We're All Insane - My Toddler Survived a Traumatic Brain Injury

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

#podcast #toddlers #braininjury #survival In this powerful and emotional story, Caroline shares her son’s journey of survival after suffering a traumatic brain injury. From the terrifying moments in the hospital to the long road of recovery, she opens up about the challenges, hope, and strength it took to get through it all. Caroline's Links: Caroline's Instagram: cearbarez Support Services:https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to [e-mail] Business Inquiries please contact: [e-mail] Topics: Traumatic Brain Injury, Motherhood, Child Injury, Accidents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey guys, it's me Devorah. I just dropped an all new bonus episode inside my new subscription channel, We're All Insane Plus. This week's bonus episode is called My Brain was slipping into my spine. Listen now by subscribing to We're All Insane Plus inside your Spotify or Apple Podcasts app or go to we're all insane.com. Obviously, I'm here to talk about my son's traumatic brain injury, but I'm going to just back up and kind of talk about like his pregnancy and my older son's pregnancy just to kind of it flows into like what happened to him in it gives a good background yeah and it affects kind of like later on in the story okay so me and my husband were together we got together and then early on in our relationship I got pregnant with my first son and it was kind of weird

because I didn't know until about like halfway through the pregnancy because I had had no symptoms leading up to it. No morning sickness, no weight gain, like nothing. So it was like one day I was like laying in bed and I like had my hand like resting on my stomach and it felt kind of hard. And I was like that's not normal. So I was like looking it up and like asked, he was my boyfriend at the time, but he's now my husband. And I was like, this is like this feels weird. Like what could this be? And he's like, I don't know. So I was like looking it up. But your stomachs didn't like look any bigger. No, it didn't. Literally, I didn't, like, bloated nothing, like, no weight gain that I could, like,

notice. Right. It just felt like a hard lump. Okay. So I was, like, looking it up, and it was like, could be pregnancy. And I'm like, there's no way. I was on birth control, too. Wow. And like I said, no symptoms at all. And I was like, okay, I'm like, well, for shits and giggles, let's just go to Walmart, grab some tests, and we'll see if we're pregnant. And so we did. It was like the middle of the night. And in my mind, I'm like, there's no way I'm pregnant. Like, I'm on birth control. No symptoms. Like, I can't be pregnant.

So we get home and I take the first test and it like lit up like a Christmas tree like immediately. And I'm like, no, it's wrong. It's a false positive. Like, there's no way. And in your mind, you probably thought, okay, can't be that far along either. No, not at all. So I'm like, and I'm like, what the hell? Because like with the birth control, like I lost my period.

So I like didn't have one. So it's not like I could tell her or anything. anything. So, so I take a second one because I think we bought three. So I take a second one. And same thing. It's positive. And this is like late at night. So I'm like, you know, I'm like, everything online says that you get a more accurate reading in the morning because of all like the pregnancy hormones, like they build up over the night and then you can test. So I'm like, let me just do it in the morning. But still, I'm like, I can't be pregnant. So I wake up in the morning. I take the test and same thing.

It comes back positive. And I was like, okay, okay, like now I need to go to the doctor and figure this out because when did this happen? Like, how, like, I'm on birth control. This is supposed to be, like, a preventative thing. So I ended up, I was, like, really nervous. And I didn't want to tell anyone right away because I was just, like, so much, like, I don't know what's going on.

So I went to Planned Parenthood just because, like, they were right there. they were free and I could just go in real quick. So I did and I let them know what happened. I'm like, look, they're like, okay, well, one's the day of like your last period and I was like, I don't know, I'm on birth control, it went away. So like, okay, let's do an ultrasound.

Or they actually, they confirmed my pregnancy with a test. They're like, okay, you are pregnant. Now let's figure out how far long you are. So they did an ultrasound and I think it was like one or two texts did it and they, one of them said I was like eight weeks along, which that's pretty early. So I'm like, okay.

And then the other one's like, wait, let me go check again. She's like, you're looking like you're a little bit further along, maybe around 12 weeks. So I'm like, okay. And they're like, yeah, like, what, like, what's your next step? Because, like, obviously they're not an OBGYN. So I'm like, okay, like, let me go. Let me go tell my family, because I had no idea. I was 21 years old in a pretty new relationship.

like I was in my last year of college, so like I wasn't prepared to like be pregnant and have a baby. So I was like, okay, now I have to tell my family and we got to figure this out. So I told my mom first and she's like, she's like, okay, well, have you seen a doctor? And I'm like, no. So she's like, okay, let me go bring you to like where I go for my OBGYN. And so, or like, yeah, so that's where she did. So we got an appointment because she asked all the questions they asked there.

She's like, well, how far long are you? When did this happen? I'm like, I have no idea. So we get in there, like, right away. And I don't know if they have, like, more, like, advanced technology there or whatnot, but the doctor's there, the ultrasound tech there. She's like, you're measuring around 23 weeks. So she's like, you're more than halfway through the pregnancy.

And I'm like, excuse me? I'm like, she's like, yeah, she's like, this is it. And she showed me everything. She's like, yeah, so, yeah, like, let's start taking care of you, making appointments. Like, you're going to have to come, like, every two weeks and all that. And I was like, okay, like, this is what we're going to do. So instead of having, like, the whole nine months to prepare, I found out, let's see, I found it in late December. And he was born the beginning of May.

So I had, like, about four months to prepare. So in that four months, did your belly start to grow? I didn't start showing until I was about like 30 weeks. Because I was going to say like if you didn't even think to do it. And when I stepped on the scale at the doctor, I had only gained it was like five pounds. But it wasn't something where I'm like, okay, like that's a crazy amount of weight. Right. Like, oh my God.

And I didn't have any weight. Like it wasn't showing anywhere. Like it wasn't showing my stomach. My stomach felt fine except for like that. Love that little like bump. Not even a bump. It was just like a hard spot. almost like just like when you're bloated or something right that reminds me the show i didn't know

i was pregnant do you see that that's exactly what it i was like oh my god it could have been on this damn show like right but no it was i'm like this is not like i've never heard of this happening especially like i was like you never expected to be you that's true and i was like not at a point in my life where i thought i could take care of a baby like you know i was with my boyfriend for you're still Yeah, I was in my last year of college. I had plans to go. I was going to be a teacher. I was like doing student teaching. I'm like, oh my God, like, I was like so scared and nervous. And I just took those four months to just kind of prepare myself and do everything that I should be doing. And I had a lot of help from like my friends and family. Like they're all supportive and they all helps like really will. So that made a lot easier for me. So yeah, the rest of the pregnancy. And even so. So like are my second appointment there? So the first appointment, they confirmed, yes, you're pregnant, and you're more than halfway through.

Second appointment, they're like, okay, we can tell you the gender. So it wasn't even like a week after I found out I was pregnant. They're like, oh, yeah, you're having a boy. And I was like, oh, crap, okay. Like, now I can just, you know, I don't have to guess or sit there and wonder what I'm going to have. So that was kind of cool. So, yeah, the next four months, like, flew by.

Towards the end I had to do, they, it's like a non-stress test. So they put like a monitor on your belly for like a half an hour. Like you come in like once a week and they'll put a monitor on you and just check the movement because they said something about like his growth. They're like his chest is growing slower than his head or something. Like that's what the measurements were telling them. So we're just going to monitor you for a little bit, but nothing serious. It's just protocol.

So they did that. Nothing came about. He moved fine. Everything was good. But they're like just because of that, we're going to. induce you towards the end of your pregnancy just because we don't really know where it started. Like the beginning of your pregnancy, it's kind of like a gray area. We don't know when it really happened. We think it's like in this time frame. So we know you're going to be full term at this

point. So we're going to induce you. So that's what they did. And the labor and delivery was super normal. It was quick. Like I don't know. Like it was I didn't know what to expect because I couldn't compare it to anything, but it was very normal. He came out normal, no complications. And yeah, so that was my first pregnancy. So super just like non-conventional, like, like, here's a baby. Right. That's how it felt. So that was, yeah, that was my older son. And now my second son, the one who had the accident, was his pregnancy was, although it was like completely normal the whole way through, it was very different how I found out. So when it happened, like, it was almost like I knew immediately.

I don't know what it was, but I'm like, I was like staying there. I'm like, I think I'm pregnant. And it was even before my missed period. Because at that point, I was off birth control just because I'm like, it's not working clearly. I got pregnant off of it. Like, I don't trust it. So I went off of it. And how far apart were the pregnancies?

So they're 21 months apart. So it was right after my oldest son's first birthday. Got it. So, yeah, it was like right after his first birthday. I found out I was pregnant. So yeah, I found out even before my misperiod, which was nuts, and it came back positive, which usually it doesn't. It's usually, like, after the fact.

Yeah. So I was actually, like, like, what's the word? I was, like, surprised it came back, like, positive. So I'm like, oh, my God. So it was kind of like a different feeling because it's like I had all this time to prepare for him to come. And it wasn't just, like, sprung upon me. And, you know, I already had a child.

So I was like, okay, like, is this. the second time around it will be easier and got this so yeah so the whole pregnancy went by like fast there was no complications we went to the 20 week anatomy scan everything was normal they told us we were having a boy then so i was going to have two boys and just be outnumbered so so yeah so that whole pregnancy was normal um and labor and delivery same thing i was induced then too because i made it to the 41 week mark. And that OBGYN that I went to, they're like, if you make it to 41 weeks, it's not really safe for you

or a baby to go past that. So we'll induce you in case you get that far. So I made it to 41 weeks and labor and delivery, again, super normal, no complications, like everything was good. So then fast forward to around when he was like four months old, is like when they start like holding their bottles on their own. And I noticed that when he was holding, it. With his right hand, he'd cup the bottle like you normally would, but his left hand, he'd

hold it in a fist. And that's how he would always hold it. So I'd look at it and be like, okay, like, that's kind of weird. So I'd, like, go over and, like, undo his fingers, and it was almost like there was, like, tension there. I'm like, it doesn't feel, like, natural that he's opening his fingers right now. But I'd open them and they'd stay like that. So I'm like, okay, like, I'll keep an eye on it, but, you know, that's kind of weird. So I remember at his next doctor's appointment, I let the doctor know. And I was like, hey, like, I've noticed him doing this when he's holding his bottle. Like, is that normal? And he just kind of was like, no, like, he's, he's fine. He's still young. You know, just keep an eye on it. If it worsens or you've noticed more,

like, just let us know and we'll figure it out. But that's all I got from that appointment. I think that was like his six-month appointment. So with that, that was like the only concern I had seen then. But he was hitting all of his other milestones. So, like, he sat up when he was supposed to. he crawled when he was supposed to. He walked at one years old, like, when they're supposed to. So it's like he was hitting all these milestones and everything was going great. Like nothing was concerning besides that left hand. And it was just a constant thing.

So like when he would start crawling, it was like his right hand was like flat on the ground. And then his left, not like all of the time, but I would say a majority of the time was like in a fist and he's like, you know, crawl like that. And then once he was like one, I did start to notice like he'd hold his arm like close to his chest. And like it's almost like he had a hard time extending his arm fully. Like like I said with the tension with his fingers, it was like there was tension like in his elbow and shoulder area. And he just like wouldn't use it. Like he'd use his right hand for literally everything. And I know like babies, they're not supposed to have like a dominant hand until they become like a toddler.

and that's where you distinguish, like, if you're a lefty or righty. So I'm like, it's just like, it's not normal. So I remember bringing it up, like, at his one-year appointment. And still, the doctor's like, it's like, oh, I don't know. Like, you know, he seems fine. Like, he's hitting all his milestones like you're saying, and you don't see any other concerns. Maybe he'll correct itself.

He's still young. And in my head, like, I'm like, okay. Because, like, I haven't had, like, nothing, like, my, first son, like I've had no like medical problems, like no health issues. And up until this point, like nothing, like I hadn't had to really deal with anything like abnormal like that. And like I was young. Like at this time, I was 24, 23 or 24. And I just kind of put like all my trust in the doctors. I'm like, they're the professionals. They know what's best. I'm going to listen to what they say. And I guess we'll just go with it.

So then a few months go by, and I'm still just noticing, like, he's not moving his left hand like he should be. So I'm like, you know what, screw it. I'm going to do my own research and try to figure this out and really just try to, like, push for like what's going on. Because as a mom, I'm like, this is not normal. Like you have the instinct. You know, you know, let me look stuff up. And the doctors tell you all the time, they're like, don't Google anything. They're like, if you have a concern, call us.

But I'm like, I've been telling you this at. every single point in it and you're dismissing it like it's nothing. So I'm like, you know what, I'm just going to do it. Like, you know, what's going to happen? So I'm like one of those people, like on Google. I type in like very specific, like everything verbatim what I see. So hopefully I can get like a very accurate like answer. So that's exactly what I wrote. I typed in something like left hands and a bald fist and tight against body, something like that. And a bunch of stuff popped up. And like one of the first articles I saw was this mom, and it was a blog about her daughter.

And she had pictures of her daughter. And I believe it was her right side, but she had pictures of her daughter with her arm the same exact way and everything. And so I kept reading. And she's like, yeah, when she was this old, I noticed her hand was in a fist. It's like I was reading, like, what was going on in my life. So she's like her hand was in a fist.

She wouldn't open it up. It was tight to her body. And then she's like, our doctor referred us to, I don't know if it was like right away, but like they referred her to a neurologist. And their neurologist was like, yeah, she had a prenatal stroke and it caused her to have cerebral palsy. And that's what's happening. And we just like, for whatever reason, they like don't catch it before they're, you give birth. I think it happens like either right before birth, it can happen.

either right before or during birth. So it's not like they can catch it like weeks before unless it happened weeks before. So. It's still a surprising though because even though he was hitting his marks technically, you would think that if something was abnormal, you know what I mean? Like if you don't typically see something and then you see it that you would at least look further into it, that's, I think. And that's a parent's mindset. Yeah. And I like beat myself up all the time because I'm like, I should have just, you know,

said something sooner, I should have pushed for like a second opinion. I shouldn't have put like all my trust into this one doctor and be like, okay. Most people do. Yeah. Because that's what we're like taught to do. Exactly. Like with the Google thing, like don't Google anything. Just call us and we'll figure it out. But it's like what happens if it's an emergency. You know what I mean? I also think if something's rare, you know what I mean? Or if it's not something that's like the norm where it's happening all the time or it's common. I think that doctors and I mean, I've had people in the show before that have, you know, testified for that as well. Like, you know, it, I feel like they don't push for it or they don't really want to investigate it because they don't have enough.

More paperwork. That they might just, and they might just not have enough knowledge around it. It might not seem serious to them because everything else looks fine. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. So I just kept reading her blog and it was like I was literally like reading what was happening in my life. So I'm like, holy crap, I'm like, could this have had happened to him?

And I'm like, it couldn't be. I'm like, there would be more signs. They would be, you know. And like when I hear, when I first heard the word cerebral palsy, like before I knew more about it, all I pictured, and I don't know if this is like naive of me, but like all I pictured was like people in wheelchairs, people who can't speak, people who need like 24 hour care and support. Like I didn't realize that it's a whole. whole like like spectrum of things like there can be severe and mild like had no idea. Yeah. I mean,

I didn't know either. Mm-hmm. So yeah, so I just, I kept reading her thing and I'm like, could this be what my son has? So I remember my husband came home from work that day and I told him I was like, hey, I looked this up and this is like exactly what's going on. Like do you think this is possible? And he's like, I don't think so, but he's like, doesn't hurt to ask. So, So I remember at my son's one, like his 18-month appointment, so one and a half. I finally, I told the doctor, I was like, look, I did my own research. This is what I found. I saw like a case very similar to his, and they were explaining that their daughter had a prenatal stroke,

and she has cerebral palsy and this and this and this, and he immediately, like, threw his hands up. He's like, nope, he's like, your son does not have that. You're fine. And like, he does not have that. We would have known way before this point. So I'm like, okay, I'm like, well, I want a referral to someone because I need to figure this out. Like, it's going to drive me nuts.

I'm like, please send me somewhere. Like, I need to figure this out. So we're up in New Hampshire and we're not even our from Boston Children's Hospital, which is one of like the best children's hospitals in the country. So he's like, okay, well, he's like, do you? want to drive to Boston or do you want someone local? And so since Boston Children's has such a really good, like, what's the word, like a good reputation. I was like, just some of you there, I know that the best of the best doctors are there. I'll get the care that we need because clearly I'm not getting it here.

I didn't say that to him, but that's how I felt. So he's like, okay, okay. So he's like, I'm going to refer you to this orthopedic doctor at Boston. And in my mind, I'm like, there's nothing wrong with his bones. I'm like, I've felt around. Like, everything feels fine, like, nothing. Like, you look at his hand, and, like, it's just, like, he holds it differently, but, like, his bone, like, if you feel around, nothing feels abnormal. But I, I didn't say anything. I was like, as long as I have a referral to somewhere, like, I, I can, you know, get my foot in the door and we can, you know, get this started. So he's like, okay, yeah, that's fine. So this is, so I said that was like a year and a half. I don't know. Was it a year and a half?

Yeah, it was a year and a half. So between like year and a half and two years old is when we started going to children's. And we saw the orthopedic doctor. Very nice. He, I explained to him what was going on. And I was like, this is what his pediatrician referred us to. He's like, okay, let's take a look. So he did some x-rays.

And then he came back. He's like, x-rays look really good. He's like, I don't see anything wrong with his bones. He said there was like a mild curvature, like, right here. But he's like, it doesn't look like it's, like, crazy abnormal or it will affect him in any way. But he's like, his bones are healthy. They're normal. He's like, I'm wondering if it's something more neurological or muscular.

And that's in my mind. That's what I was thinking. So he's like, I'm going to refer you to this other doctor. She's a neuromuscular doctor. I think that's what she was. he's like I really think it's something to do with like his nerves or his muscle or something did you tell anyone at this hospital about the blog that you saw or not yet no I didn't no because I just I wanted their honest opinion I didn't want to obviously you know I wouldn't be putting

like things into a doctor's head like well this is what I researched and they'd be like oh yeah maybe you're right like they have their own knowledge to base it off of um so I just didn't I just wanted to go in there with a blank slate and see what they say so a few weeks later go by and this is probably very beginning of 2020 so this is like January February because it was around where he turned two because he turned two in February so it was like right before that weird time or that time so we meet with the neuromuscular doctor and I explained everything that was going on with him you know holding his hand in a fist tight to his body so she's like okay let's you know let's have him run around run down the hall

hallway, give high fives, have them do some two-handed activities. That's like really big. And we were there for probably a half an hour. And after that half hour, she, like, we were getting ready to, like, kind of wrap things up. And she's like, I can't say 100% or like with 100% guarantee, but she's like, I am like 99% sure he's showing signs of having cerebral palsy. and I just sat there and like it felt like this giant weight like lifted off my shoulders because she was like the first person to like acknowledge it and tell me like face to face like hey this is something serious and I think this is what he has and I'm like I like the emotions I felt I was just like oh my God like you know it sucks hearing that something could potentially be wrong

with your child, but I'm like, I'm getting answers. So now we can go forward and we can figure out what the next step is. So she's like, I can't guarantee it. She's like, what would guarantee it is getting an MRI. So let's schedule an MRI and that will tell us all the things we need to know. So I was like, okay, cool. So like, yeah, like I said, this was like February 2020 and we scheduled it for it. It was like late March 2020, and that's like a huge, huge part in this story. So, yeah, so, yeah, so, yeah, so we schedule the MRI and then she's like, yeah, she's like, it's not like a life or death thing or, you know, just keep an eye on what he's doing. Just live your life and then we'll do the MRI and then we'll go from there. So we schedule that

and then fast forward to the middle of March. 2020 COVID happens. They shut the world down, like right in the middle of March, like a week before his MRI. So they call me, like the hospital calls me and like, hey, we don't know what's going on like in the world right now with COVID. Because at that point, nobody knew what was going on. They were like, you know, there's an outbreak of something. So we're shutting the world down. We're going to shut it down for like a week or two and then we'll go about our business. So they're like, we're only taking in like serious cases right now. Like we have to reschedule your MRI just because you're not, it's not like an emergency case.

Excuse me. It's not an emergency case. We're only taking in like really sick patients right now and we don't want to risk a healthy person coming to the hospital and getting sick. So I was like, oh, okay. They're like, we don't know when that's going to be. So let's hold off on rescheduling and picking a date. But when everything settles down, we'll figure it.

out. So I was like, okay, like, you know, I can, I can deal with that. Because in my mind, I had already accepted. I'm like, I, there's, in my mind, a hundred percent he, this is what happened or this is what he has. Now we just need to figure out what happened to cause it and how we're going to go about it. So did they say anything about that they were worried about it progressing or anything like that? So that, okay, so with, and I wrote it down. Sorry, if I'm jumping ahead. No, not at all. Okay. I wrote down the, um, the definition of cerebral palsy. It's a cognitive disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. And what that means is it happens right before birth or during birth.

So like in that time frame, that's when it's caused. So it's like a lack of oxygen to the brain. And it causes part of the brain to under, like not develop fully. Okay. So that's what causes the cerebral palsy are CP. I'll probably just call it CP from now on just because it's easier. And so when I did meet with the woman, when I met with the muscular or the neuromuscular doctor, she had told me she's like, because like obviously she couldn't 100% be like, this is what he has.

But she's like, just in case he has this, CP is not a progressive disorder. So whatever symptoms he has right now, they will not get worse as he gets older. It doesn't go downhill from here. It can only go up with therapies and all these resources. So she's like, you know, this is our starting point and we can just go up from here. So that was like really good to hear because like when I heard that too, I was like, oh my God, like is it going to get worse? Is he going to be in the wheelchair like what I'm thinking?

Is he going to not speak? Like he was two years old. So like he wasn't really speaking at that point, just kind of like words here and there. So I'm like, oh my God, is it going to, are we just going to go? Right. Like you didn't have like enough knowledge on it. No, not at all. Yeah.

Like I said, like all I thought was like there's just, he's just. going to or people with CP are in wheelchairs and that's just what I thought so yeah it's not a progressive disorder um however you're born like I said is I like when I tell people about it and talk about it I compare it to autism it's like a very wide spectrum it can be so like my son for instance he has a very mild case of CP and then there's also people who have very severe cases and those are the people who need um care and support from other people like all the time. So yeah, it's almost like autism. So it's very like it's either you're on one side or the other or somewhere in between. Like that's, that's how I explain it. Yeah. So that's, yeah, that's what

that's what she told us about that. And then I think you were at the world shutting down. Yes. So COVID happened. It's the end of March. They call me and they're like, we're only taking in sick patients right now. We don't want to risk healthy people getting sick. So we're going to, hold off and rescheduling this because we don't know what's going on. Because I remember that time and they're like, we're going to shut the world down for two weeks and then that will fix the problem and we'll go back to our normal lives. That's what they basically, that's what it seemed like at the time.

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Listen to true crime news available now wherever you get your podcast. So I'm like, okay, like it won't be that long. And like, like I said, it's not a week or two. Yeah, and like I said, it's not a progressive thing, so it's not like things are getting worse. Yeah. I would, you know, they're like, if anything, just, you know, help him use his left hand more in the meantime, you know. So that's what we did. And then it was the very end of March, and my husband, he works in the union.

He, his company had said, hey, what's going on in the world right now is pretty serious. We're going to give all you guys a two-week layoff, mandatory layoff. So don't come in here for two weeks. We'll call you and then we'll be back to work probably. So like take the two weeks, be with your family, do what you've got to do. But this is like getting more serious. So this is what we're going to do. So we're up in New Hampshire, and my husband is from the south, and his family is all over the south.

So at the time, his parents were in Texas. And so he's like, hey, we never get to see my parents very much. Why don't we take a trip to Texas for like a week and, like, visit them, and then we'll come back. I'll go back to work and, you know, let's make a trip out of this, you know. That's a word. Not employment. What did I say? Lay off.

Lay off, yeah. Yeah. He's like, let's take advantage of this layoff and go visit my family. And like, I love his parents to death. Like, just very, very, like, southern hospitality. So I'm like, yeah, sure. Like, why not? Like, I'm very, I don't know.

Like, I'm a Sagittarius, so I'm very spontaneous and I like to travel. So, like, I was like, sure, why not? Like, let's just go with the flow. Yeah. Let's just go. So we, yeah, we got tickets, plane tickets, and that was the last day of March 1st and it was actually pretty cool because on the plane ride there since like COVID was like a thing there was no one at the airport so it's me my husband and our

two boys and I think there was like one guy on like a business trip we're the only ones on the plane it's wild and the flight attendants were like yeah like the kids can obviously not run around but they're like they can sit anywhere they want you can pick any seat like nobody else is coming here I might as well, you know? So that was pretty cool. So, yeah, we get to Texas. We just, their parents, his parents are very chill. So, like, let's, you know, let's go get some food.

We'll go back to the house. They have a pool. They're like, let's chill in the pool, you know. Let's just relax. They're like, all the stuff that's happening in the world right now is craziness. So let's just kind of, you know, chill out. Enjoy your time here, you know. Like, let's just make a time out of it.

So, yeah, so we get to March 31st and everything's fine. So then the next day is when the accident happened, but we didn't know it happened that day. So that's April 1st. I was out grocery shopping with my mother-in-law, and my husband was at home with the kids and my father-in-law. And so it's my father-in-law's grandmother was living with them. So it's my husband's great grandma and then my kid's great great grandma. So she's like a little old lady and they're like, oh yeah, this is granny.

She's living with us because I had never met her before. So she's living there. So she's there with them and they're just like playing with her and all that. So I get back from grocery shopping with my mother-in-law and we walk in and my husband was on the coach and he had our son just resting on him. Like it was, that's normal. He was just napping. He's like, hey, he's like while you were gone, he had fallen.

there was like their staircase and right next to like the staircase is the living room so my husband was like right there and he's like yeah I heard him fall and it was like right on the bottom step and he's like I thought he may have like broken his arm because he was holding his arm or something and it sounded like he like hit like a bone or something he's like but I checked him you know like he cried for like a minute like his normal cry and then he was like then he was fine like he he cried for a minute he got up and was fine and now he's you know just like on me. And he's like, yeah, I checked everything. Everything was fine. And he snapped back. Like, he normally does. So I'm like, okay. Like, didn't think anything of it. Like, kids fall all the time.

From what he had said, it wasn't like dramatic. Like, oh, my God, he tumbled down the stairs. Right. He's like, he was just at the bottom step and it looked like, or it, it sounds like he had just like maybe taken a step or tried to take a step and he had fallen. But he's like, I was right there and he's like, I, you know, he cried for a minute and then was good. So like I said, they, especially boys, they will get hurt all the time. They are crazy. So that was just normal. So we're like, okay, like he's fine. And I just shoved it to the back of my mind. Like I said, it happened. They fall all the time. They cry and they get back up and you're good. So we go about our day.

We eat lunch. We have dinner. Go to bed. Well, the boys went to bed. And then I remember my husband and I were like, oh, we're going to go sit out in the hot tub for a minute. So I let my mother-in-law know. I'm like if either of them get up, like, because it was normal for them to like get up and be like, oh, I want to go lay with mom and dad. I'm like, if any of them get up, I was like just, I'm like, I have my phone just like shoot me a text and we'll come right back in. I even think we had like a baby monitor outside with us because they were just right

upstairs. And she's like, yeah, and her room was right next to theirs too. So it's not like we were just leaving them there. So we were out there for probably like five minutes. and he started crying. My youngest son who fell, he started crying. My mother-in-law texted me and she's like, hey, he's not calming down. Can, like, could you please come in?

So I was like, okay, sure. Sometimes he just, you know, he just wants his mom or his dad. Yeah. And so she hands him over to me. We get inside. She hands him over to me. And he's crying. And then, you know, I just, like I said, it's kind of normal.

I just calm him down. And after he calms down and we're like laying in bed, I like, turn to my husband. And I was like, this doesn't sound like his normal cry. I'm like, it sounds like he's in pain. And so my husband, and I don't fault him for this at all, but he was like, you know, we traveled yesterday. We're in a new place.

We did a lot today. We went swimming, a lot of new things. Maybe it's just like being in a new environment. You know, he could be just like really tired or stressed out. Like maybe that's it. And I was like, okay, you know what? Like maybe that is it. you know, we're just, I felt the same way.

I'm like, okay, like, I'm exhausted, so I'm sure he is too. But I was just like, this just, the sound, it just doesn't sound right to me. Because, like, you know, as a mom, like, you know their cries. You know when they're hungry. You know when they're upset. You know, when they need to be changed. Like, you, it just, it comes natural to you. And so I was just, that was just like another time where I was like, I just should have

listened to myself. But I'm like, you know, maybe he's right. Like, you know, it's just, it's been a long day. So, yeah. So he went to bed that night. He slept in the bed with us perfectly fine, slept the whole night, woke up fine because he'd always wake up before us. So then he woke up fine. And I remember we went about our day. We had breakfast. And I remember after breakfast, the kids wanted to go play in the pool. And like I said, we had nothing to do. So we're like, sure, why not? It was like 9.30 in the morning. So we're like, okay, why not? So we go in the pool.

and I remember our youngest son, he found out, like, he couldn't swim on his own, obviously, he had like the little floaties, but we showed him how he could run and jump into the pool into our arms, and, like, he loved it. And, like, he's, like, my active one. Like, he is just go, go, go all the time. So it was, like, the funniest thing. He just kept running and, like, jumping into our arms. Like, he did that for, like, 20 minutes and just, like, laughing and having a good time. Like everything, we were just, you know, being our normal selves, like having fun. So later in the day, it was like later in the morning, early afternoon maybe. No, it wasn't early afternoon, excuse me.

It was late morning. And he still took naps, my son. So he fell asleep on the couch upstairs because it was like a loft area and then it was the downstairs. So he fell asleep up there on the couch. And my husband was like, hey, me and my dad are going to go grab some lunch. I'm going to go with him and then we'll be right back. So I was like, okay. So I don't know what I did, but like he fell asleep on the couch.

I'm like, I'm going to go. I don't even know what I was doing. I was just like, I'm just going to go get some chores done or do something. Like he'll let him take his nap. I'm not going to move him. He looks comfortable. And so, and like the couch, it was just like a normal couch. It was a carpet like this.

And I put like an autumn in there. So like in case he did roll like nothing would happen. Like it wasn't like a, he'd be falling to like heart. hardwood floor and like hurt himself. Like he would like he was safe. Like I felt comfortable just leaving him there. So I might have just been like going downstairs. My other son was down there and I was just like hanging out with him. And then I remember going to do the dishes. And I heard my son crying upstairs. And so I was like, okay, let me go grab him. So I stopped what I'm doing. And I go up there and like it looked like he had rolled off of the couch, but like only like his lower

half of his body. His body was like on the ground like he was on his knees and his upper body was like resting on the couch and he was like crying so I went over to him and I pick him up and I'm like okay like he he still seems tired let me go try to put him back to sleep maybe in our bed I go into our room and I go to lay down with him and I'm so he's two at the time so he's still little so I'm holding him on my chest and I'm just like rubbing his back and he quiets down and I'm like rubbing his back and I'm like his skin feels really cold and clammy and I'm like that what the hell So I, like, look down and, like, his skin is, like, discolored. Like, he almost looks like he's, like, gray.

And I'm like, oh, my God. So I'm like, is he breathing? So I had my, I rested my hand on his back. And it was, like, so slow. And his heartbeat was slow, too, like, really slow. And I'm like, oh, my God, he's not breathing. So I try, like, waking him up. And, like, he'd raise his head, not even opening his eyes.

He'd cry for a minute. And then his head would. go down. So I'm like, holy shit, like, I need, we need to get help. So I'm panicking. So I meet, I jump up. I grab my phone and I call my husband. I'm like, I don't even say hi, hello, nothing. I'm like, you need to get back here. Now we need to bring him to the hospital. Something is wrong. And I hang up. I'm like, and that's it. I just left it at that. I'm like, maybe he'll take that as like, this is an emergency. Like, get the fuck back here. So I screamed down the stairs from my mother-in-law. I was like, something is wrong. He's not breathing. Like, what?

what do I do? And so obviously, like, she's coming from, like, doing whatever. And so she's like, oh, like, what's wrong? And I'm like, he's not breathing. Like, I need, we need help. We need to go to the hospital. So she's like, okay, okay, like, let's calm down. Let me see him. So she takes him and she's like, oh, okay. And I don't even know if, like, she saw, like, what I saw. But I think she was just trying to, like, be the calm person in the situation. Because I was like, we need to go. Like, there's an emergency. And she's like, okay, like, let's figure this out. Like, let's take a step back and like look. So she takes him from me. She's like, let's go next door because the next door neighbor, she's a retired pediatrician. She's like, let's see if she has like any advice. Like,

because at this point I have 911 like ready to call or I'm like, we either need to do that or go to the hospital ourselves because the hospital from their house was like a five minute drive, like not far at all. So I knew we could get there really fast. And I figured we could get there faster than calling an ambulance and waiting for them. So she still has him. She's like, let's go next door and ask her, the pediatrician, what she thinks. So we walk outside. And just as we're walking outside, the neighbor's husband was, like, on a bike ride.

And he walks up and he, like, takes one look at us. And he's like, hey, like, what's up? She's like, hey, like, do you mind just grabbing your wife? Like, we just want to ask her a question about her son. He's like, uh, yeah, sure. So he like runs in and she comes out. She's like eating her lunch. She's like, hey, what's up?

And my mother-in-law is like, hey, like, what's your opinion? Like, does he look okay? Like, do we need to bring him to the hospital? And she took one look at him and she's like, I don't like the way he looks. You need to get him to a hospital immediately. Like, I, she's like, yeah, she's like, nope, I do not like the way he looks. Like, you need to go right now. And as she's saying that, I see the truck.

My father-in-law is driving and they're coming down the street. So I'm like telling them, like signaling them to like, come on, like, hurry up. So I have my son now. They pull in. I like hand him over immediately to my husband. I like whip the door open. I hand him. I said, I need a graph.

I don't know what I was thinking. I was like, I need to grab my shoes and his diaper bag because his diaper bag had my wallet in it and like all our medical information and all that stuff. So I'm like, I don't know what was happening like in my head, but I'm like, and I didn't have shoes. I'm like, I'm not walking in a hospital without shoes. And also we didn't know how serious this was. I just knew that he wasn't breathing, obviously.

That's very serious. But I'm like, let me just grab my stuff. And it was right there. So I grabbed my stuff and I come back out and I hop in the back seat. And all my husband, he has no idea what the hell's going on. All I said was there's an emergency. You need to come now. So he's like holding him up in the front seat and just like, hey, like wake up.

Come on. Like stay with us. Wake up. And he's freaking out now. We're on the way to the hospital. And there's like, it's only like one turn. It's only like one set of traffic lights that you have to hit before you get to this hospital and you have to turn left.

And I remember we got to the left turn and it was a red light. And I screamed at my father-in-law. I'm like, run through the red light right now. We need to get there. Like cut everyone off. And like he's a type of person. He's very like laid back and just like calm and quiet. So he's just like, I don't know what to do.

And as soon as I'm like in the middle of like, like screaming at him, it turns green and he just like goes. But like I felt so, like I think about that all the time. And I'm like, I go up to him. Like anytime I see him, I'm like, I'm so sorry for yelling at you. He's like, I really don't care. He's like, I understand. Yeah. So we get through the light and we get to the hospital. Like I said, it's like five minute drive. And meanwhile, like, I'm like, you need to keep him awake. Like our son. I was telling my husband you, um, about our son. I'm like, you need to keep him away. Keep shaking him. I'm like, I don't care what you need to do, keep him, like, somewhat, like, awake. Because, like, I said, he'd, like, lift his head

with his eyes closed and cry, and then it would just slump down and be, he'd be, like, limp. So I'm like, I don't even care. Just keep doing that. I don't care that he's crying. Crying, it's good because he's making noise. It means he's still breathing. Like, just keep doing that. So we did that the whole way to the hospital. And then my, my father-in-law pulled up to the emergency room. We hop out. like I said, COVID is a thing. So like they're, they're very strict about who's there and masks and all of that. We just bolt through all of the doors. We go through. We don't even go to the front desk. We just start screaming. My husband starts screaming. He's like, he's not breathing. We need help. So they must have seen us and been like, who the fuck are these crazy people? Because we just like

bolted in. Like we were fucking breaking into the place. So they're like, a nurse was like right there. and she's like, oh, okay, and she like scans her little badge and, like, lets us back into, like, where their rooms are. And she, like, had us lay him down on the hospital bed. And at that point, like, I don't even remember, like, what was going on. I just remember, like, a million people rushed in. I don't even know who they were, what their job titles were, like, nothing. And, like, they hooked, they did the little finger thing and hooked him up and they had, like,

his vitals and stuff. Thank God, I don't know what any of that meant at the time. because I'm sure the numbers were really low and really bad. And if I had known what they were saying, it probably would have made me spiral just because of the state that he was in. But yeah, I guarantee like every hospital staff that was working in that emergency room then had been in that room.

Like that's what it felt like. And I had backed up and was letting them do their thing and like sat down. And then there was like one staff member being like, okay, like what happened? And I'm like, I don't know. he woke up from a nap. He wasn't breathing very well.

And now we're here. Like, I don't know what happened. And then he's like, it's like, okay, well, he's like, did he fall or like get hurt or anything? I was like, no. Like, nothing, like, nothing happened. We had a normal day. Like, he's good. But they just kept asking like, okay, like, are you sure he didn't fall?

I'm like, no. Like, like I said, like the fall before the day before. They just like didn't come to mind. No, because it was such a normal thing. Like, kids fall, they get up. Like I said, they get up and they're fine. But then I'm like, oh, I was like, well, when I found him up, like, when I found him, when he first woke up from his nap, he was like half rolled off of the couch. I'm like, but it didn't look like he had fallen far.

Like it was literally just like kneeling on the carpet. I'm like, and it's carpet. It's not hardwood. Like he didn't hit anything. Like, I'm like, he might have rolled off the couch during his nap, but like it's not like the couch is very close to the ground. Like it wouldn't cause anything. So in my mind, that's what I was thinking. I was like, okay.

So I'm like, yeah, he had that fall. Maybe that's it. And they were like, oh, okay. And I just, like, at that point, like, we didn't know the severity of it. So I just remember sitting in the chair and I'm, like, think I'm like, okay, well, like, we're in a hospital. They know what they're doing. They're going to make him better. And then we're going to go about our day.

Like, I don't know what's causing this, but they're going to figure it out and they're going to help us and everything's going to be fine. So after, like, a few minutes of asking us just, like, basic questions about everything that had happened. They're like, okay, we're going to send him up to get a CT scan. It will be like a couple minutes, but we're going to go do that. You can't come with us because, like, you only, like, certain people can go, like, in those rooms. So, like, you just got, you guys just wait here. We'll be back in a minute. So they go and do that. And then, like, I don't even remember who it was, but someone had come in and they're like, okay, let's go wait in the waiting room because,

like, for whatever reason. They're like, let's just go wait out there instead of in here. So we go out to the waiting room And like in the waiting room It's like the area where like it's um There's like the barrier It's like a see through barrier and there's a door And you need a badge to get into like the patient rooms So we're like just in the regular waiting room area

There's people there just a typical like emergency room Waiting room And so we were sitting I was sitting in the chair And my husband I don't even know like what was going through his head But he was just kind of like pacing And all of a sudden we see them roll our son because we can see that room that we're adjusting because it's right across from us.

And we see them roll him in and they shut the curtains. And my husband, like, loses his fucking mind. And he's like, what are they doing with our son? Why can't we see him? Why won't they let us in there? Like, we need to go in there and see what's wrong. Like, what's going on? Screaming in this waiting room.

And I don't know what to think. And I'm like, holy shit. Like, I'm literally, like, I just remember sitting there, like, staring at the ground. Like, oh, my God. Like, I don't know what. to do. So he's losing his mind. And one of the front desk ladies comes and she's like, sir, you need to calm down. If you don't calm down, I'm going to call security on you. He's like, fucking call security. I don't care. They, like, let us see our son. Something's wrong and they're not

telling us what's wrong. Like, where his parents, we need to figure out what's wrong. So obviously, she calls security and the security dude comes and it's just like those wicked chill. He's like, hey, like, what's going on? And my husband, like, lose. He's like, they won't let us see our fucking child. Like, what is going on? And he's like, hey, he's like, I'm sure there's a reason why they're doing their thing. They're getting him help. He's like, you got to calm down though.

There's people in here who are, because there was like a full emergency, like a full waiting room. And so my husband's like, okay, fine. Like, I'll calm down. Like, whatever. So he's like, okay, like cool. So he's the security guard just kind of hung out there. So that happened.

So he calms down. and then they're like we need to admit him to the hospital since he's being taken care of here and he had the scan so he's like so somebody's like you need to come fill out all these forms and i'm just like my head is in the fucking clouds i'm like okay like i have is i have all of like all our medical information and everything in like my little wallet so i'm like right down the hall um and i can like look to it was like to my left and i could see the um like where his room was It wasn't very far. So she's asking me a million fucking questions, and I'm like,

I'm just like spitting out whatever I'm thinking. I'm like, when's this date of birth? What, like, all this medical information and all of this, like, insurance information. I'm like, I just threw the cards at her. I threw my wallet. I'm like, take whatever you need. I'm like, I don't know. She's like, okay, well, I need you to sign all these forms.

And I'm literally signing and looking, signing and looking to make sure, like, nothing's going on because they're still in there with the curtain closed. So I'm just like signing whatever. And then one of the doctors, I guess, went up to my husband. I was like, hey, we need to talk to you guys. And I'm, like, still signing stuff. And I didn't hear this. But my husband is like, hey, come over here.

Like, they need to talk to us. And I told the lady that I'm like, I need to go right now. She's like, no, no, no, take your time, whatever. So I, like, threw the thing down. And I, like, go over. And it's like this little, like, not like a, it's like they have, like the little dividers, like a seat like this and the dividers and the person across from you. and some lady in like a doctor's outfit she's like uh she's like i need you guys to sit down

and i know from like movies and tv shows like when they tell you to sit down like something's wrong like it's like it's serious it's bad so i sit down and my husband's like i'm not sitting down he's like just he's like just tell me like give us the news like what's wrong so um i remember just sitting across from her and she was like looking dead at me and she's like So we did a CT scan of your son. He has a fractured skull and it's causing a brain bleed. And his brain is swelling up and that's what's causing him to go in and out of consciousness right now. She's like, we're not a children's hospital.

So we're going to call him med flight to get him over there because it's the fastest way. But she's like, we put him in a medically induced coma for right now because it's going to slow down the swelling. And it's not going to like hopefully slow it down and not make it worse. So, like, she's like, that's what we're doing right now. We called the med flight. They're on their way. They're like, but for right now, they're like, you need to, you're going to talk to the police officer. That's, like, you need to go talk to him.

And so I turn around, and there was a police officer right behind us. And so I was like, and like, so if I can, like, backtrack. Yeah. So, like, while she's telling me this, like, I, like, my face was, like, literally just blank. I, like, had no emotion. I wasn't crying. I wasn't literally just nothing. I just remember I was, like, leaning forward and just, like, staring at her like this while she's telling me.

Like, it didn't feel real, like, at all. I'm like, this didn't happen. Like, this, this wouldn't, like, this couldn't happen to me. This couldn't happen to our son. Like, he was fine. He, like, he went to, he went and took his nap. And before that, he was fine. We were in the pool.

We had breakfast. Like, everything was good. And now you're telling me. me like, um, he, this is what's wrong. And I think the only thing I asked her, I'm like, is he going to be okay? And she was just like, I don't know. She's like, the brain is such an unknown thing. She's like, I can't tell you if he's going to be okay or not. It's like, I just, I can't. She's like, I'd be lying to you. So I'm like, okay. So then she was like, yeah, you need to speak. You guys need to speak to the police officer or whatever. So I turn around

and there's a police officer just standing, like, right behind us. And he's like, okay, who, which statement am I getting first? And I'm like, what's going on? I'm like, I was like, me, I guess. Like, he's like, okay, let's step over here. Because at first I was like, oh, can we go with you together, like me and my husband? He's like, no, I need to just talk to you guys separately. So in my head, I'm thinking, oh, my God, like, he's here because my husband was freaking out in the waiting room.

and now we caused the scene and people are probably complaining and I'm like they called the police on us because he like didn't stop and that's what I was thinking so I'm like okay great uh so I go and um and he's like okay so like tell me everything that happened so I start saying like oh like you know they took him away and he started freaking out and he's like no no he's like what what happened with your son how did this happen so I was like oh so I gave him the whole rundown everything that happened he woke up from his nap wasn't really breathing we came straight here and he's like okay well what caused him to be like this and i'm like i have no idea we don't know he was like okay he's like and that's it so he's like i'll talk to your husband now and i'm like oh i'm like is i'm like is that it like what's going on like why why do you need this statement and he kind of just sat there inside he's like okay well he's like the doctor who did your did your on CT scan had seen that there was past trauma on his right side of his brain. So we believe that this is a case of child abuse. And I'm like, what the fuck? Like, like, never in my life did I think that I would

ever be, like, accused of, like, child abuse? Because that's, like, not who I am. Like, that's not how I was raised. That's not how I'm, like, raising my kids. It's also just surprising to me. I mean, I guess that's their job, but at the same time, it's surprising to me that that's where it would go so fast, I guess. So that was like, besides finding out about my son and like, yeah, like, we don't know if he's going to be okay. Like, now we think it's because of you. So the police officer tells me that, and he's like, yeah, they found past trauma on his right side because the fracture and the bleed were on his left side. So, like, we found past trauma on his right side, not as severe, but, like, we see. So the past trauma they were saying they saw, like it was different than what was causing the bleed or no.

No, they just said it looks like he had had past head trauma before this incident. Got it. Like something had happened and it's healed now, but it left a mark is what they were essentially saying. Okay. So, and I guess that's how they determine if people are abusing their kids. I guess it's like a typical sign. Okay. Like this has happened before.

So obviously, we're going to investigate now. And I'm like, oh my God, like, I'm like, no. Right. News to me. That's, we don't do that at all. Like, I love my kids to death. I would never lay a hand on them like that, no. And I'm like, look, I'm like, we believe he has. And I had actually been mentioning this to all the people beforehand.

I actually forgot to mention. We had mentions that we were currently, in the process of getting a diagnosis for CP. And I'm like, we've been seeing people, because we're not from here, obviously. We're in Texas, we're from New Hampshire. So completely new area. Like we don't know anything, anyone, nothing.

So we're like, no, we're from New Hampshire. We're seeing people at Boston Children's and we're like in the process of getting like a diagnosis of CP. And they're like, okay, well, we don't have a documentation for that right now. So yeah, we can't take your word for it. basically and you don't have a diagnosis right now so you're kind of shit out of luck but we just kept like going over and over like no like listen this is they believe this is what happened to him like

we're trying to get figured out we never got the MRI because it was pushed back and they just like we're not having it he's like okay well that's not what the doctor knows or sees so we're just going based off of what he said so I finish that up and I'm just like in complete shock because I'm like, first they tell me like, yeah, we don't know if your son's going to be okay and he has all of this trauma. And still, I have no idea why. I'm like, what the fuck happened? And now they're thinking that like we did this.

Like it was just like, I think I was just in so much shock. Yeah. And it happened so fast. So yeah. And actually, so I brought him. So we got to the hospital around like 1.30. And then this at all. all unfold in within like an hour, I think. This was like 2.30, almost 3 o'clock maybe, like

probably less than that. This was all happened within like an hour of like stepping in there with him and them taking over. So he does the thing, he does the interview with my husband. And at that point, we had had my father-in-law was actually in the parking lot in his truck just like waiting to like see what happens. So at that point he had come in and sat in the waiting room and then he was in contact with my mother-in-law, so she had come to the hospital as well. And also our other son was at their house. My husband's uncle was there, like doing construction and stuff like on their house. So he was with our older son. So like he, he was good there. Like I can't even imagine bringing him to that situation. Like that would have been nuts. So yeah, he was there. He was good.

So we were all there. All four of us were there. And then we, they're like, okay, the med flight is on its way, they're, like, going to land. There's nowhere for them to land, like, on the roof, which I thought, like, every hospital had, like, a helicopter pad or, like, the bigger ones, at least. And it was a pretty, like, decent-sized hospital, but I guess they, like, didn't. So they're, like, they're trying to find a place to, like, set the hospital, or, Jesus Christ, set the helicopter down. And they, and it just so happened to be, like, right outside and front. Like, I could see it out of the window. So they landed there. They come in. And I guess, they're like exchanging information with the staff there. So, um, they come out to the waiting room and

they're like, okay, they're like, they're going to prepare him to be med flighted. You can come in and kind of talk with the people who are going to be on the med flight if you want to meet them and just kind of, I think that's what it was. So we're in the room with my son. And I'm just kind of sitting next to his bed. And they have him in a, in a medically induced coma at this point. So like, he's all hooked up. He has a tube down his throat. And like, I don't even think I could even look at him. I know that sounds horrible, but like, I just, like, I just couldn't, like, I was holding his hand, but, like, I just couldn't look at him. And I just remember talking to the the guy who was going to be in the helicopter. I don't know what their title was, like the

midflit crew. And they were like some of like the nicest people ever. They're like, hey, we're so-and-so, we're going to take really good care of him. It's going to be a safe flight. like, you know, we'll keep him safe on the flight and we'll deliver him to the other hospital and he'll be fine. Not like fine in a sense that like, you know, he's going to make it. But like, he's like, we're going to do everything in our power to get him from this point to the other hospital and it will be a safe trip. And I'm terrified of flying. So I was just like, oh my God, like, I'm like, you're taking my son and going like in a helicopter. Like, that's nuts. But then we found out that we couldn't go. Because I thought that like one of us could go.

So that's what I had said. I'm like, oh, can one of us go? And they're like, they're like, they said that nobody can go and like it's just going to be us. There's not enough room. Like with all of us and the equipment and him, there's just, there won't be enough room. So I was like, okay, that's fine. We'll just follow them there or whatever. So he's like, it's like a 10 minute med flight. And then we'll be there. He's like, let's exchange numbers. I'll call you when we get there. And when he's safe, I'll let you know that we got there safe. So I was like, okay. The med flight crew, they were so nice and so comforting. They're like, we're going to take great care of them.

We'll get him there in no time. Like, you're good. So we exchanged numbers. And then I go back out to like where we were. And the police officer, he was still there the whole time. He's like, yeah, you guys can't go to the other hospital with him. And we're like, why not? He's like, well, we're taking this as an investigation right now because CPS is now involved.

So you're technically being detained right now. And I was like, are you fucking kidding me? Like, I'm like, you can't, I'm like, I'll sit in the back of your car and you can drive us there. Yeah, you can watch us. I'm like, we'll fall, you can fall right behind. Like, we're not going to go anywhere else. Like, what the hell? And that cop, like, I still think back to it.

He was such an asshole. Not all cops are. I'm not saying all cops or, but he was. Well, especially in that kind of situation. It's like. There was just no, like, no. like no remorse for us at all. Like I understand you're doing a job. Like you're a police officer. Like you can't really have that much emotion. They should let you guys in and then had you guys

being watched or something. Something like that. Yeah. And I was just like beside myself. I'm like, oh my God. So I was, so I said that. I'm like, you can follow us. I'm like, I don't even sit in the back of your car if you want me to. Like just get us there. Yeah. And he was like, well, he'll be in surgery. So it's not like you'll be able to see him anyways. And I'm like, but that's not the point. I'm like, God forbid, something does happen. I'm going to be all the way across town. And this was in Houston, Texas. And Houston's a huge, it was like the biggest city in Texas. And it's like a 30-minute drive. And that's like with or without traffic. Like, you don't know. So I'm like, well, if something happens, then what? Are you not going to let us go there?

So he's like, no, he's like, you guys have to stay here until my or his boss comes. And he was like an investigator. investigator, he's like, you guys need to wait until he gets here, and he's going to ask you questions, and then you'll be free to go. So I'm thinking, okay, he's on his way. And I think he might have said that, like, oh, yeah, he's on his way. He'll be here shortly. So I'm thinking, okay, like, they'll get him on the med flight. They'll get him into surgery, and then we'll be here for a little bit, and then we can just go. So we're, like, waiting. And as we're waiting, I forgot to say, like, the doctors came out and they're like, okay, like, they're ready. The med flight crew is ready to take him.

They're like, we'd like you to say goodbye right now because we don't know if this is the last time that you're going to see him alive. So they're like, why don't you say bye now just in case you, like, this is like the last time. So I remember it was, I went first. Take your time. So I remember going first. And they warned me, they're like, he's not going to look like himself because he's, like, attached to all these machines and he has a tube down his throat. But they're like, he's not feeling any pain right now, but just say bye, just in case. I remember going up to him, and it looked like he was just, like, sleeping.

Like, he looks so comfortable, like, considering everything. And I just remember, like, I just, you know, was talking to him and I'm like, you're going to be okay. Like, everything's going to be fine. And I remember purposely, like, I'm like, I'm not going to say goodbye. so I just remember like saying what I said and and after I was just like I'll see you later like I didn't want to say bye because I'm like then you know I feel like mentally that would just you know I just I can't do that like it's not goodbye like you're going to be fine they're going to take care of you and you're going to be fine and so then my husband went and then like I said my in-laws were there so they went and said their thing and then they rolled him out and we could see them rolling him out to the helicopter because it was right there. So at this point, so after the, I know I'm kind of going all over the place. But the police officer is like, hey, we're going to put you, there's like a separate room from the waiting room. It's like probably like half the size of this room and it has like chairs and like a bench or something.

And there's like a privacy door. So he's like, you guys can stay in here while we wait so you're not just waiting out here. So I remember going back into that room after they took him out. We saw them roll him out, and I just remember, like, standing at the window with my husband, and we were just, like, hugging each other. And we saw them, like, lift off and just go. And, like, that was it. And I just remember, like, hugging. Sorry.

No, you're okay. I just remember hugging my husband and just turning to him, and I said, no matter what happens, like, I want you to know that I love you. Because I didn't know, like, I didn't know if we were going to, like, lose our husband. our son that day, you know? So I'm like, I just wanted him to know, like, no matter what, whatever the outcome is, like, we need to be there for each other because, like, I can't do this alone. Not that I felt like I was going to, but, like, he never made me feel like that, but, like, I just had to say it out loud and just make it, like, this is real. This, we could potentially

not, like, have, we could potentially, like, have one kid after, like, the end of the day. So, yeah, so that, I remember saying that to him. And, you know, he agreed. He's like, yeah, he's like, no. So he doesn't even be there for each other. No matter, like, whatever happens will be okay. So I remember just sitting there and waiting and waiting and waiting. And I remember, like, I had to, like, get up and, like, use the bathroom.

And, like, the police officer was there was just, like, standing outside the door. like he was like guarding the door like we were gonna break out of it like it just felt so just like like he missed feel like we were like criminals yeah so i remember i was like hey i'm just gonna like go use the bathroom he's like yeah sure like you can go and then i just like i don't know if it's just like my personality or what but like i just like i need other people's opinions and so i just i like asked him on my way back i'm like what do you think i'm like do you think he'll be okay considering everything, like, that's happened. And he was just like, I don't know.

I'm like, but this stuff, like, happens, right? Like, I don't even, like, I brought up, like, athletes. I'm like, athletes get head injuries and then they, like, come back from it and they can still play, like, sports and stuff. And he's like, yeah, but that's, like, months of recovery and, you know, all this money to, like, get resources. And, like, it's not just, like, an overnight thing. Like, they're, like, he's like, you'll be reteaching him how to do everything to walk to

eat. Like, it's not going to be easy if he does make it. And I was just, like, thinking, like, what the, I'm like, I don't care. I'm like, I'd rather him make it and have to reteach him everything than to lose him, you know. So I was just, I was, like, done talking to him. But, like, I don't know what. I think I was just grasping for something. Yeah. Like, I just wanted someone to be, like, he's going to be okay. But I just wasn't getting that. Like, everybody I talked to, they're like, we, we don't know. Like, we can't tell you. So. I think it was like a few hours we were there. And meanwhile, we got the phone call, the med flight crew, he called me, and he's like,

okay, he's like, we're here, he's good, he's going into surgery now. But I just want to let you know, like, everything. He was fine during the flight, so I was like, okay, that's good. So he was in surgery, and I didn't know how long surgery it was going to be. But, like, right after that time, the police officer was like, okay, my, boss is here, you can interview you guys one at a time. And this was probably like two or three hours after. So we've just been sitting in this room at this first hospital for hours waiting on this guy. Like, I don't know. I don't know what they were thinking. So I go first and it's just like

some like old dude, you know, and he's like, okay, like tell me your name, where you're from or like where you live and everyone that lives in the house where this happened. So I was like, okay, I was like, well, we're just visiting. We're from New Hampshire, but we're visiting my in-laws. We don't live here. We're just visiting. He's like, okay, but he's like, tell me everyone that lives in the house. He's like, just include you guys. So I start listing off everyone, like me, my husband, the kids. And I was like, oh, yeah. And my husband's or my father-in-law's grandma, he's like, okay, what's her name? And I, like, oh, my God. I'm like, I don't even know her name. I'm like, this is the first time I ever met her. And, like, I was introduced to her as granny.

like, hey, this is Granny. And so I just start, like, laughing. And he's like, and he just, like, looks at me. I'm like, I'm so sorry. I'm like, I don't know her name. And he's like, excuse me. I'm like, I'm like, I just met her like two days ago. I'm like, I just know her as Granny.

I'm so sorry. He's like, last name or anything. I'm like, I don't know. Right. And he's like, okay, we're just going to leave it at Granny. And I was just so I remember thinking, like, oh my God, this guy thinks I'm an idiot because I don't know this lady's name. but anyways so it was just the same thing like do you remember him falling uh what happened

how did you find him and just everything from start to finish and it was like being recorded so we just go one by one and i remember getting back to the room and my husband had gone in and i told my in-laws i'm like they asked me what granny's name once and i had no idea and she's like oh my god she's like don't worry but i'm like and she told me her name and i was like oh my God, like, I'm an idiot. So we finally do that. And they interview my in-laws, too, because at that point, since they, which we found it later on, since they thought that it was child abuse, they thought that his parents,

my in-my-in-law's were, like, condoning the abuse and, like, weren't reporting it for whatever reason. So that's why they interviewed them, too. So after that, they're like, okay, they're like, you guys are good to go. They're like, there's CPS people that are going to be on their way to the house. They want to take pictures. They want to interview your other son. Get all of the information they can from you guys.

Like, they need to go and do that. So it was like a crime scene, basically, like taking pictures of everything. Because at some point in the mix, like when everything was going, on and I also forgot to say this, but when they kept asking us if he had fallen and we were like, no, like, not, you didn't fall, like, maybe he rolled off the couch during his nap. Like, all of a sudden my husband's like, oh my God, yesterday when he fell and I thought he hurt his arm, maybe he actually like hit his head. But he's like, he didn't grab his head. He didn't cry and complain about his head hurting. Like, showed no signs of like anything. Right. He's like, if anything, I thought he like hurt his arm.

but he's like maybe that was it and they're like okay where did that happen and so we told them it was like on the first um step of their stairs going upstairs and where he had fallen it was on the left side of the staircase or yeah so if you're looking up the stairs it was the left side of the staircase and we believe because my husband was like right there like he wasn't i don't think he was like watching him like directly but like he it was like in his like vision like right there um but he my son has had like taken the first step and went to go grab the railing or the banister with his left hand, which is his hand that he has trouble with. So we think that when he took that step and went to grab,

his hands doesn't have the strength or the muscle to hold his weight up, and it slipped and he fell backwards. Okay. And where he fell, it's all tile. It's like the really hard, like real, like tile material, like not like hardwood, not carpet or anything. So like I don't know if that and that's like hard material. So like, yeah. So like that was like one of the worst things you could fall on. So that's what that's what had we had found that that's what had initially caused the fracture, which is nuts because like when

you think about it, like he's a little two year old. He fell probably not even a foot like backwards. But it was just like the way he hit his head. Right. Like you would think like something that crazy, like you'd fall, like, down the stairs or something like that. Like, that's, like, an insane injury to have from just, like, falling down one step. So that was just, like, to figure out that that's the reason that caused it. Like, that was just, like, crazy. Like, thinking back about it. Because we were, like, we said, like, when he fell, it wasn't a big deal. Like, he cried. Like, it was, like, any other fall. He cried and he got up and everything was good. And then we went about the whole, like, rest of the deal.

day. Yeah, and he was fine. The day, the night, everything. So it was like, we wouldn't, we have known, like, immediately. And they're like, oh, well, sometimes, you know, it can take a while. But, but that, so that's what caused it. But at the time, like, our heads were just spinning and we're just like, we didn't even think about it because it was, like, any other fall. So we just. Well, especially, too, because after he was, like, playing in the pool and, like, doing everything else. Yeah. And being so active and eating and doing every, like, everything that we would normally do. Yeah. So that's kind of what we. determined would is what cost it um or we think what cost it finally we're done with the investigator

there and they're like okay you're good to go told us that CPS was going to be by to take pictures and talk to our other son and ask him questions and kind of you know I guess get a feel of like and how old was your other son at this time like four he was three okay and talk to him and like what is he going to say you know yeah so I don't know and we weren't there when that happened so what happened what had happened was we um so we were getting ready to leave and i remember the the cop that was like an asshole he was like he was like it's like okay but like make sure you don't speed on the way there you know we don't want to get a ticket and i'm like fuck you buddy i'm like screw you like we're gonna go however fast we want like i don't even care so at that point you're headed to the hospital the other

hospital right so for whatever reason so we had the two cars there i don't know why i think i like need like i don't even know if i needed like water or something like i just needed like a snack like I hadn't eaten anything the whole day. I'm like, let me just go, because the house was five minutes. So I'm like, let me go, grab a snack and a water, and then we'll be on our way. So we do that. And we take my mother-in-law's car. And I remember plugging it into the GPS in my phone.

And it was like, you'll be there in like 30 minutes. And my husband, like, he's a car guy. So like he'll do whatever. He, and I don't know, this is like super illegal. But he drove like 120 the whole way there. And we were there in like 10 minutes. There you go. So I, but I remember being, and so, like, we don't know where anything is.

Like, if this were, would have been Boston, we know our way around. Right. Just because we're in and out of the city all the time, just because, like, with appointments and that's where we work. So, like, we know the city, but this is a completely new place. So we have no idea where we're going. So we're coming up to the exit, and I get a phone, or I'm getting a phone call, and it's from a Houston number.

I'm like, oh, my God, that might be the hospital. Like, holy shit, this is a call we've been waiting for. what's going to happen. So I answer it. And I'm trying to look at the GPS and my husband's like, where's the exit? And we're like going back and forth with trying to figure it out. And I have the phone on speaker. I'm like, hello. And they're like, oh, is this so-and-so's mother? I'm like, yeah. He's like, hi, I'm surgeon so-and-so. He's like, so he's out of surgery. And I'm like, okay. And he's like, yeah, surgery went great. He's recovering in the pick you, which is the pediatric ICU. But yeah, everything went great. We fixed the fracture. And he's trying to,

explain to me everything that like he did in surgery and I'm just like that is when all of the emotions just came out of nowhere yeah and like I like I burst into tears and I was like so he's okay he's like yep surgery went great I'm like no I'm like excuse me I'm like in your own words say he is okay and he just kind of chuckled and he's like yes he is okay and that's when I was like oh my god like You could breathe. Yeah. Like. How long was surgery?

Do you know? A few hours. Okay. Because they had probably taken him at the med flight probably around 2.30. So we probably got into surgery around 23. Uh-huh. And by the time we got to the second hospital, it was like between like six and seven. So a few hours.

So there was that whole few hours where we didn't know what was going on. Like they said that they made us say goodbye at the other hospital. So, yeah. So when he said those words, like, he is okay, I just, I like broke down. I'm like, oh, my God, like, this is, I knew. Like, I just, like, I had a feeling. I'm like, he's going to be okay. He's going to make it. So I'm like, okay, now that we know he's okay, let's take the steps to, like, make sure he stays okay. And like, you know, because we didn't know how, like, what recovery was going to be. And that's with every patient who has a brain injury. Like you don't know what recovery is going to be like.

It could take a week. It could take months. It could take years. They could just never be the same. Like you don't know. So finally, we get to the hospital because we were like two minutes away. And we ran up there. And I remember like, like I said, this is still COVID.

So like, put your masks on. And I'm like, fuck you. Like going up. So we get up there. And I remember there was this guy like just chilling like in the waiting room of the pick you. And he like looked like really out of place. And I'm like, what the hell is this guy doing? But they're like, so we gave the people,

our son's name, and they're like, okay, yeah, he's in room. He's in this room. So I remember they opened the doors, because, like, again, it's like you need a key to get into the patient rooms. And they opened the door and we're walking down the hallway and we're like halfway down and I heard him cry. And like, in my mind, I was just like so happy

because I'm like, that means he's okay. And like, I was so happy to hear him cry. So I just started crying again and I ran into that room and there was like a nurse next to him and she's like, oh, like you're okay like trying to calm him down. Meanwhile, like this is the first time I'm seeing him after surgery. So his head is all wrapped up in a bandage and like I can't see like really his eye like or it didn't cover his eyes but like it was all over his head and it just like didn't look like him. But I just were hearing. I heard him cry and I went over to the other side of the. bed and just held his hands.

I'm like, mom is here. Like, you're okay. And I think he, like, heard my voice, and he had calmed down and was just, like, resting. And I was just, like, hysterical. And I remember the nurse was like, like, she obviously didn't know what we had gone through earlier. So she was like, she's like, oh, no, this is completely normal.

He's waking up from anesthesia. Like, it can be like a really, like, what's the word? It's like, like, to transition to be, like awake like it's kind of it can be rough so she's like you know he might be a little upset because of that and I'm like no like it's okay like I'm so glad he's crying and she's like oh okay like I'm like I don't even care like I'm just I'm just glad that I can hear his voice again even if it is him crying but it was really nice to like talk to him and like I just like saw him calm down so I was like okay like this is okay um and the staff there not that the staff at the other

hospital was like rude or anything. They, they were just like, we don't know what's going to happen. They were just kind of up in the air. Like, we, we're kind of walking on eggshells right now because we don't know. And meanwhile, they thought that it was like child abuse too. So they're like, we don't know really how to respond to you guys. But at the children's hospital, it was like a night and day difference. Like they were so warm and welcome to us. They're like, he's doing great. His recovery has been great. Like, you know, the surgery went amazing. Like, you guys have, like, one of the best surgeons in the country. Like, you're really lucky that this had happened when it did. So that was nice. And then it's like some doctor came to talk to us. And we were explaining to her, we're

like, look, we believe he has several palsy. They're thinking, they call CPS on us because they think this is, like the stuff from the CP is what. So that's what I was going to ask you. That first fracture that they were seeing. So it wasn't even a fracture. It was coming up as plot twist. He had a prenatal stroke and does have several palsy. Okay. What it happened was when he did have the stroke, part of his brain on his right side is it didn't develop fully.

So that's what they were seeing. There's extra fluid there. Okay. So all they were seeing was fluid. Got it. They didn't know if it was blood. They assumed it was blood. Okay.

So they were like, okay, if there's blood in the brain on that side, then there's, there was some sort of injury. Injury. Got it. So that's what they had seen. So they just saw the extra fluid or they. But that was from the CP. Yes.

Okay. Yep. So we were explaining to that doctor there and she's like, okay. Like, you know, I understand, but you know, we're just trying to, they're just trying to do their job and just kind of do what they say. But she was very, like, much more comforting. Like, yeah. So the guy who was in the waiting room before who I was like, he looks really out of place. They're like, oh, someone from CPS is here to talk to you guys.

Because up until this point, we hadn't talked to anyone from CPS. We had just talked to the police. Yeah. So they're like, he just wants to talk to you one-on-one, like one at a time. So I go first and a wicked nice guy. We sit down in a room. He has a recorder and just the same thing. Tell him everything that happened and all that.

And he shuts the recorder off. And I'm just like, look. I'm like, I know there's people out there who, do this to their children, but I'm like, I can 100% tell you, like, I am not that person. We are not those people. Like, this is just like a huge misunderstanding, like, where he has, like, a diagnosis that we're trying to confirm, like, this. It's completely not right.

Like, I understand you're doing your job, but, like, we aren't those people. Yeah. And I remember him just sitting there and he was just, like, shaking his head. He's like, I can tell you from doing this job, like, through and through, like, all the time. He's like, I interview hundreds of people a day, like, just talk, like, or whatever. I interview a bunch of people. He's like, I can't say for certain, but he's like, I don't think you have anything to worry about, like, from hearing your story. And I was just like, holy crap.

I'm like, like, just hearing that. Not that I had anything to hide, obviously. but like when they tell you like yeah you're under investigation for child abuse like it's just like when you like you know that you don't do that like it was just insane to me like I couldn't wrap my head around it like so for someone from that side of it being like I kind of know what what to look for and I can tell when people are lying and all this he's like I really he's like let them just do their investigation but he's like I really don't think you have anything to worry about so I was like, okay, like a breath of fresh air. I'm like, okay, like, that's good, which we were. We were very,

like, cooperative. We gave them everything, all their, our information, answered all their questions. So, like, we, we did all we could. Yeah. And at the end of the day, if they could, they could believe whatever they wanted. So, but, like, in my mind, I'm like, I know I'm not that person, so. But anyway, so that happened. So I go back to the room and they interview with my husband. He comes back. And since it was still COVID, they're like, yeah, we're only a lot. And, we're only a allowing one visitor at a time, so one of you is going to have to leave. And I'm like, great. So my husband decided he'd be the one to leave, and I stayed there the whole night. I don't think I slept. I just sat there and I watched my son and I held his hand the whole time. And I was

just like went over everything in my head, like of the day. I'm like, that was like the craziest day I've ever had in my entire life. I'm just glad it ended with like this. And so that morning, I remember they came in, they did his vitals and they're like, okay, we're going to take his wrap off. and they took it off and I like saw his head for the first time and it was just like a shock because it happened on his left side. So he has a giant scar that goes from the top of his head to like right in the middle of his ear. And obviously they had used stitches. So like when they took it off, all I saw was like a bald head and a scar. And I just like, remember crying and I'm like, oh my God.

Like I can't believe this. I can't believe this is what my son looks like and I let this happen, you know? So that was really upsetting to see. And I'm like, I cannot believe that he's going to have the scar for the rest of his life over something so small, you know. So, but I was just like, you know, the alternative would have been worse. So I'm like, I'm just, like, I'm just glad and all that. And it was, he looks so funny because, like, he had all that and he only shaved, like, part of his head. So it looked like he was, like, balding on this side because they did, like, he looked like, balding on this side.

because they did like the whole like only shaved like a little bit. So we had like a little patch of hair right here for a while. So that was just funny. But yeah, so he had that. And then they let me hold him for the first time. And he was still connected to everything, but it was just really nice to be able to hold him. And then earlier that morning, my husband came.

And we switched rolls. I went to go, I went home and I took like a nap and he was there. And while he was there, You know, our son, he woke up. He was alert. He was starting to eat. He was drinking. They didn't want him to, like, walk yet. Because like I said, with that type of injury, like, you don't know how they're going to react. But they're like, no, he's showing signs that he wants to do things. Like, that's really good. And this is only, like, not even a day post-surgery. So, like, that's really good. So he stayed there. How long did he stay there for? I think he stayed the whole day and maybe the night to give me the day to rest, I think. because I was there. Like, I hadn't had a break. So I think he stayed there the whole day. And by that evening, he was sending me videos of him walking.

And he was holding his hand. And he was just, like, not like 100%, but like he was walking. Yeah. And like, I couldn't even believe that like not even 24 hours ago he had emergency brain surgery. And now he's walking. Like, like, that's incredible. Like, I thought he wasn't going to be able to walk for months.

Like, that's what they made it seem like. So then the next. next day. So he stayed the night and then I went in the morning and he was, he wasn't in the ICU anymore. He was in like the regular unit. So he wasn't under like intensive care anymore, which was good. They're like he's breathing on his own. Like he's showing signs of improvement. Like he's good. Like we don't need to monitor him 24-7. So I was there and we were only there for like half a day. And then the doctor on call was like, yeah, like you guys can go home. And I was just like scared because I'm like, oh my God, like, this crazy thing just happened and they're like giving us the okay

to go home now. Like, I don't know. It was just so weird because like when you think of someone having that like intense like surgery, like, I don't know. I just, I didn't expect him to be like good to go two days later. Yeah. Not even two days. And so yeah, we went home and they're like, okay, you're just going to have to like make sure like

he takes it easy. Yeah, you're going to have to watch him. let him relax and all that. And like, let me tell you, it was the exact opposite. Like, I was chasing after this kid. Like, he would run laps around the house. Like, obviously, I didn't let him. Like, I was holding his hand.

But I'm like, dude, you need to, like, slow down. Like, let's chill out. And, like, I have videos and stuff of just him, like, playing with his toys and, like, acting, like, how he did before. So that was really good to, like, know that, like, he was the same kid that he was before this. And like he was just like so happy and just. And did they give him the diagnosis there for the CP or you didn't get it until after? No.

So they were only concerned about the fracture and everything at that point. They're like we can't, we don't know any of his past history because they didn't have that at that point. So like we don't really know. Yeah, they were like, we'll just address this. Yeah. And the whole time we're like, here's their contact information in Boston. Like please call them. Like they'll let you know that we've been seeing them and trying to get this figured.

out. I think they eventually did, but at that point, we were already back home. So, yeah, so the whole recovery thing, like, he needed, like, that few days to recover and he was good to go. But he was fine, like there was nothing. Nothing. No, no concerns, like nothing. No. It was like he had that and then he just, like, got up and just, yeah. That's amazing. And they even told me that at the hospital, they're like, honestly, like, it's horrible that this happened to him. But at the same time, like at his age, at being two years old, they're like, kids are like rubber. Like they're meant to like fall down and get back up and be fine. They're like, if he had been any older, like a teenager or an adult, it could have been like a

worse outcome just because at his age, the bones aren't all fused together so that it's more like resilient to like fixing themselves. So they're like it's, even though it sucks that it happened, it's really good that like it happened at this age because it was a lot easier. So yeah, recovery was great. Eventually we got to go home back to New Hampshire, and I think it was probably like a few months later we were able to get in to go get an MRI finally. So we do that, we get that MRI and then we have to wait a little bit to get results. They can't give it to us right away. And I think a few weeks later, I was on like a Zoom call with the original doctor who had told me she thought it was CP. And like, sure enough, she's like, yep, she's like it's showing that he, did have the prenatal stroke and that he does have cerebral palsy and like that's what that marking is and that's what they saw okay so i was like holy shit i was like thank god i'm like i knew like obviously i knew like i'm not that type of person to do that to a child so like just to like

but it gives you that explanation of like okay well what was that you know and it's just like oh it like hit me so hard because like i had to go through so much shit at that hospital with the doctors the police, the CPS. And I was just like begging them. I'm like, look, I did not do this. How's the timing was horrible? Oh my God. I know. It was added just so much stress. Yeah. Because if we had had that initial MRI and let's say we got that MRI, we knew he had the CP and then the fall had happened and we explained that. I don't know how it would have gone. Like I really don't like to think about the what ifs, but like I feel like it would have gone a lot more smooth and differently, I guess.

And then she also said, she's like, oh, by the way, she's like, I just want to let you know. Obviously, we saw the mark on his left side where he had the fall. He's like, she's like, I don't know if they let you know this, but he doesn't have any signs of brain damage whatsoever. She's like, all we see is like the crack that was there or whatever. I don't know what she saw. But she's like, obviously, she saw something, but she's like, yeah, she was like, there's no brain damage whatsoever.

I don't know if they told you that, but just to kind of give you a peace of mind, I was like, well, thank God. I'm like, they didn't say, like, he did or he didn't. But it was just really good to know that, like, there was no damage there. And I do remember when the surgeon was, like, talking to me over the phone, I actually got, like, a more clear, excuse me, a more, like, clear answer afterwards when I had calmed down. So to fix the fracture, they actually used titanium. And, like, when you said titanium, I'm like, did you, they put, like, a titanium? plate in his head. I'm like, what the heck? But he explained it. It's like, no, it's like this, like mesh, like, mesh, like, very granulated, like, mesh material. And it's titanium. And they just

kind of filled in the blank space. They're like, yeah, we cut that piece of his skull out because it was cracked and just filled it with that. It's amazing what they can do. Mm-hmm. So, yeah, so now he just has no side effects of that. And, like, all he has from that is just the scar. And even, like, with his hair growing out, like, you can't really see it. Even, even, And still, like, I mean, who cares? Like, it's, right. It's a horrible, like, tragic story. But at the same time, it's like, you know, people see it. And they're like, oh, like, what happened? And, you know, we have to share it. Right. I don't know. And then as far as the CP goes, you said that's just something that with, I guess, time, you can kind of, like, improve as he gets older. Mm-hmm. So you can't, so with CP, there's no cure. So you can't 100% cure it, but then also it's not progressive. Okay. So all you can really do is strengthen that muscle. So his weak spots are like his fine motor skills and it's all like in this place. Okay. So like these three fingers are what he struggles with. So he goes to occupational therapy. Okay.

He doesn't do physical therapy because he just he doesn't need it because he doesn't need it because this. more so the fine motor skills. Okay. So he does that once a week, like outpatient. He does it in school. He also does speech because with the CP comes a little bit of like a speech delay and like speech impediment. So like I can understand what he's saying. And he gets better like every week, I swear to God.

So like whatever we're doing is like improving. And we still go to Boston every now and then. Like he sees his, we have a neurologist now. we see him two times a year they're great we see their therapists there and they're like yeah as long as you keep up with everything right they're like he he'll strengthen that hand and he'll be good that's amazing so yeah it's it's good to like everything that he went through and still goes through it's just good to know like where he is now like he's just shown so much improvement and yeah i don't know I'm just really proud of him. He's he's really brave kids.

Right. And I mean like you said too, it, you know, I feel like it's very easy to think, oh, this won't happen to me. So a few years ago, he had a seizure for the first time. He had never had one before and we're like, what the hell? And so we, it happened twice, or it happened first time and I told the neurologist. It happens in his sleep too. So he had woke it. So what happened was, and we got really lucky, He had woken up in the middle of the night and wanted to lay in our bed because I was very normal for him. He did that. He laid down.

And then I felt like him moving. And I was like, what the hell is that? And I turn over and he's shaking. And I'm like, holy shit. I'm like, he's having a seizure because I've never seen a seizure in person. And so I wake my husband up. We call 911. We get him to the hospital.

It only lasted like less than a minute. And he like bounced straight back. And I was like, what is going on? Like, what is wrong? So we bring him to the hospital. And so I called his neurologist and the neurologist is like, if it happens again, we'll put him on medication. But he's like, I don't want to start medication because once you start it, you can't stop. So he's like, this could be like a one-time fluke thing or it could continue on.

He's like, if it continues, then we'll take measures and give him medication. And so he had another one. Yeah, so he had another one while we were on vacation. I don't know what it is with him when we go away, right? Stuff happening. but we were like with family again but he was sleeping in our bed that night and he had had another one so i called a neurologist immediately and then he's like when you guys get back we'll start him on medication and he was good for that was two years ago he was good for two years and uh he had another

one a few months ago same thing in his sleep my other son actually came in and woke us up and was like because they share a bedroom and he must have heard something and he's like he came and he's like there's an emergency like my older son he is a same thing he is a saint like he he is like like oh he's he's he's so good like I love him to death but yeah so he helped out a lot with that but we figured out that his uh we hadn't updated his like um dosage for his medication yet so he had gained so much like not so much weight but like over the two years the dosage that he had was too low so do they know what causes seizures we don't know it happens it just happens in his sleep. We don't know if it's from the CP or the TBI, the traumatic brain injury. And is there

any way that they can? We can do, we did a sleep study, but only one that was like, it was like an hour long. So I had to keep him up for like a really, really long time and then put him to bed at the hospital and they put like all the things on his head. Yeah. And it came back normal. So they're like, okay. But I have an appointment later on this month with the neurologist. And because he had the, so he had actually two seizures a few months ago. And when I, like, I read up on it, like that, I guess it's normal. Like, if you don't have a seizure for a long time, you'll have that initial one. And then we up to his dosage, obviously.

And then he had, like, some, like, fluke one, like, a week later. So, but since then, that was in September. So he hasn't had one sense. So you're kind of still in the process of, like, figuring. Yeah. So I think I'm going to ask about doing, like, an extended sleep study. Okay. Because I think it's, they happen at the same exact time.

And it's like really early in the morning, like 4.35 o'clock in the morning. Okay. So I'm assuming it might be something, and I mean, I'm not a doctor. So I think maybe it has something to do with like his sleep cycle. Like maybe he hits a certain point in his cycle and it causes a seizure. But I don't know. It's crazy. Yeah, it is.

But other than that, like besides the seizures, like there are no side effects. Okay, good. He lives his life. Yeah. That's amazing. Yeah. But no, like I was saying before, you know, I think it's a good testimony because like you said, you know, a lot of people can hear these different stories or these things and think like, wow, that's crazy or that's scary, but like, you know, you don't think it would happen to you. No, never.

And sometimes it's not something that you see and it just goes to show that like it's something that can, you know, your life can change within the matter of minutes or seconds and it's terrifying. And I think that it just goes to show that it really can happen to anybody. And even just, you know, like I was saying before, there's been a good amount of people. people on this show that also talk about how important it is to speak up when you feel like something's wrong, even if doctors say, oh, no, everything's fine or oh, it's not this. Like, not saying that Google is always right either, but if you have a gut feeling that something's wrong, definitely listen to it. And it's crazy because you hear it all the time.

Right. Everything, like when people have these stories and they get into these situations, it's always after the fact, like, damn, I should have looked more into it. I should have done this. I should have done that. And it's like, I mean, nowadays, that's exactly what I do. If I feel uncomfortable about something or think something's off or don't think that I got the right information, I'll look elsewhere.

Like, I'm not playing around anymore. Get the second opinion, third opinion, do what you have to do. I don't even care. Right. Now. I don't care if you're offended. I do not care. I'm like, the safety of like myself and my kids is like what's important. And I think, too, that's what people sometimes worry about is like, oh, I don't want to look crazy or over. step, you know, because like if you're not a doctor, obviously, like, you don't have the education. Like they're the professional. Exactly. That's what they teach you. But it's better to, it's better to speak up and look like the crazy person. Because then at least, you know, you know that you're fighting for what you feel is right and what's going on in your gut. But you did amazing, seriously. And I'm so happy that he's okay. And that's like, even the situation that you were talking about, like with the police and stuff, that's like a whole other thing that, you know. It just added to it.

Right. I'm already in shock about like almost losing my child, not knowing. And now you're throwing this on top of me. And that's the thing. Like I get the people have to do their job too. But it's like, can we like, there's a time and there's a place. Yeah. Can you like wait a second? Like we're human beings. Right. Like can you wait until at least after everything happens to see, you know, to that he's so that you guys know he's okay and everybody can just like calm down. Yeah. So I feel like it's also not a good time to question somebody. Yeah. Oh my God. Yeah. I. But, you know. I don't even know what I looked like to those people. I probably was. as pale as a ghost and literally no emotion. So, but no, you did such an incredible job and I'm so grateful that you wanted to come on and share your story.

Seriously, it's important. It's very therapeutic for me to like speak it. I remember after the fact I had gone to therapy like a year later and I couldn't even get through it through it without crying. It's heavy. It's a lot. I couldn't. And it was like almost like after that therapy session and getting it out for the first time really

like start to finish with someone. it was almost like I was like, okay, like I can talk about this now and like I can be okay talking about it. And the fact of knowing that he is where he is now and today, like and he's okay, like I can speak about it. Yeah. And make other people aware of like if you think something's wrong, say something, you know. And it's important too because, you know, it even if something, you know, we, we know these

terms for different things like, for example, the CP, but obviously. there's not enough. Like, I know that there's knowledge about it, but clearly, sorry. No, that's okay. Clearly, you know, there wasn't enough for a doctor to know right away. Yeah. And obviously that's not his specialty. Right.

Send me to someone who is. Right. Like, yeah, for sure. Or if somebody is concerned, be like, look, I don't think it's this or I don't know, but like if you want another opinion, you know, do this. But it just, it does go to show why it is so important, like I said, to speak up and to kind to do the extra research. Even if you don't find the right answers, it just doesn't hurt.

It's a step in the right direction, though. For sure. So, but thank you so much. Yeah, thank you very much. You did incredible, really. Great job. Is there anything else you wanted to add or you think you got it all? I would say what helps just like to finish off.

But like what I do now, like I think it's really good to like join support groups. I'm part of like a bunch of support groups on Facebook. And I follow people who actually live with CP. like they're adults now and it's just really like comforting to see them like living their life the way they do right and like showing that like you can live a normal life with CP and like be okay yeah so it's like as a parent with a child with that like it's very comforting knowing that like he's going to be okay as well yeah and I think it opened you up too to more knowledge and information definitely you can never have too much you know so yeah that's amazing and that being said if you have any resources or anything of

the sort that you want me to include in the description, feel free to send it over, and I'd be happy to put it in there for people. I don't think I have, like, I just have, like, support groups that I personally follow. I mean, they're all out there. Not every one of them is public. Like, you have to fill out, like, you don't have to, like, know someone with CP or you have it yourself. Okay. But I'm part of both. Okay. So it's really good. So just kind of. Yeah, just so people know that they're out there for sure.