So we stayed at the hospital for about three to four hours. I continued to feel as though I wasn't getting any answers, but I was happy that DS seemed to be perking up some. They discharged us telling us to of course come back if anything changed, and also to follow up with DS's pediatrician.
We left unsure of what had happened and still unsure of whether DS had a seizure or not. My guilt had eased a tiny bit because the ER doctors had said DS didn't seem dehydrated, but this left me really wondering what had happened.
At this point, it was nearing 1pm and DS hadn't eaten anything all day. We decided to grab something in the hospital food court. DS ordered a turkey sandwich and some grapes. I was glad he showed some interest in food. He was still acting sleepy, but at least he was talking to us again. So we all sat down to eat, and DS ate one grape. He said he couldn't eat anymore. This worried me, but he looked so tired that I thought he might just need to sleep.
Right as we were finishing up, POR called to see what they could do to help us. Isn't Disney just great?! We told them we were planning to call a cab to get back to the resort soon. They told me to bring the receipt for the cab ride to the concierge and they would reimburse me. I was so impressed.
We waited a few minutes for the cab, and we had the best cab driver ever! He was the sweetest thing and was so concerned for DS. Anyway, we got back to POR in one piece. I asked Carolyn to take DS back to the room so that I could go and speak with the CMs at POR.
I went to the desk and gave them the receipt for the cab ride and they gave me back the money. I then told them I might need a favor. I was very concerned that DS wouldn't be able to handle going to a park the next day, but I also knew we were supposed to be checking out of POR by 11am. We didn't need to board ME to get back to the airport until 5pm. I asked if I could be allowed to possibly pay for a room for an extra night so that DS could rest through the day. I explained that we would be leaving before 5, but that I would be happy to pay for the night if it meant that DS could rest if needed.
Well........ when they said I should ask if we needed anything... I guess they didn't mean to really ask for something. The CM explained that I could indeed pay for another day but that a room wouldn't be available until 3. I told her that our room had been available earlier than that, and I knew that was luck, but I was really hoping there was some way they could give me a room somewhere that could let him rest after check out. The CM said there was nothing she could do. We would have to check out and then they could guarantee me a room at 3pm. Then she smiled and asked if I wanted her to book that room.
No... I didn't.
I went back to the room feeling a bit defeated by my interaction with that CM, but figured we could deal with it in the morning. The hospital had told us we didn't need to restrict anything for DS so I had hopes that he would be OK in the morning.
So I went back to the room where DS was already asleep and Carolyn looked like she needed a nap. We all decided a nap would be good, and I slept with my hand on DS's belly just like when he was a baby. Looking at his little face just made me feel so blessed that he was OK.
We woke up to Jen coming back to the room around 4. She had a surprise for DS...so that helped to wake him up. When we were walking around AK for that little bit of time DS had seen a set of bongos that he asked if he could buy with some of his money. I had told him we could look at them later, and if he still wanted them he could get them. Jen bought him the bongos!
He was sleepy but happy. We all had reservations for T-Rex for dinner, but I was so unsure about whether we should take DS. Everyone assured me we still had to eat, and DS really wanted to go be with his cousin. So we slowly got ready and decided to try out T-Rex. At this point, I realized I hadn't taken any pictures throughout the day (with good reason!), but looking at DS's gorgeous little face reminded me I wanted to take as many pics as possible even after the day's events.
We hopped on the boat to DTD. I LOVE this!!! It's so nice to have an alternative to bus transportation.
Just look at that sweet face!
I still thought DS didn't look great but he was interested in spending time with his cousin again, so that was a good sign. The boat dropped us off and we walked over to T-Rex. DS had brought money with him on the trip and he had been so excited to get to DTD so that he could spend some of it. First though, I really wanted him to eat something since he still wasn't eating for me. I tried to force feed him in the room but he really wasn't having it.
So we put our names in at T-Rex which was very busy. So glad we had an ADR.
The boys went over to dig through the sand for bones, but they called us to sit down right after they started to play. As we walked into the restaurant, the boys were in love! They both just thought it was the coolest thing ever.
We were seated in the room with ice (I think) that changed color every few minutes. We took some pics.
DS does not look well in this pic.
Anyway, we ordered our food. I ordered a burger and fries (very good), Carolyn ordered a steak (just OK), and DS ordered the mac and cheese (he described it as delicious). I can't remember what Jen and Jaden ordered. I was beginning to worry about DS again.
DS ate two bites of his "delicious"macaroni and cheese and asked if he had to eat any more. I was really getting worried again. DS said he was tired and he laid down on the seat. He wouldn't eat anymore, so I felt like it was time to go. We still had dessert coming out, but I didn't want to wait. I gave my sisters money for the tip and told DS we needed to get back to the room. He reminded me that he had been looking forward to Build-A-Dino for months. So, I took both boys to build their own dinos quickly before leaving. DS moved very slowly but insisted he was OK.
Well, when they were filling his dino I looked down and DS had started to lay down right on the floor. He said he couldn't stand anymore or even sit up. Now I was (internally) starting to freak again. I got both boys a naked dinosaur each and sent Jaden back to his mother.
I decided there was no way we were going to make it back to the boat entrance for POR, so I asked the Build-A-Dino CMs where I could find a cab. They explained that they were always behind the restaurant.
I took DS to wait (I told Carolyn, Jen, and Jaden to shop around and not ruin their night) behind the restaurant. At this point I had to carry my nearly 60lb DS. I knew I couldn't carry him long so it was important to find a cab. Well we waited and waited and I started to worry we wouldn't find anything. There is a small restaurant next to T-Rex that has an outdoor eating area with a bar. I walked over there to see if I could get someone to call a cab, still carrying DS who was trying to fall asleep on my shoulders like a tiny baby.
The CM there told me that a cab really should come by soon, so I went back to wait again.
I have to tell a side story here. When we went to the bar to talk with that CM, there was a couple sitting there. They listened to me tell the CM that DS had been hospitalized earlier in the day and that I needed to find a way to get a cab, the man in the couple offered to carry DS to the POR boat for me. I didn't take him up on it, but it was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for me. He was just sitting with his wife and immediately offered to carry a heavy, sleepy DS for me. What a great couple. The wife asked what they could do for us. It just makes me smile when people are so good to one another.
Anyway, I finally got a cab and took DS back to POR. The walk back to the room (which was really close) was tough, but we made it. DS was exhausted and I hoped some sleep would help.
My poor boy
Once DS was asleep I called his pediatrician and explained the events of the day. She was so unhappy with the hospital for the lack of testing, but she said there was nothing we could do at the time. She of course urged me to watch him closely and take him back to the hospital immediately if there were any signs that he might not be OK. She told me to follow up for sure with them when we got back. I was worried about flying with him but she said she thought he would be OK. She also told me that the shaking nearly positively indicated a seizure and she explained that seizures can present very differently in different people. Again, she stated that she was upset that the hospital hadn't done more.
Carolyn, Jen, and Jaden came back early and when Jen saw AJ (DS) she decided there was no way that POR wasn't going to help if DS needed to rest. She went down to the lobby and when she came back she said a manager would be calling. Sure enough a manager called and apologized and said that we could have the room directly next door for no charge whatsoever and could check out just before leaving. I was so grateful to Jen and that manager (who also gave us one day park tickets for the future since we missed out on all of AK). We all went to sleep not knowing what tomorrow would bring for DS.
Next Post- Follow up with Pediatrician and How DS is Now
I just hope we never experience it again, but this story has made me find many, many other parents who seem to share in this experience. Many people have children who had only one seizure and never another. So that's uplifting.
