OT - please hug your kids, and loved ones, extra hard tonight...

caliking

I was asked to see a 2 yo kid who had nearly drowned yesterday. Was at his grandpa's place, mom popped out to do some errands. Grandpa was getting dinner ready, lighting the grill etc. Mom returned, and they couldn't find the child. Neighborhood search found him facedown in a nearby pond. The duration of submersion was unknown. Child had a pulse after 75mins of CPR, but not much else. 

The kid is in multisystem organ failure. I've been helping to deal with some of that for the last day or two. He's nearly brain dead. Met the distraught parents this morning. I'm usually good about staying composed and collected, but didn't do too well today. I can't even imagine this family's grief. 

Came home and hugged caliprince, until he thought his ribs might crack. Things can change in the blink of an eye. 

Sorry for the maudlin post, but just needed to unload a tad. 

Be well, y'all.

lousubcap

That is so hard to comprehend all the way around.  I hope your post will focus others and preclude follow-on events.
As I told my son and his wife  during their run-up to becoming parents, (now about a year ago), here is the question that always needs a positive answer, especially during a hand-off, "Who's got the kid watch?"  And that is to the exclusion of anything else.  

Battleborn

Those things are super tough to get through. I have seen my fair share of horrible stuff. I don't know you from anyone, but if you need to talk about it,  shoot me a PM and I will send my number. 

RRP

So sad. The 2 yo is going to an early grave, though perhaps the parents will donate harvested organs so others may live. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I don’t know how you guys do it but I’m sure glad you do. 

Canugghead

So horrible and sad.  Matter of fact, we are new grandparents and will soon be helping to watch the little one. Thanks for the PSA.

SciAggie

That’s a tough situation for sure. A tragedy that breaks your heart. Hang in there my friend. 

20stone

Between having four sons and being an idiot myself, we’ve had our share of scares and close calls...and even though they’re out of the house now.  This is a good reminder too keep holding them tight.  

thetrim

Fahk dude.  That's really horrible to hear, but I appreciate you sharing it with the collective here.

I believe in the power of prayer, and I appreciate what you did for this young on and the parents.

Godspeed young one....

dmchicago

That’s a tough deal for all involved including you. 

I hope for the best outcome. 

I barely know you but if it were my kid, I’d want you involved. 

Legume

I don’t even know what to say.

I’m glad you chose to share.  Hope you’re well.

caliking

Thank you, all. Please keep this young one, and his family, in your thoughts or prayers. 

caliking

Battleborn said:

Those things are super tough to get through. I have seen my fair share of horrible stuff. I don't know you from anyone, but if you need to talk about it,  shoot me a PM and I will send my number. 

Thank you. I trained, and worked at, trauma centers for all of my career thus far, so I'm no stranger to this. But, it does make it harder that these are children. 

caliking

RRP said:

So sad. The 2 yo is going to an early grave, though perhaps the parents will donate harvested organs so others may live. 

Macabre as it may sound, this is actually the solace that many families find. 

caliking

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

I don’t know how you guys do it but I’m sure glad you do. 

Despite times like this, I can't imagine doing anything else. 

caliking

dmchicago said:

That’s a tough deal for all involved including you. 

I hope for the best outcome. 

I barely know you but if it were my kid, I’d want you involved. 

I always tell everyone involved, that these are not just kids... they're my kids. The day I can't say that, is the day I need to quit. 

Was up most of last night helping the PICU staff with this kid, so I'm going to turn in. 


Please know that the kind words, and thoughts, are much appreciated. 

GrateEggspectations

lousubcap said:

That is so hard to comprehend all the way around.  I hope your post will focus others and preclude follow-on events.
As I told my son and his wife  during their run-up to becoming parents, (now about a year ago), here is the question that always needs a positive answer, especially during a hand-off, "Who's got the kid watch?"  And that is to the exclusion of anything else.  

Very wise advice here. In gatherings, it’s easy to assume that, given numerous adults, the kids are well-covered. In reality, the opposite can be true, as responsibility becomes disperse and assumptions can be made about the level of supervision others are offering. Assigning clear lines of responsibility, even if only for a minute or two, are your best defense.

So very tragic. 

JohnInCarolina

Yikes buddy I feel for you.  All I can say is, knowing you, I’m hard pressed to think of a better person to take care of little kids.

northGAcock

A tragic story and one those parents will have to live with. If you didn’t let this stuff get to you, you ought not be in your line of work. Thanks for all you do.....and prayers for the family. 

The great things about kids is the hug you back. 

fishlessman

this is horrible, could not imagine that and especially with a 2 year old

was driving down the road years ago and came across a toddler beating feet. looked like she just learned to walk. pulled over and picked her up and put her on the seat and started blaring the horn. about a good twenty minutes passed before dad came running down the road. he thanked me and then commented that his wife would have killed him, couldnt believe it

Foghorn

Sorry for this family's tragedy and what all around are having to go through.  Provider fatigue is real and your thoughts on it are spot on.  When I stop crying when I'm faced with situations like this it will be time to hang up the scalpel and stethoscope.  Call me if you want to chat.  We can share some stories and tears... or talk about the great venison sausage we're going to make sometime in the future just for a distraction.

the_crease

Such a terribly sad situation for everybody involved.  The grief of the family must be indescribable.  The empathy and compassion you have for this boy and his family reveals your character, and that you care.  Such sage advice to not take anything for granted.  Thank you for what you do.  

Canugghead

Read your post again. C’mon, sorry for the post? We can’t appreciate and thank you enough for what you do. Hard to imagine the emotional toll of dealing with such horrific incidents long term. Respect.

RRP

caliking said:

RRP said:

So sad. The 2 yo is going to an early grave, though perhaps the parents will donate harvested organs so others may live. 

Macabre as it may sound, this is actually the solace that many families find. 

My Father was legally blind, but received "eyes" of a dead accident victim and my dad saw for another 20 years.

My sister had congestive heart failure but lived another 24 years after receiving the heart from a 17 year old male accident victim.

My wife's grandmother donated her body to the U of MO for medical research.

lkapigian

Hold them close in your heart everyday, sad but thanks for sharing 

EagleIII

@caliking - Thanks for sharing that burden.  I hope it helped you in some small way.  Thank you for what you do, each and every day.  I hope the family can know that prayers for their strength and healing are being sent their way.

bucky925

@caliking.  Any support we can provide you have my contact info.   I'm pretty useless but Mrs. B is a jewel of comfort with this type of thing.

Matt86m

That's tough for sure. I have had some dealings similar to this and as said before, PM me your number and we can chat

Dig deep and do all you can!

GATraveller

Such a terrible situation for all involved. Can't even begin to imagine the overwhelming sadness with a loss of a child like that.  It's just not the natural progression of life. Hang in there!  Praying for this family and you. 

Gulfcoastguy

I once had to redirect traffic around an accident. Two high school kids ran into the back of a school bus at full speed. I was trying to keep traffic away from the EMTs while they were cutting the car to pieces in order to remove the bodies. One car kept try to come through. Finally she stopped and started to run past. It was one of the kids mother. I couldn’t leave my post in order to stop her before she got an eyeful. Probably 25 years ago and I will never forget it and I am sure she hasn’t.