Sunday, August 2, 2009

Today turned really fucked up really fast.

I never made it to Minnie's party. I was at Leo's party and everyone was sitting around talking one minute and it seems like the next minute, there was CPR and paramedics and just all kinds of badness going on.

Mason is 4 years old. He kinda knows how to swim, but not really. He was sitting on Jeff's sister's lap, then got up to go play with a little girl by the pool. How he got in the pool, we don't even know. I guess he just fell in, or got knocked in by a bunch of running kids or something. One of the older kids found him a few minutes later laying at the bottom of the pool. He pulled him out and his lips were blue and he wasn't breathing and he had no pulse. Jeff's mom took a picture of him at 4:38 and at 4:45, we placed the 911 call. In a matter of minutes, he managed to walk away and drown and we all sat there knowing nothing.

Jeff's brother in law jumped into action and started CPR and was able to get him back to some shallow breathing by the time the paramedics got there. Once they roughed him up and got him outta shock, he was just screaming his head off. All I could do was stand there bawling. Seeing a kid literally die, then be revived before your eyes isn't something you're ready for on a Saturday afternoon. I don't understand how like 15 responsible adults can just be sitting around and yet no one saw this happen. No part of it makes sense.

The paramedics gave us this technical explanation of what actually happens to a baby when they drown, but I didn't get it. This cop came in and sat everyone down and said "Make no mistake, he DID drown. You're lucky you got to him when you did because even a minute later may have been too late." Then he made us all give statements about what we saw happen.

I was already in a weird frame of mind after reading about sudden tragic passing of Jen's mom. Then this happened. And it's all just a giant reminder of how fragile life really is. You're here one minute and you're gone the next and sometimes you can't do anything about it.

We're lucky because as far as we know, Mason's going to be okay. There may be some long-term effects of the lack of oxygen that we don't know about, but I think we got to him in enough time to save him from anything too terrible. Sixty seconds later, who knows? It's a terrifying thought.

Things like this just cement how I already feel about letting go of grudges and letting the people you care about know how much you love them. I tried to call my sister but she still won't answer my calls. Sucks.

25 comments:

big_mummy said...

just for this i will be watching a little closer next time theres any water, nevermind a pool. everyone tells me i am too nervous, but my boy is a livewire and need to go grab him for some mummy and 4 year old cuddle time.

hope he will be ok- poor guy.

Anonymous said...

I was at the pool yesterday with my 5-year-old and I felt so silly watching him like a hawk. He thinks he can swim, but he can't yet. After reading your blog, I don't feel so silly anymore.

Tantra Flower said...

Tricia, I can't even imagine the trauma you must have felt. I am so sorry. My family experienced several losses back to back a few years ago and it really brought us close together. Have you considered writing your sister a letter? Love ya, girl. xox

~ugly girl with a beautiful heart~ said...

So sorry you had to experience that Tricia!

It also sucks that other than my son and hubby, the people I care about don't answer their phones.

Shelley said...

That sounds like it was a horrifying experience - I am so glad to hear that Mason was revived and is doing well. The thing with drownings is that they're silent - the kid goes under and there's no splashing, nothing. My youngest fell into a hot tub while my older son was having a swim lesson at a private pool - I will never forget realizing that he was underwater - his eyes were wide open and he was just staring at me, panicked. Luckily I saw him in time and got him out, but I that will stay with me forever.

You all have been through a majorly traumatic experience, Tricia - be kind to yourself, as you deserve it.

Oh and I agree with Tantra Flower - writing a letter to your sister sounds like a great idea - this way you can say what you need to say without fear of being hung up on, and then at least you've put it out there. It would be up to her to accept it, but you would be done.

Hugs to you!

Diana said...

WOW! That sounds like a really scary situation that could have turned tragic. I was happy to read Mason is okay.

Don't give up on your sister. Keep trying.

Tara Stevens said...

God I got goose pimples reading that, what a lot to take in, thank goodness he's okay.

That must have been horrifying for you to witness, it's not something that's likely to leave you in a hurry, big hugs coming your way, take it easy.

Unknown said...

Life IS too short to hold grudges and to not talk or see the people who we love and care about. Sad that sometimes it takes an event like you had happen yesterday or a sad death of a fellow blogger mother to make us realize that. I thought about that yesterday too, and hands down LIFE IS JUST TOO SHORT!

Im sorry you had to witness that T. Not exactly something that leaves your memory. I do hope that you are able to talk to your sister soon. :)

S. said...

Oh wow. I have two little kids and I'm always trying to relax my overprotectiveness. Stories like this make me remember why I'm overprotective in the first place.

wildfluffysheep said...

Eeeep. Tricia that is horrible *hugs* wouldn't like to go through something like that. I really do hope he is ok. man, i cant even think about that happening to some one i know. shit.

i hate my sister sometimes. ok pretty much all the time but i think i would find it hard not to talk to her. i hope things work out with your sister.

arielcircleofnine said...

Big Hugs...that is horrible. Reading through it was emotional, I cannot imagine living it. Life is short and relationships with others are what make it meaningful; you are doing the right thing trying to reach your sis and its all you can do at the moment. Hang in there hon

Beth @ Kitchen Minions said...

Oh my gosh, that is so scary! I'm so glad everything turned out ok-ish in the end.

Brightcetera said...

Tricia, I just have to tell you ... you have one of the biggest, most precious of hearts. I was speaking of you with another blogger just yesterday and we both agreed and we both hope that you KNOW this. You have the gift of being a VERY funny woman but your biggest gift is your compassionate, empathetic heart.

This just happened next door to my neighbours a couple of weeks ago. It happened in literally a turn of heads. Thankfully the outcome wasn't tragic either.

F*cking scary stuff.
I hope Mason makes a full recovery. <3

@eloh said...

I haven't gotten into some really heartbreaking crap in my blog. But as an old"er" mother, I can tell you this....that boy went into that water for a reason. The people that witnessed this event, did it for a reason.

All things come around. Maybe 10 or 15 years from now, sitting enjoying the day with your grandchildren...something in the back of your mind will spark and disaster will be avoided / or a child will be lost and you will understand that it was no one fault.

Anne H said...

What happens in an instant can change everything for a lifetime...
I'm glad he's ok and you're ok.

Shhhhh said...

Tricia, I'm so sorry to hear that this happened. How scary for everyone! Having 6 kids myself and being super protective of each and every one, I know how things can happen very quickly. I'm so glad he's okay.

(((HUGS)))

LAF said...

What an emotional day!
I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

Julie said...

WOW. Life is so unpredictable. Happy to hear he's ok.

Unknown said...

OMG that is just horrible and scary. I hope Mason is okay.

Dana said...

That is a crazy story. So glad they got him back. That is how those things happen, when kids aren't supervised!

I weigh in at a program through my work. St John Weight Loss Institute. The program I joined has an hour with a nutritionist and an hour with a social worker. The nutritionist I met with once so far and meeting her again tomorrow. Clearly, I haven't learned much in 6 weeks!!!

Diane, Fit to the Finish said...

Oh my gosh! This happened to a friend of mine. It was a family party, and there were like 20 adults around. One of the little cousins fell in and drowned. They didn't get him back.

Your family is very blessed.

Carlos said...

dude that sucks...wtf this weekend!!!

bbubblyb said...

I'm so happy to hear Mason is ok. It's so terrifying when something like that happens. As for your sister, I think the letter idea is a good one then it will be up to her. Hope you're doing ok today.

Camevil said...

I couldn't bring myself to respond to this right away because it brought back a flood of memories and feelings. Five years ago, our friends lost their young son in a drowning at a city pool. He was only out of sight for a few minutes, but those few minutes under water were all it took. It hit everybody hard--not only the parents, but also the teenage lifeguards who tried so desperately to save him.

Mason was so absolutely, incredibly lucky.

I can't even imagine what it was like to witness a life gone and then given back. Just mind blowing. My brain and heart would be jelly.

Pam said...

Small children drowning surrounded by adults is a common occurrence. How can it happen? I don't know, but I do know that it does happen. All the time. I hate the mix of pools and children. My kids are never out of my sight if there's a pool anywhere near. Kids can't help it. Pools of sparkling water are irresistible to them. My brother almost drowned in a pool as a child and my sister saw a neighbor child drown at a pool party surrounded by adults also. I wish everyone in the world could read this and learn one more way to prevent untimely deaths of children. I'm so glad to hear that Mason has come out of this virtually unscathed. He is a lucky boy indeed.
I don't know what's going on with you and your sis since I'm so out of the blog loop, but girlfriend if she isn't talking to you, then there's not much you can do about it. You've made the effort, the rest is in her hands. You can't control how others choose to react with their emotions, but you can control how you do. Don't dwell on it too much. You've got too much going on in your own life. Congratulations on the weight loss girl!!!!! I'm so proud of you! Keep up the work and if you fall off the wagon every now and then, dust yourself off and hop back on. Keep the faith and keep moving forward! I am so glad to see you still kickin' butt!

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