Breathless

It’s the surprise phone call that takes your breath away. The only words you hear, “Camille has choked on something…” echo inside your head. It’s the only thing you think about as you rush to leave work and head out the door in a panic.

I didn’t even realize who had called me at first; it was so close to the end of the school day, she could have been either at school or afterschool (they’re in close proximity). But as I raced toward both, I prayed I wouldn’t be far away wherever she was. As I got closer, I realized it was Camille’s teacher who had called me, so I went to her school.

I rushed to her kindergarten room first, but no one was there. I raced back outside and then back through the school toward the office.

There she was. Crying, but safe. And her sister, Abby, was there comforting her.

The teacher’s assistant gave me the details:

They were playing Bingo.

At some point, Camille put one of the glass beads used to mark off the Bingo numbers in her mouth.

She accidently swallowed it. And it lodged in her throat.

She ran to the assistant unable to breath and totally panicked.

The assistant smacked her on the back, but the bead didn’t dislodge.

Then she performed the Heimlich Maneuver.

In the process, Camille swallowed the bead.

But the assistant saved our baby’s life.

Camille was obviously upset and asked the folks in the office to call her sister to comfort her.

She’s fine now, although she periodically complains about her tummy hurting, that is only until I offer her a goodie to eat and then she’s fine.

We’ve talked about how to thank the assistant, there are no words that could express our gratitude, but we don’t quite know what to do.

What would you suggest?