CPR Saves Lives

Have you ever had that dream where your child is dying and no matter how much you yell for help no seems to understand you, and you are screaming and crying, and then you wake up and everything is fine; your child is not dying, but sleeping rather peacefully. I hate envy you.

I have this feeling and I can't shake it. I feel like something really bad is about to happen. Ever had that feeling? No? Again I hate envy you!

So today I figured maybe if I just put it all down right here it will be gone from my head. Please someone take it!! The following is true.

A few days ago I had a nightmare that Austin was dying right in my arms. I think we were at the park or at a party because there were lots of other children. One minute he was playing and the next his tracheostomy came out. The hole was closing and his face was turning blue. His arms were flailing around and he was reaching for his neck. He was looking me straight in the eyes begging me silently to help him. But I couldn't find his Trach and the diaper bag/emergency bag was 10 feet away. And I was screaming for someone to bring me the bag. And no one could understand me. They were waving to me and laughing. And I had to scramble and drag him towards the bag to get the emergency trach. But it wasn't there because it was the wrong bag. And by now I am hysterical and no one notices, they just keep walking right past me. Then suddenly a nurse is there, she doesn't help but she hands me something long & metal and I tried to wedge it into his airway. He is now limp and I am screaming "don't die, don't you dare die!" and then suddenly it works. A trach is in place. But he is still limp and again, out of nowhere an ambu bag is in my hands. I start CPR. One {puff}, Two {puff}, Thirty compressions, One {puff}, Two {puff}...and he opens his eyes. Oh, Thank GOD!

I may never fall asleep again. But the truth is, even when I wake up I never get that relieved feeling of "Ah, it's not real, it was just a dream." I have mentioned before that I live in both fear and awe of that tiny piece of plastic. Oh damn you tracheostomy tube, damn you for being both my saving grace and my worst nightmare. There I said it.

Do you know how to perform CPR on a child with a Trachesostomy? Please learn, the life you save could be his.





Download Pocket First Aid & CPR app to your iPhone today, because if this had this been a real emergency I would have liked someone to HELP me!!

UPDATE: Twitter follower @unxpctdblessing has informed me that Android Users can click on "Market" on their handheld and search for the App name. There is also infant & adult video examples. Please download today!


Thanks for peeking,