So here's my story. On the 11th of Jan Lucy climbed up the tree so high that I had to call the fire service. I mean as high as our roof high. About 5 meters! I could not get her down and it took 2 big men to hold the ladder with a rope and one fireman to go up and retrieve her. This tree incident got our adrenaline pumping but not much fear was involved. Lucy's little bottom was perched well between a forked branch. She even enjoyed the view. Cheeky Monkey! After Lucy was nicely told not to climb so high, the kids and I got pictures with the fireman. These guys happily handed out stickers, rulers and high fives.
About an hour later God firmly prompted my heart to pray for continued protection and for extra angles. I had no idea what was ahead of me that same day. My friend invited the kids and I for over for a swim. There were 3 of us mother's and 7 kids in total swimming in the pool. Including my two. All aged from 3-10. We were having fun. The children were playing a game, and I continued to scan the kids. But sadly we had our backs turned for a few minutes too long. Lucy accidentally swam into the deep end, lost her footing and goggles filled with water blurring her vision. I suddenly had a feeling of panic and a vision of her at the bottom of the pool came into my mind. Urgently I asked 'where's Lucy?' My friend turned around and there we saw Lucy. She was floating still, with her head down. In an instant my friend called out to Jesus. She pulled her out and lay Lucy on the side of the pool. Lucy was blue, unconscious and not breathing. One friend went to ring the ambulance and get the other six kids out of the pool. Another friend stayed with me. I leaned over Lucy and shook her, calling her name. No response. I felt slow. I wanted to act quickly but I froze, as if my body was working in cement. My friend rolled Lucy over on her side and water spilled from her mouth. Still unconscious, blue and not breathing. My friend than asked me to pass Lucy to her and she performed the 'Heimlich maneuver' where she held Lucy up and pounded her back. Lucy's eyes opened, briefly then she went unconscious again. She pressed hard on her stomach and Lucy vomited 3-5 times while I prayed with all my heart. Breathe in Jesus name breathe! After the fifth vomit Lucy came too. I mean the water poured out. Lucy came conscious but and went from blue to pale in a state of shock. Still in shock I quietly cheered, hugged my friend and said praise the Lord! I Thanked God and my friend. I went to dress Lucy but she was not with it. She was shaking or shivering and seemed dazed and confused. The dispatcher told us to lie her in the recovery position. Three ambulance vehicles came, carrying seven paramedics in all. At least one of ambulances had their sirens on. An intensive care paramedic went to Lucy first. He placed oxygen on her face and Lucy pinked up and seemed more awake. More like Lucy. My husband came as the paramedics were carrying her up to their vehicle and he asked to hug Lucy. They let him and Lucy she cried a little. As she went into the back of the ambulance she was answering all her questions well. Where she lives, that her favourite show was Peter Rabbit, that she was 5, had a brother named Micah and so on. The paramedic spoke right at her level, was very kind and told me he has kids the same age as mine. He put us at ease. I rode with Lucy in the intensive care ambulance. I could not stop shaking so I was given a blanket. But I was able to answer the many questions that lay ahead of me. When I told him how my friend resuscitated Lucy he said it was beautiful and when my friend pounded her back it woke up her brain. For Lucy's brain had gone to sleep. Then when my friend pressed on her stomach the brain spoke to her tummy telling it to vomit. Her stomach was so full of water that her lungs were compressed. Which is why she could not breath. He then looked me seriously in the eye and told me "she almost died". Speaking from a Father's heart I know it was not easy for him to say. I looked away when he said it. I felt like vomiting and fainting all at once. I thanked God again. We got to the hospital, many paramedics surrounding us as the doors opened and Lucy was wheeled out. They asked Lucy again "what's your favourite show" Lucy said "Pepper Pig'! One paramedic joked with Lucy and said "my kids call me Daddy Pig", which made us all laugh. Those paramedics were so kind. One of them told me how hard he finds it to watch lots of kids in the pool. We arrived Lady Cilento Children's Hospital. I must have looked pale as I kept getting the question 'you ok Mum, you still with us?' I think they were expected me to pass out. We arrived in a room and as we were told, many nurses gathered around Lucy and a few doctors. Once again I had to repeat the story. I felt sick to my stomach. I felt guilty and half worried social services would come and take her away. I mean what other Mum dials 000 emergency twice in one day! They did an x-ray on Lucy's chest and found water in her lungs, stomach and a crackle in her chest. Lucy dozed off to sleep and I came undone. Sobbing I left the room wondering if she was in a coma or died. A nurse followed me, gave me some water and kindly reassured me Lucy was ok. Just sleeping. I needed to have a good cry. This nurse listened to me and heard my whole heart without judgement. Reminding me many water accidents happen with kids. I'm not the only one. They see it all the time. Lucy was admitted for overnight at first. I thought maybe this was a little unnecessary but I agreed. I thought I would not be strong enough to stay, But she said she wanted me to. I was her comfort. I had to be brave for her. I think she was braver than me! After receiving a pillow pet whom Daddy jokingly named BeeLinda Lucy was moved up to the short stay ward. Most of the night I prayed, thanked God and watched Lucy's chest rise and fall with her breathing. It was beautiful. I also enjoyed hearing all the other babies cry. Healthy lung sounds was music to my ears! Eventually after a big sandwich (What a joy to see Lucy so hungry), she dozed off to sleep. Lucy was placed in a bed opposite the doctors area. A doctor came over and introduced herself. After hearing Lucy's story and gasping herself, as many other medical staff had, she told me of a story where her own daughter almost fell in a creek. She explained how Lucy's machine worked. What the numbers meant of measuring her oxygen, heart rate and blood pressure. She assured me if I feel asleep that they would be watching and the machines would alert them. She also said, speaking from a mother's perspective I probably won't sleep a wink. She was right about that! As I sat in the dark silence, after all kids in the ward dozed off, the flash backs came in strong. I could not get the vision of blue faced, unconscious Lucy out of my mind. I messaged my friend Rachel in Scotland and told her. Her kindness and prayers meant so much! Still in a feeling of shock I found it hard that night to focus. I could barely remember where the loo was or how to get around the ward. Another nurse caught me wondering around and sincerely asked if I was ok. I hesitated, then said no. She hugged me so tight and once again I sobbed. She took me into the parents room and made me a cup of tea. I told her I can't stop having flash backs. She heard my heart, encouraged me and somehow got me laughing about my daring daughter possibly being a CEO of a major company some day! Ha ha. It was hard to leave Lucy but I needed a break. She was sleeping. The nurse reminded me that the machines would alarm them if anything went wrong. The next day I was visited by a trauma doctor, who told me Lucy could not go home yet. She firmly told the doctor and nurse who just discharged us that Lucy was not going anywhere. For Lucy was still at risk of secondary or dry downing and her lungs collapsing. No one argued. Thankfully I had no idea what secondary drowning was. I did not ask. But I knew what lungs collapsing meant! My heart sank. Yet many doctors and nurses kept reassuring my heart Lucy was doing great, She was eating plenty and her oxygen, heart rate and blood pressure levels were all good. She said there is still a risk of secondary drowning and her lungs collapsing. That Lucy must stay for 24 hours. I asked if Lucy could have another x-ray. She said that was the plan. Many other nurse's and doctors came and went. All gasping at the story first and then saying something like 'Gosh that was lucky' or to Lucy 'you gave us a scare'. Looking back I wished I had gone away from Lucy and repeated the story with every shift change! Lucy went pale and looked guilty with some of the repetitive story telling. I wondered why they could not look at their notes! Lucy finally went in for her x-ray, singing and hoping on the floor coloured footprints along the way. She brightened up the ward. Many times she put her foot up asking for someone to tickle her, just like the paramedic did. She brought a smile to many a medical personnel! We got to the x-ray room and she confidently lined her chest up. Ignorance is bliss. For her it was all an interesting adventure. She cheered me up! About an hour or so later I found out the wonderful news that Lucy's lungs and stomach were all clear. Her chest no longer had a crackle in it either! Praise God! Honestly, I was not surprised. I mean He had saved her from the tree and the water right!! Five hours later we went home. Lucy gave many hugs goodbye and I thanked them. I've been ever so thankful she's alive. I'm so thankful she lives and survived 5! She turned six yesterday! During the whole life saving ordeal, I could feel God's presence so strong. This is the honest truth, as my friend was resuscitating Lucy I not only tangibly felt God's presence with us. But I was squinting. For in my mind eyes I could picture an army of angels hovering above us. The sun was setting behind the trees. It should not have been that bright! Lucy also later revealed that she saw a bright light shine through the pool water. It must of been right before she fell unconscious. Lucy later told me she screamed for help and nobody heard her! I later told her somebody did hear you. God did! He told Mummy to look for you. He told my friend to call on Jesus and ring the ambulance. He told my other friend how to resuscitate you! God heard your prayers Lucy. He heard mummy's prayers. He is mighty to save when we call upon his name!
Amazing story, Catherine!
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