October 3rd ,The day before our flight.
It's hard to believe these things happen to you. Late Monday morning we were struggling to get the office squared away. The kids were with us and they were awesome. Just played. No complaints. Cammi had been upstairs alone and I didn't want her to be alone. So I brought her downstairs so I could keep an eye on her.
Unfortunately she found the one thing that could seriously harm her. Sodium hydroxide An industrial cleaner. With the corrosive signs on it. A hand being eroded away from the liquid. We both had our backs turned for 1 minute and all of the sudden blood curdling screams are coming from Cammeron her hands at her mouth. I went over to her tried to take whatever was hurting her away. When Steve shouts " get her in the car and to the hospital NOW!" I still hadn't clued in as to what had harmed her until he mentioned that if she drank what was in that barrel she would be in serious trouble. That's when I looked at her mouth. Blood and saliva spilling out. Her lips and tongue swollen to three times their normal size. Then it hit me. This is serious. Life threatening. I scramble up the stairs with her still screaming in my arms. Steve is still telling me to get to the car. But that isn't making sense to me. Finally it clicks. When in an emergency call 911. So I clambered to the phone, looked again at Cammi and couldn't bear the thought that she might not recover from this so I had to hand her off to Steve and called 911. They immediately dispatched an ambulance. And put me on line with the poison center at the Janeway (St. John's children hospital) they asked me about the chemical and how much she had drank. I had no clue. But found the tub of stuff and read the label to them. While I am running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Sweet Madison and Landon are patiently and very nervously taking care of each other while Steve is upstairs trying to get her to throw up with no avail. Desperate for something to do to help he gives her a blessing. While I barge in trying my hardest to remember how old my daughter is. He yells "23 months" oh right' I think to myself. By now we can hear the siren blaring so we go down to the paramedics who bring Cammeron and I into the ambulance to asses her. This took what felt like an eternity, but before long we were on our way.
We are wheeled into the Janeway into the arms of a dozen nurses and doctors who quickly grab her away from me to see how she is. Now I wait. Answer questions that feel ridiculous like whats our address. and phone number where are we from how much longer are we in St.Johns.
then Sweet Cammi says with all her might " MOMMY!" So they let me go to her.
A nurse was kind enough to bring us a rocking chair and we sat and cried a bit together. We got the diagnosis that because of what she got in her mouth they couldn't do anything to make it better. We had to hope for the best and wait for a scope to see if any was down her throat. I got her to fall asleep.
Since we had arrived at the hospital I was unable to get a hold of Steve. I couldn't remember his number. He had called but was not let through to me.
The doctor came in with the scope and while she was asleep put it down her throat and gave us the best news , that she hadn't burned her throat! Which meant that she would recover.
They admitted us and we went to our room in the surgery unit.
Finally Steve was able to get a phone call in to me. But was concerned because when his call came through it was answered with " hi this is Janeway surgical unit" immediate conclusion that she must be in surgery. I put his mind at ease that she wouldn't be having surgery and would recover.
It was a long hard night. One i will likely never forget.
We saw the doctor first thing in the morning and he cleared us to fly home that afternoon.
Scariest Moments of my life. Made me think about how much I take for granted how blessed I am. Certainly put life in perspective. Our last week in St. Johns was extremely stressful and then top it off with what happened to Cammi. We were more than ready to come home.
I have to thank all of the wonderful people that helped so much in those last days. People we will be forever grateful for knowing. The Greens and Juliet and Victoria. There are not words to express how grateful i am to you. Thank you all soooooo much.
We did make it onto our plane. And as many of you know Cammi screamed the whole time on both flights, minus about half an hour where she fell asleep. For the most part no one minded the screaming and if they did a quick explaination as to why she was in so much pain quieted any complainers.
Walking through the gates to the arms of family was wonderful. We were all so tired and happy to see those that came. I might not have said it at the time but it was really nice to see you all. Thanks.
Cammeron has since made a full recovery. Our doctor took a look at her mouth and said that other than a few spots where her taste buds might not return she wouldnt have even known there was a burn.
Madison has started Kindergarten and is loving it. She was quick to make friends and is doing really well.
Landon has had a hard time adjusting to being back in Calgary. I think that now that we have been back for a little over a month he is getting back into the groove.
On the 21st of October our sweet Cammeron turned 2!!!
We had family over to celebrate! She was happy to open presents. She Got a beautiful brown coat and matching boots, some new winter crocs.A talking dinosaur , A stroller and a new doll and a big hit was a xylophone!
Playing with her new doll putting Mr.Potato head glasses on her!
There was a tradition started this year. A pumpkin carving night! We got together at Drew and Jacqueline's house and carved our pumpkins. It was a ton of fun and the pumpkins turned out great!
Madison and My pumpkin! A castle with bats!
My Tree pumpkin that I made right before Halloween started! I am quite proud of it.
So since returning home we were car less because the back tires on our little car wouldn't move. Thankfully we have wonderful friends with an extra vehicle and they lent it to us till we bought one. This is our Pontiac Montana that we owned for a whopping 2 days. Until the dealership we were trying to buy a new van from finally got their act together. So now we have a brand new 2012 Grand Caravan. We are very happy with it! But i don't have a picture of it so you will just have to see us in person!
Hair cuts.
Poser
I signed up to play in the stake volley ball tournament. I had a blast! I really hope we can do it again.
And we visited the new science center called Telus Spark. Lots of fun but really expensive.
Kira and her fantastic Granny Bowl!
My get the best score bowl!
