Sunday, May 27, 2007

Choked

I have a great fear of choking, and an even greater fear of one of my children choking. So, one of my biggest nightmares came true this afternoon as Ava choked on a piece of hard candy. Cody was being careful in that he gave Ava and Nate a small chunk of peppermint instead of the entire thing, but it was large enough to get lodged in her throat. I heard her choking from another room and rushed in to help. She was gasping for air and writhing with fear. Cody got a firm grip on her and was trying to help her. Drool was coming from her mouth, but she couldn't get the candy out. Now Cody and I are both really good about at least appearing calm during frightening incidents, but when I asked him if he thought he needed to do the Heimlich he responded "I think I do" in a panic-twinged voice that revealed to me that he was indeed scared. I kept chanting my "choking mantra" in my mind, which is, "As long as she's making sound, then some air is getting in. It's going to be okay." But even though she was making some slight sounds, the candy was obviously lodged in her windpipe or esphagus and was not coming loose. Cody did what might have been the Heimlich. I am not sure because I did not get a good view, and also because it didn't seem to accomplish anything. I was about two seconds away from calling 911 when finally she spit some stuff up and was making more sound. Then a few seconds later the piece of candy came out. She started crying loudly, which was the best sound I have heard in a long time. Cody held her in a chair for a while to comfort her and I got her a cup of water. I realized as I held the cup that my hand was shaking uncontrollably. After I gave them the water I went to another room and just cried. Later I made Cody promise that he would not ever give the kids any hard candy for at least a couple of more years. I can't take another experience like that any time soon.

6 comments:

Kristi said...

I am so glad that she is okay! I'll bet that was really scarry for all of you. I am sending up a pray of thanks right now!!

Elaine said...

ditto. sounds like you both did a good job of staying calm under pressure.

Lindsay said...

Oh my! That is my worst fear as well. I am so glad she is okay. God gave you the peace you needed even though you felt like breaking down.

H. Heflin said...

That is very scary! I'm so glad things turned out well.

We may have told you that Matalee choked on a peppermint once while we were driving. We pulled over and Karen performed the heimlich to get it out. Those were intense seconds!

Quad Squad! said...

I think I held my breath the entire time I read that! I'm so thankful Ava is okay!

Dara said...

I am so glad Ava is ok. Yes, that is one of my many parental fears!!!

When I was a teenager babysitting at 2yr old little boy, he got a piece of hard candy lodged with no sounds at all only tears streaming down his cheeks and lips turning blue. I immediately turned him upside down and gave his stomach a big pump and out it popped along with his entire dinner. I have never been so relieved!