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Yesterday, my crew and myself experienced a true Thanksgiving miracle. We saved a baby's life. Even just writing that little sentence still brings tears to my eyes. But yes, yesterday was a day in my career I'll never forget because the outcome could've been so different. We responded to a drowning. The reference of our call was a 14 month old baby found in a pool, unconcious. The update that we got as we were enroute was that Sheriff's deputies were on scene and had begun CPR. We arrived within minutes and though we don't normally run into a home, this time it was different and we ran. I passed by several family members who were outside crying and hugging each other and the whole time I was saying to myself, "Oh God, I don't want to see this today, I really don't want to see this today". But we did. He was lying on the floor as deputies were compressing his little chest. We scooped him up, laid him on the stretcher and hauled out to the Rescue truck. I took over CPR, using the heel of my hand, while our lead medic dropped a tube into his trachea, and the other medic inserted an intraosceous needle into his leg, this so we could administer medications right into the bone marrow. We gave him several drugs, Epinephrine, Atropine and Sodium Bicarbonate. He was asystolic on the monitor, meaning he had absolutely no electrical activity to his heart. He was basically dead. He was cold, really cold and wet and he had a diaper on. We received a police escort to the hospital meaning they close every intersection enroute to the hospital. Halfway to the hospital I stopped CPR to see what was on the monitor and we found a heart beat. We found several actually but not enough to sustain himself, so once again I began compressing his heart with the heal of my hand. When we arrived at the hospital, our lead medic actually "felt" a pulse. The ER was buzzing with Dr's, Respiratory Therapists, Pediatric nurses. They worked on him tirelessly and when they came out and said he has a blood pressure and a pulse, one of the officers turned to me and gave me the biggest, strongest hug I think I've ever had and we both lost it. Actually everyone did that was there on scene. It was amazing. The Dr's had said that since it's been so cold here over the last 2 weeks, his core temperature was 84 degrees and that probably increased his survival chances. Late last night we received notice from the hospital, that the little baby boy had begun breathing on his own, and he was wiggling his little fingers.
If that poor baby died, I couldn't imagine worse news for a family on Thanksgiving and I think that's what made this so memorable, the fact that he's now alive. I'll never forget it. I will never, ever forget it, because it really could've turned out so differently.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday, I know mine was complete when I finished the call and called home to talk to my children and to tell them how much I love them. Life is soooooo fragile and I know that. But even after 15 years with the Fire Department these calls always pull at my heart strings.
If you've read this far, please say a little prayer that that little boy will fully recover. Thankyou!
Wow - what a miracle!!! I will keep this little boy in my prayers that he will fully recover with no issues from not breathing for so long. You are amazing - it is people like you who are trained to do their jobs, and do them, that help the rest of us who would perhaps panic in such a situation. I'm sure that the family will be eternally grateful to you and the other members of your team. Take care!!
Posted by: Marie | November 28, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Oh, HIlary. I have tears in my eyes just reading this. What a beautiful story, and how scary it is b/c it could have had quite a different outcome. Did I tell you how proud I am of you for doing what you do. Thank you and all the other rescue people, and for working on a holiday. :) (((hugs))
Posted by: melanie douthit | November 28, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Oh, Hilary! I have tears in my eyes just reading this. What a beautiful story, and to think that it was indeed a miracle b/c it could have turned out sad. What an emotional day for you. I'm so proud of you and what you do. Thank you and all the other rescue workers for your sacrifice - especially on holidays. (((hugs))
Posted by: melanie douthit | November 28, 2008 at 07:43 PM
I am crying like a baby! You are truely a hero. Prayers for a full recovery for a little boy who clearly had his guardian angels workin' overtime this holiday!
Posted by: Wendi | November 28, 2008 at 08:18 PM
WOW...you're a real life super woman! What a heartwarming story to story to start the Holiday season.
Posted by: Tiffany Johnson | November 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Oh Hilary - what an amazing story! I got teary-eyed reading it. I will keep him in my prayers for sure. What a blessing YOU were able to be for that family. Thank goodness for people like you everywhere who serve us! Many hugs, Jackie
Posted by: Jackie W. | November 28, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Hilary you are truly MY hero! Thank you for what you do, thank you for your service. Every time I see a firetruck enroute with lights flashing I say a prayer for wherever they are going. If you find out about the little boy I am sure there are many of us who would like to know, I will definitely say a prayer. This story warmed my heart, there is a God and he knows each of us individually. Thank you again for what you do!
Posted by: Diana | November 28, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Hilary!!! What a horrible call! I hate those... kids really touch your soul. I will pray for him and hope he makes a complete recovery. Thanks for doing what you do!!
Posted by: Lisa Jamerson | November 28, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Wow Hilary!!
You brought tears to my eyes. Thank God you were there and you're right, that is truly a miracle.
I pray that young man grows up and perhaps returns the favor. God Bless you, that baby and both of your families.
Blessings, Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Roland | November 28, 2008 at 11:14 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with that baby! And thank goodness for you and all of those that helped to save the baby's life. Happy belated Thanksgiving! :)
Posted by: Kim | November 28, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Thank you to you/your team and every emergency response person that helps all of us when we need you most! Thank you for sharing this story and my prayers are with the baby boy you helped.
Posted by: Emma | November 29, 2008 at 09:29 AM
You're amazing Hilary! An angel....I'm so happy you were there at the right time and kept persevering. Love to you today.
melis
Posted by: Melissa Phillips | November 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Oh Hilary I am crying like a baby...you are amazing...my thoughts and prayers are with that little guy! Happy belated Thanksgiving! :)
Posted by: Renee' | November 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Thank goodness for people who serve in professions like you do ~ they (and you) are the true heros of the world. Think what your actions will mean to this family. Truly priceless. Giving thanks for you today too Hilary and I will pray also that this precious child has a full recovery.
Posted by: Kathleen | November 29, 2008 at 12:15 PM
That was a true Thanksgiving for sure! Amazing! My son is a fireman too and had to work on Thanksgiving day. He didn't have big stories but you really don't want the big stories - all quiet is better!
Posted by: Linda Beeson | November 29, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Oh Hilary!!
What an awesome story....and so happy that it ended great!! You should be so proud of yourself!! I had tears in my eyes when I read that story. I'm sure that you had a great Thanksgiving!! Many blessing to you and your family!! Char
Posted by: Char | November 29, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Wow! God Bless you all! That was a miracle.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 29, 2008 at 06:05 PM
what a awesome story, thank you for sharing. Thank you for all you do with the fire department, for putting your life on the line for others. This family will be forever thankful on this day.
God bless you.
Posted by: Carie | November 29, 2008 at 09:20 PM
I am so happy to hear that this story has a happy ending. Thank you for all that you do-it takes a special person to do the job that you do. I am sure that family will be eternally grateful to you and your coworkers. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Shannon | November 29, 2008 at 10:04 PM
What a great ending. I am sitting here in tears. I also work in the healthcare field, I am an ICU rn and I give it up to all of you who work with babies and children. Having small children myself, it would be to emotional for me. I always tell my patients and there families, it's all about baby steps and this is so true for this little guy and his family. God Bless.
Posted by: melissa | November 30, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Hillary, I am thanking God right now for you and every other person that responded to that call. And yes, will definitely pray for his full recovery!
Thank you for all you do!
Posted by: Sandra Smart | November 30, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Wow, what a hero you are!
Posted by: Laurel | November 30, 2008 at 09:05 AM
wow...not what i expected to read this morning, but just what i needed to read! how blessed we all are...thank you for your work and those like you...truly wonderful work you do!
Posted by: Chelle | November 30, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Ok, the tears have cleared my eyes enough so I can type. What a wonderful story. And what a blessing you and your crew are to that family! The boy is in my prayers, and prayers to you and all firefighters for the wonderful work you do everyday.
Now I have to go hug my child!
Posted by: Lisa (from Loveland, CO 35 miles east of Estes Park--we should talk!!!) | November 30, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Hilary...the courage and "never give up" attitude of both you and that little baby saved his life today - WOW - You are our HERO!!! You and your team gave a family a very precious gift!!! You are such an extremely talented person in every way...the BEST OF THE BEST!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
Peg
Posted by: Peg Parsons | November 30, 2008 at 08:26 PM