Thursday was a pretty normal day. At work it was a relatively bad day in general, as it had been for about 3 weeks now. Not the job itself, but the woman who is in charge of the clinic has been a witch. That is besides the point. I came home to wonderful company. Zeta and M were stopping by on their way to a destination up north. ( It was really great to see you) Richard was at church all day working and decided to stay there for his football practice, rather that drive home the 25 miles it is only to have to drive back in an hour or so. Gas is to precious these day to just be wastin' it. So after a visit with the family, the boys and I decided that we would go home to eat dinner. It was more my decision, not theirs. THey had homework and it was already about 6:20 or so, which only left about an hour and a half before their bed time. We made the short journey home through the wire and wooden gate that seperates us from gran-ma. On the way in, I told the boys that the chickens still had to be fed, so while I was getting the chicken food, they were out and about. Nathan walks into the shed where I am and shows me this little "blue" berry. I asked him where he got it and he pointed to some weeds by the porch. I told him that it wasn't a blueberry and that he needed to put it down. He did and then continued on about his playing outside. When I was finished with the chickens I called the boys to come inside. As we walked past the weeds, he made the remark about how bad these berries tasted. I asked him what berries and he pointed to the same group of weeds. I asked him how many he ate and he said "one". I scolded him for not listening and explained that I did not know what they were and that they could be poisonous!He apologized and we went inside still being scolded for disobeying. I called mom to ask if she knew what they were as I began the task of making dinner. Her comment to me was " I don't know, but I never see the birds eatting them." Come to think of it I hadn't either. We hung up and I served the food and went online to find out what he got into. It took about an hour to locate it but this is what it was.......
Nightshade, Deadly
POISON!
Caution: This plant is Poisonous.
Further description & Comment: Bushy growth, 2 - 4 feet tall. Some plants in damp, sheltered spots will bloom as early as January.
The forked feature is easiest seen later in the year when the berries develop on the distinctly forked pedicles.
So knowing this, I gathered the boys and got them into the car. On the way out, I printed the information I had found and took a sample of the plant and berries. Off to the hospital we went. I called mom to tell her what was going on, and she said that poison control told her that most berries in Florida are non-toxic, but without seeing the plant they couldn't tell her what it was. I then called Richard to tell him what was going on and he cancelled practice and met us there. We got to the hospital first and upon checking him in the coy woman at the admissions desk asked me , boredly, if he ate some china-berries. I told her I didn't know what china berries were, but that was NOT the case, and I had a sample of nightshade if she would like to be educated. Her whole tone changed at that point. SHe immediately put his registration form through and we sat down for what seemed an eternity, but was only about 5 minutes or so. Richard must have flown across town because he was there before the nurse called Nathan back. I went in armed with my bag of samples and pictures off the internet. THe woman weighed him, took his temp, and blood pressure and asked me why I thought it was nightshade. I handed her the bag and she layed it out and began to look at what was before her. He eyes grew wide and she , very quickly called poison control. While dialing, she asked if I had called them. I told her my mom had and what they said. She confirmed to poison control that it was nighshade and wanted to know the treatment for it. The asked about Nathan's age, weight, how many were ingested. She told them what they were asking. By this time, Nathan was itching all over and asking if he was going to die. I told him no, he would be okay. This was a popular question on the care ride to the hospital. Matthew saying that he didn't want his brother to die, and Nathan asking if he was going to. The nurse hung up and said that based on his weight and age and the fact that he only ate one, he would be fine. The itching was a side effect from the plant and that poison control said he should take some benedryl to counter act it. So feeling incredibly blessed and thanking God for answering my diligent and continuing prayer, we were allowed to go home. I gave Richard the great news and called mom to let her know what was going on as well. When we got home RIchard wanted to see the plants. I showed him and he said, we are getting rid of them Saturday! So that is what we are doing today. Just wanted all of you to be aware of what is out there. Especially Susan who has a young child. The nurse told me that if Nathan would have been smaller, eatting one could be serious, even fatal. SO look closely at the picture, google nightshade. It has small tiny white flowers that hang down. Berries that are green or dark purpleish-blue(when ripe). They grow wild. Just becareful. Even nine year olds eat things that look good. Don't think they won't.
Nathan never had reflux, it is Matthew who did and still does.
Posted by: Sarah | May 05, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Zeta and M's visits seem to come around the time of NT's medical crisis. Last time they were here, we went to Oleno and he was just a little guy in a stroller. He was standing there, feeding the fisheys when suddenly he leaned over and THREW UP. Later he was diagnosed with Reflux.
This time he dined on Nightshade!
Still, it's good to have family around during a medical emergency. Now we know why the birds don't eat that particular berry.
Posted by: ol Doc | May 03, 2008 at 02:55 PM
This is a wonderful heads-up for all parents. Thank you for sharing your experience and thank the Lord the little guy is okay.
That must have been some ride to the ER!
Posted by: Ranger | May 03, 2008 at 01:27 PM