What happens the morning after the night you complain that your life is getting to be too much for you to deal with

Today I made my third ever call to 911.  The first time was to report the downstairs neighbors who sounded like they were throwing cinder blocks at each other.  I said I NEED FOR THIS TO BE ANONYMOUS and the police came and said, your neighbors up there called because they were worried about you.  So, that didn’t go so well.  They moved soon after and so did I, thankfully.  The second time was when I learned that if you push down ANY BUTTON on a cell phone for over ten seconds (like, say if the phone is in the back pocket of your jeans and you’ve had too many cheese and avocado sandwiches, perhaps with a little mayo, and the pocket is a bit tight, theoretically), you will be connected with emergency dispatchers.  You will then apologize so profusely that you waste even more of their time.

Today’s call was different, though.  Today was about one of my kids.  (Before I drag this out, she is fine.)  I’ve called poison control twice, but never 911.  Poison control calls: Lexy ate some make up (a prescriptives cover up stick) when he was a baby, and hmmmm, the second one I forget now, but I think it was Sophie-related.  Maybe she ate soap?  Today, though, was Willow-related.  I wrote before about her lips turning purple.  It’s happened about five or six times, that I’ve seen, that is.  She never acted like anything at all was wrong, and until the last time, eight days ago, I wasn’t even sure if I was seeing purple lips or a shadow.  By the time I’d notice and try to get a better look, it would have cleared up.  But, last time was pronounced enough to warrant a doctor visit.  The doctor gave us a cardiology referral, but said that with no other symptoms, it was an unusual thing.  Probably nothing to be alarmed about.  This morning when her lips turned bright purple and the area around her mouth looked blue and her fingers and part of her hands were purplish blue and cold, I did get alarmed. 

I called 911.  They were as helpful as they could be, which means that the people I spoke to were kind, but unable to advise me.  I decided not to have an ambulance sent, because she was running and jumping and laughing and talking and playing catch with Nate.  I took Sophie to her first day of preschool, calling my mom on the way and asking for her help. By the time we got Soph to school, about ten minutes after I noticed Willow’s symptoms, she was back to normal.  I went back home – Sophie was so unconcerned with me dropping her off in a place she’d never seen before and I was grateful – and met my mom.  We did the carseat shuffle, and then I took Willow to the doctor.  I wouldn’t be surprised if my mom quits taking my calls the way I abuse her.  She was headed to the office, but came to my house instead so I could take Willow to the urgent care.  She left shortly after I did to drop off Nate and pick up Sophie within ten minutes of each other.  In the rain.  With a feverish and cranky Lexy who I bet was a pain about leaving his nest of blankets on the couch.   

What’s wrong with Willow?  Don’t know.  Seems like X, but if it were X, it would last all day, not ten minutes.  Seems like Y, but if it were Y, it would’ve been picked up on her earlier workup.  Could be Z, but then she’d be agitated and tired while she turned blue.  So, we’ll see the cardiologist, I hope sooner rather than later.  The doctor today stressed to me that she’s okay and I don’t have to stay up all night with a flash light checking on her.  Really, I don’t.  I need to watch for it to happen again, duh, and time it, and notice if she starts having trouble breathing or if she squats down or seems agitated.  I need to keep in mind what she’s eating; any nitrates, preservatives, medicines, and so forth.  I need to see if it happens when she cries or is cold.  I need to check her feet next time, and I think I’ll listen to her heart, too, if I can.  We have a stethoscope from when we had to listen for her feeding tube air bubbles last year.  Not that I know what to listen for, but I could probably hear an irregular beat, I imagine. 

I held it together pretty well.  I waited to really cry until late tonight, and that was just a mix of fear and of thinking of all the children that do have really horrible things wrong with them and how bad things happening to kids violates any idea that things are ever even close to being fair.  The idea that her heart is not working right makes me nauseated, and it puts a cold spot in my stomach, but she’s happy and not stressed or hurting, so I hope that the doctors are right when they say that means she’s okay.  He did tell me that anything serious or life threatening would certainly have stopped her from running and playing.  He’s probably right.  But doctors learn as they go, because there’s too much stuff that can happen with our bodies to know it all.  I need to think he’s right though, or I’ll lose it.

Sophie LOVES school.  LOVES it.  I think Lexy has bronchitis; he’s running fever off and on and coughing with a little wheezy rattle at the tail end of it.  Tomorrow will be his turn to visit the doctor, unless he makes a nighttime recovery. 

Remember how I was thinking I’d get a job?  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I haven’t even got one and I’m already fired for missing too many days.  Between taking Lexy in for his arm/physical therapy, Sophie having some midevil stomach virus, Willow having two trips in two weeks for ear infections – plus today’s visit – and Lexy’s probable upcoming visit for his fevery cough ALL THIS MONTH, PEOPLE, I would have missed more days than not.  So, I guess that decides it for me, for now anyway. 

I think I ought to go check on Willow one more time – the light is on in the girls room – and get some sleep.  I’m reading a good book, so that helps distract me.      

11 thoughts on “What happens the morning after the night you complain that your life is getting to be too much for you to deal with

  1. C.J

    Hello!
    I am a childcare worker and I have a child in my toddler class whose lips and fingers turn purplish-blue. Her mother was told it was dehydration, but I’m not convinced. It seems obvious that it’s a circulation issue…? Your web-site was the only hit on my google search for “purple lips” that wasn’t pornographic! I look forward to reading about your findings, and I hope that your daughter is healthy! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Jenijen

    Hey there C.J. You know, I’ve seen lots of google hits in my counter for purple lips and hands in kids. I’m glad that you left a comment. I really don’t think dehydration gives a person cyanosis (that’s the purple-ness). I’ve been hospitalized with dehydration myself more than once and I didn’t have that problem. Everyone is different, though. The most obvious thing with the blue lips is a heart condition, but if the child has been seen by a doctor, I’m sure they’ve checked that. You might want to look and see during the epidodes if the child is having a hard time breathing, seems tired, or squats down.

    All kids should have such thoughtful caretakers, C.J. Hope the little one is okay.

    Reply
  3. Michelle

    Found this while searching for pediatric problems that include bluish/purplish lips. My 13 month old has this problem (he, too, runs and plays like usual throughout the color change episodes). Last week he was sent in for an EKG, chest xrays and blood work— all of which came back normal. He was admitted for observation for a full day and– of course– he didn’t have a single blue/purple lip episode in the hospital. He has continued to have episodes at home and I’m taking pictures to take to his doctor for his followup appointment.

    For now at least, they are calling it acrocyanosis, as opposed to central cyanosis. Acrocyanosis is not considered serious and is related to temperature-regulation issues that usually go away with age. Central cyanosis is much more serious and usually involves serious problems with the heart or lungs. The key to telling the difference, according to our pediatrician, is whether or not the tongue changes color as well. If so, push hard for a full work up right away! Look up cyanosis on google– there is a lot of information out there.

    Be patient– this has been a long process so far. We noticed the symptoms almost 2 weeks ago and had to change pediatricians a week into it before we were referred for testing. If you have questions, feel free to email me at weidner@hotmail.com

    Michelle
    Peoria, IL

    Reply
  4. blue

    hello,

    hi well this is my first time having to look up purple lips.what happen was that my mom recived a call last night and they told her that her dad and brother had gotten into a big fight.My mom got so worried and they just keep telling her all this stuffs.Suddently she could’nt even cry or breath she turn purple her lips turn purple we got so scared i didnt know what to do or neither my dad.We told her if she needed and ambulance but she didnt want to .So i went out and bought alcohol and rub it in her head did i do the right thing.i need help

    Reply
  5. Danyelle

    My son (15mnths) also has these episodes. The first time i noticed this was when he was 3mnths old. I went to get him out of his crib and his arms, legs (hands and feet) were all purple or blue if you will. And other episodes have included his lips. With a full heart workup and a huge hospital bill they diagnosed it as acrocy-ya whatever. BUT he is doing it again. that is supposed to correct its self with age. What brings me here tonight was a google of blue lips, vomiting, and fever. Im sure its a stomach virus but why the color changes again? I dont think he is very dehydrated, a little maybe…but not merited for an er visit. sigh.

    Reply
  6. Danyelle

    My son (15mnths) also has these episodes. The first time i noticed this was when he was 3mnths old. I went to get him out of his crib and his arms, legs (hands and feet) were all purple or blue if you will. And other episodes have included his lips. With a full heart workup and a huge hospital bill they diagnosed it as acrocy-ya whatever. BUT he is doing it again. that is supposed to correct its self with age. What brings me here tonight was a google of blue lips, vomiting, and fever. Im sure its a stomach virus but why the color changes again? I dont think he is very dehydrated, a little maybe…but not merited for an er visit. sigh.

    Reply
  7. Kate

    Hi All, It is sort of comforting to find this thread. My son is 2 yrs old and has had 8-10 episodes of purple fingertips, and today his big toes turned purple too. I am terrified, but he had blood work done and was normal. He doesn’t have any heart trouble. This never happened as an infant, which I have read is common, but only began around his 2nd birthday. We are waiting to see a rheumatologist. Appt in August! I’m losing it!

    Reply
  8. kennett

    i am 28 years old and last year for the first time i experienced the corner of my lips getting purple. i suffer from angular chilitis and at first i thought it was the reason for it. however, i have had no problem with that since last year around this same time, yet everytime i vomit my lips still turn a deep purple around the corners. i can not for the life of me figure out what is going on! it doesn’t hurt it just an eye sore! do you have any ideas?

    Reply
  9. Jen

    Thank you for all these posts. My 18 month old just had this happen for the first time. His toes turned purple blue as did his lips and the area around his mouth. It seemed like he was having trouble breathing too. He didn’t want me to put him down. I did call 911 because I totally panicked. Later that evening I did take him to the ER but the docs said they really didn’t know what could have caused it. They did some basic blood work and treated him for hives and an ear infection. I had never seen hives before that day either. I will follow up with our pediatrician. Thank you for giving me a direction to go in.

    Reply

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