I'm OK Now Grandma!

When I was in my twenties, I started calling my mom after scary episodes (spraigning my ankle in Israel and going to the hospital for one). I would start the conversation off with, "I'm ok now, Mom." This has always stressed my mom out, for some reason.

On Wednesday, I had to call my mom yet again. This time I said, "I'm ok now, Grandma," on Scarlet's behalf - since it was her with the scary episode.

At about 4:00pm, Wednesday afternoon, I was home alone with Scarlet. (Len was on his way home from work - he is still on paternity leave, but goes in once a week.) I had just finished feeding her when I noticed that her hands and feet started turning blue. Yes, BLUE! I didn't want to panic, especially since she was happy, cooing, alert, and didn't seem the least bit stressed. So I looked it up in the Kaiser health book - thinking some sort of strange rash. There was a web like design of blue and white going up her arms and legs. I didn't look at the book for very long at all, since I saw it was getting worse. So, I called the Kaiser advice line on one phone and Len on the other. They put me on hold, and he was in the driveway.

When he came in, I showed him her now purple feet and fingers and blue legs and arms. I asked him if he saw what I saw - he did - and we proceeded to pack her up, while still on hold. Kaiser finally answered - once we had her in the car seat. I explained the situation and they told me to immediately call 911. As panic stricken as I was inside, I remained calm and did what they told me to do.

After dialing 911, the ambulance was there in minutes and Scarlet Rose was back to her rosy color. Isn't that just like kids? They play tricks on you when you are alone - and are on their best behavior in front of others. They checked her stats - she was completely fine. They suggested taking her into the hospital to be safe. So, I got to ride in the ambulance with my one week (corrected age) old daughter. I tell you, that is an experience I never wanted and I will never forget. But, still, I remained calm.

During the ride, Scarlet was fine, smiling and cooing even. She eventually fell asleep. So, I struck up a conversation with the paramedic. I asked about his job - and we eventaully got to talking about how they pick up alot of new moms concerned about their babies. They call it "New Mom Syndrome." He even gave me the example of moms panicing over their babies having seisures and calling 911. I thought blue babies and seizure babies were cause for 911 concern. Maybe I am wrong.

When we got to the hospital, he told the admitting nurse what had happened, all her stats, and everything. I also heard him say, "It's NMS," to which she nodded with an "Ah." Nevertheless, we were seen by a doctor and then a pediatrician. The pediatrician said that it is normal for babies to turn blue in their extremities - we only worry about it if their face, mouth, or torso turns blue. Um, ok. He told us to follow up the next day with her pedicatrician.

Shell shocked, we went home and did just that. Her pediatrician said the same thing. He diagnosed it as acrocyanosis. He said not to worry about it - babies sometimes have poor circulation and can turn blue. Hm. He also said to be concerned if her mouth, face, or torso turns blue. Ok.

I had my mom look it up on line - and she said we need to stimulate her if it happens again - somehow blood is being cut off and she needs help getting the blood flow to the arm or leg. What I am questioning, though, is it was all four extremities at the same time. And, it happened again yesterday and again this morning.

So, we have an appointment with her neonatologist specialist on Monday. Hopefully we can get more answers. We will also be following up with her still throwing up and irritability. We are getting mylicon today - hopefully that will help.

Here's Scarlet taking nap in her daddy's lap in the emergency room. Apparently all of the excitement was just too much for her. But she really liked riding in the big truck.
I tell ya, this motherhood thing isn't for the weak. And if I am suffering from "NMS," so be it! I'd rather have that diagnosis (even though I was told to call 911 and didn't panic) than not do anything and regret it later. But, we're ok now, Grandma!