Sometimes life delivers a nightmare so sudden and so real that even years of medical training can’t prepare you for it. That’s exactly what happened to an ER nurse when a 911 call came across the EMS radio at her workplace. The dispatcher’s words froze her in place: “Infantile seizure… not breathing.” Then came the address—it was her own home.
Without hesitation, she jumped in with the paramedics. Fear raced through her as she imagined the worst possible scenario: her baby boy fighting for his life, and she powerless to stop it.
When they arrived, the scene was every parent’s worst nightmare. The home cameras captured the heartbreaking moment—her husband running outside, cradling their 14-month-old son’s limp body while on the phone with 911. He wasn’t medical. He didn’t know if their little boy was breathing. And she, a trained ER nurse, was mentally preparing herself for the unthinkable: performing CPR on her own child.
But then—by the grace of God—her son took a breath. He was alive.
The cause? A febrile seizure, triggered by a sudden spike in fever. These seizures are more common than most parents realize, but nothing about them feels “common” when it’s your own child shaking, eyes rolling back, body unresponsive. One moment he had been acting normal, playful, and full of energy. The next, he was lifeless in his father’s arms.
Her husband’s quick action—immediately calling 911—may have saved their son. And for that, she says she thanks God every single day.
Now, at only 14 months old, their little boy faces a higher risk of recurrence whenever illness or fever strikes. To prepare, this strong mother has created a laminated guide in their home outlining exactly what to do if it happens again. His pediatrician has also prescribed rectal diazepam, a rescue medication, for seizures lasting longer than two minutes.
But while the medical precautions are in place, the emotional scars remain. “No matter how common febrile seizures are,” she said, “nothing can ever prepare you for watching your baby’s body go limp. It’s the most terrifying thing a parent can witness.”
Her story is a reminder that every second counts, and sometimes it’s the calm, quick thinking of a loved one—not just medical professionals—that makes all the difference. And while this family prays they never face such a terrifying ordeal again, they know they are stronger, more prepared, and more grateful than ever for every single day with their little boy.