Hot Hot Hot

Allie's first summer she got heat stroke. I didn't realize how traumatic the experience was for me until yesterday. We took Allie swimming from 6-7:30pm. It was still uncomfortably warm, but Calvin and I sat in the shade. In a split second he went from content to cranky. I just about had a panic attack because everything started to feel like I was reliving my experience with Allie. I know I was overreacting because I was being careful, safe and preventative with Calvin. But after being outside that long I knew we had reached his limit of tolerance and he was hot and fussy. I needed to put him back in his car seat (which was warm from being in the car). He was still screaming. I started to cry. I started worrying that I overdid it with another child. My emotions just spiraled as I remembered in detail holding Allie as she went from crying, to vomiting, to lethargic as her vomiting turned to dry heaving. I felt the panic of being home alone (not in my own house) and not being able to get ahold of anyone because there was no cell service. I remember how weird it was to dial 911 for the first time in my life and wait for an ambulance for my little girl. And the relief when I realized that my husband had gotten my voicemail when he met us at the hospital 20 minutes away. All things I never want to repeat. Ever.

I just can't shake that fear, and although I don't believe I'm paranoid, I'm definitely on the cautious side when it comes to heat with my children. I now know that Allie IS very sensitive to the heat. And I will choose to assume that Calvin is as well.