Nearly a week ago, I posted this on Facebook, about Sweetpea:
“Now that things have calmed down, I’d like to share a bit more. PLEASE do not call 911 unless it’s an emergency.
F had a choking episode on Friday (which we think is related to the episode on Saturday that put her in the Critical Care Unit at Sick Kids). I called 911, but it was during the wind storm. I was on hold for 5 MINUTES while my daughter gasped for breath in my arms, because of the high call volume. I hung up and called my friend, who is a paramedic, because I needed to know what to do. 911 called me back a minute or so later. By this time, her breathing was returning to normal (thankfully). They sent an ambulance, but at 8 minutes it was redirected (because her breathing had regulated) and I ended up having to wait 25 minutes for an ambulance to come and check her. At this point she was fine, but it is terrifying to be put on hold while your child is gasping for breath. I am soooo thankful to God that it wasn’t the following night.
The next night, she had another episode, but it wasn’t clearing. We called 911 and an ambulance came right away (maybe 3 minutes) and the took her immediately and started to work on her. It was not good. She arrived Code Blue, and they immediately set to work. Thankfully it looks like she’ll make a full recovery but it was the most terrifying experience of our lives.
Please do not call 911 for non-emergencies. Friday night they were overwhelmed with calls about downed hydro wires. You have to call Toronto hydro for that. EMS and Toronto Police were asking people to stop calling 911 with these calls. When minutes, and even seconds, count you don’t want to be put on hold.
We are so thankful for all the work the nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists have done to ensure this healthy outcome.
Thank you to all of our family and friends for your outpouring of support and love. It means the world to us.
We are so thankful to God for His hand over us throughout this experience. He is good.” He is good, all the time.
This is what caused the aspiration:
Sometimes the unthinkable happens. Sweetpea in now home, and doing very well. If you’d like to read or see more, our story was featured on Global News.
Blessings,
Liz
March 24, 2020 at 6:22 am
Hi Mikhai! I’m so sorry for the delay in my response! In short, we don’t know exactly what it was that she inhaled. I suspect that it might have been a piece of chicken cartilage, as we were eating chicken at the time, and she likes to gnaw on the bone. However, unfortunately, it can happen with anything. It’s just one of those things… Thank you for reading!!!