Fourth of July Fail

This 4th was a bust as we spent it in the Williamson Medical Emergency Room but right now as I watch my sweet boy cuddling on the couch, I am so grateful he is healthy after the emotional roller coaster ride we endured today. There is nothing worse than watching your child cry and wince in pain and have no idea what is wrong with them. As a mother, I have never felt more frustrated and helpless.


A couple of days ago we noticed Mason was holding his head and neck kind of funny. We didn't think much about it because he was still playing normally and not really complaining. Yesterday, he was a little more irritable than normal but we attributed that to extended time on the boat without a good nap. About 3am last night/today he woke up screaming and holding the back of his neck. He was inconsolable to a point and then he was all of a sudden fine. He slept an hour or two in our bed but not before repeatedly kicking the crap out of me. Mason is the worst bedmate ever.. I am so glad I am not one of those parents let my child sleep in bed with me from the beginning. I can't imagine ever getting a good nights sleep with that little terror in my bed. So when we finally woke up this morning, he couldn't even transition himself from laying down to sitting up position and once I helped him sit up he couldn't move his neck in any direction and was screaming in pain. So many thoughts ran through my head but the only thing I could think about was packing my stuff (we were in Smithville) and getting the heck back home to take him to the doctor. We were packed and on the road by 8:15am. After finding out that our pediatricians office and the local walk in clinic were closed for the holiday we headed to the E.R. After waiting quite a while his conditioned worsened and I about had a nervous breakdown in the waiting room. It took everything I had in me to 1) not fall apart in tears along with Mason and 2) not bypass all these other people and demand to see a doctor immediately. When we were finally called back (sigh of relief) when the nurse realized his condition worsened and they said the doctor was on his way. I immediately asked him if he thought it was Meningitis- the word that caused my emotional meltdown. Thankfully his symptoms were similar but didn't exactly coincide with those of meningitis (second sigh of relief).


Mason was diagnosed with Torticollis, a tilting or turning of the head as a result of muscle spasms. The nurse described it as a charlie horse in his neck. They gave him some pain meds, took some X-rays and all that only took about 4 hours. He is doing better but still in pain so we are definitely having a low key 4th of July.


And here's some irony for you: It was exactly 2 years ago today, that I was in the very same E.R waiting room in labor with Mason. I can't believe he is going to be 2 years old tomorrow. We are so thankful and fortunate to have a healthy little boy. Please continue to pray for Mason and complete healing.




Happy 4th everyone. Hope yours is a little less eventful!