I only had to do the Heimlich once, but we survived!

 

So, as most of you know, I took Tiara to the fair yesterday.  It was super humid and hot but I decided to forge ahead and follow through with my plan.  At 3:30 Trinity and I loaded up the car, with 15 cans of food because every person who brought in 5 cans before 4pm got in free.  I hate how much the fair costs, so I was trying to save which is why I had to go early with the 2 girls.  I also had to buy the ride wrist bands for Tabitha, Kiki and Trinity before 5pm.  So once we got inside our plan was to buy the ride wrist bands and then push Tiara around in her wheelchair until Lou arrived and then Trinity could go on some rides. 

Now, don’t forget Tiara does not sweat because of where the tumors are in her brain, so if she gets too hot, she will literally overheat and get a fever.  As we were walking towards the air conditioned exhibits, Tiara saw people eating hot dogs and started in obsessing on hot dogs.  “Hot dog, hot dog, hot dog!”  We tried to distract her and take her to the animal area, but then she tried to get out of her chair and climb over the railing to visit the hogs so we decided we would finally get her the hot dog she wouldn’t stop talking about.  I was trying to waste time by walking from place to place discussing with her where we should buy the hot dog.  Finally we found the famous Pink’s Hot Dogs and they sold turkey dogs so I decided this would be the best place.  After I purchased the $6.00 turkey dog we sat down at a table so I could feed it to her slowly. 

Tiara is known for swallowing her food whole without chewing it.  As a result she frequently chokes, and I have performed the Heimlich Maneuver on her more times than I can count.  Apparently this is very unusual.  Last year when the doctors were refusing to remove her trach because she had a swallowing issue, I told them not to worry because I did the Heimlich on her all the time when she choked and it wasn’t a problem.  You have never seen so many shocked doctors in your life.   They were speechless and then went on to tell me this was very dangerous.  I responded with, “Well, do I have another choice?”  Humm, let her eat and do the Heimlich or feed her with a g-tube the rest of her life.  I choose the first.

Back to the fair.  As I started to break up the hot dog with my fingers, yes super sanitary, I had a bad feeling.  Of course I always tell my children, “listen to your intuition at all times,” but I didn’t listen to mine.  I knew the hot dog needed to be halved and I knew she was going to choke but of course I ignored my inner thoughts and gave her a piece without halving it.  As soon as she put it in her mouth, she gurgled and looked at me with wide eyes.  Oh, know, really!  I waited 1 second and then she did it again and she didn’t cough or make any verbal sounds, which is bad sign.  I jumped up and got behind the wheelchair and figured I better just try and do this while she was seated and so I did the Heimlich maneuver on her.  Right away the piece of hot dog flew out of her mouth and landed 2 feet away.  Trinity looked at me and I looked at her and I just put my head down between my knees and took a deep breath and then laughed.  I then lifted my head to see a young boy, about 12,  seated across from us, staring with wide eyes and amazement.

I then asked, “Trinity can you please go up to the stand and ask for a fork and knife?  Thanks hon!”  Ohhh, seriously, that really gave me a scare.  Trin returned with the utensils and TT finished the rest of her meal within seconds.  At this point, I seriously was craving one of those cold beers everyone was walking around with, but knew I couldn’t push the chair and carry my beer and having Trinity carry it would certainly be inappropriate and illegal so I just kept going. 

We then made our way over to get a lemonade, at which time Tiara took off her shoes and threw them across the walk way.  Trinity, ran and fetched them before anyone really noticed.  After the lemonade Tiara decided she was way too hot and tried to take off her top.  I quickly stopped her and then doused her with water to try and cool her down.  We started calling Lou over and over again, “where are you, when are you going to be here?”  “I am stuck in traffic, I am going as fast as I can,” he said.  Finally after 1 hour and 15 minutes, Lou called and said, “Just go back home and I will meet you there.” 

Ok great!  Trinity got her hand stamped and we went back home, which is literally 2 miles from the fair and Lou and I both pulled in the driveway at the same time.  Tab came home from work, Kiki (Tab’s friend who had never been to the fair before) arrived, Lou changed and they all left within minutes to go back to the fair.  I was so exhausted and it was only 5:30pm and now Tiara was really mad because her Dad just left.  She started hitting, kicking and pulling my hair.  I was so done with her at that point, that when she asked to go outside to play basketball, I just sent her out by herself.  Another mistake.  I went to the garage to get the laundry and when I returned she was walking in crying holding her head.  Somehow, well there is a million ways it could of happened, she fell and hit her head and had a huge egg forming on her right temple.  She was sobbing,  “My fault, sorry, my fault!”  “Oh, TT, it was an accident, I am sorry for leaving you alone, it was my fault.” 

And once again, just when I am so frustrated and irritated with Tiara, she gets herself hurt, and then I feel horrible and regret ever being mad at her for a second.  This is the story of my life.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!