I never imagined that one small oversight could lead to the most terrifying day of our lives. As parents, we do everything to keep our children safe, but on this day, a simple mistake became our worst nightmare. This is my story—our story—of how a holiday celebration turned into a race against time to save our little girl, Gia.
It Started as a Perfect Getaway
We were staying in a holiday home to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday. Surrounded by family, laughter, and the excitement of being somewhere new, I was out of my normal routine. I didn’t think twice when I left my handbag on the floor of the bedroom I was sharing with my two daughters. I’d done it a hundred times before. What could go wrong?
The next morning, Gia wandered out around 9 am, rubbing her eyes and mumbling that she was tired and wanted to go back to bed. It wasn’t like her to be so sleepy, but they had woken up at 5:30 am, so I figured she was just exhausted. I walked her back to the bedroom, and that’s when I saw it—my handbag, its contents strewn across the floor, and the open packet of Travel Sickness medication lying among the mess.
My heart sank. I remembered the packet was nearly full. I’d only taken 2-4 tablets myself, but now only a couple were left. That meant 6-8 tablets were missing. I looked at Gia, her little body already showing signs of drowsiness, and my chest tightened with panic. My mind raced as I realised the danger.
I immediately called the Poisons Information Centre. I was shaking as I explained what had happened, barely able to keep my voice steady. They told me to get Gia to the hospital immediately. I grabbed her, held her tight, and we rushed to Margaret River Hospital.
The Hospital Fight
When we arrived, the doctors were calm but focused. They tried giving Gia activated charcoal to absorb the toxins, but she refused it. She was only 12kg, so the doctors were meticulous with every dosage, staying in constant contact with the Poisons Information Centre to make sure they were giving her the correct treatment.
I felt so helpless, just sitting there, watching my little girl drift in and out of sleep. But the worst was yet to come.
About an hour or two after arriving at the hospital, Gia started having hallucinations. At first, it was subtle—a distant look in her eyes. But then she started to cry out, her eyes wide with fear, reaching out to things that weren’t there. It was like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.
My heart shattered. I couldn’t do anything to help her. The doctors sedated her, but the relief was always short-lived. The hallucinations would return every few minutes, more vivid and terrifying each time. I held her close, whispering to her, trying to reassure her, but she was somewhere I couldn’t reach.
The medical team did everything they could, but as the hours dragged on and the hallucinations continued, they told us they needed to transfer Gia by ambulance to Bunbury Hospital. They needed more specialised equipment and medication to help her.
The Longest Night of Our Lives
When we arrived at Bunbury Hospital, the doctors explained that due to Gia’s small size and the amount she ingested, the hallucinations could last up to 24 hours. I felt like I was suffocating. How could she endure this for another minute, let alone a whole day?
They considered changing her medication but needed to wait for it to be sent from another hospital. I sat there, holding her limp body, her little face contorted with fear every time another hallucination hit. It was agony to watch, knowing there was nothing I could do to pull her out of this nightmare.
“This was by far the worst 24 hours of our lives.” I’ve never felt so powerless.
And then, just when I thought I couldn’t bear another minute, Gia began to say familiar words. Simple words like “Mummy” and “Daddy.” I can’t describe the relief. It was the first sign that she was coming back to us.
The hallucinations started to space out, from every few minutes to 45 minutes to an hour apart. Finally, after 11 gruelling hours, they stopped. I felt like I could breathe again.
The doctors moved us to the paediatric ward, and by the next morning, Gia was back to her bright, beautiful self, with no memory of the ordeal. It was over. We were lucky.
Grateful, Humbled, and Wiser
I will never forget the faces of the doctors, nurses, and paramedics who fought alongside us that night. Their compassion and expertise got us through the darkest hours of our lives. I will always be grateful for everything they did to save Gia.
But more than that, I will never forget how easily this could have been prevented. I replay that moment in my mind over and over—leaving my handbag on the floor, not realising how quickly little hands can find danger.
I’m sharing our story because if it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone. Please, keep medications completely out of reach. Use a lockable medication bag if you keep anything in your handbag. It takes just a second for curiosity to turn into catastrophe.
A Plea to Other Parents
I never thought this would happen to us. I was always so careful. But that one moment of forgetfulness turned our world upside down. We were lucky. Gia was lucky.
Please don’t take the same chance. Double-check, triple-check where your medications are stored. It’s not worth the risk.
Let Gia’s story be a reminder of the importance of poison safety. A few extra precautions today could prevent a heartbreaking emergency tomorrow.
The Importance of Poison Safety
This experience has changed me forever. I can’t undo what happened, but I can share our story to help others.
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Keep all medications out of reach and sight of children.
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Consider using lockable medication bags or containers.
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Familiarise yourself with emergency numbers, such as the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia).
We can’t protect our children from everything, but by staying vigilant and informed, we can do our best to keep them safe.
Our Message to You
From our family to yours—please learn from our experience. It’s a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Hold your little ones close, double-check where you store your medications, and don’t let your guard down, even for a moment.
We were lucky. But we could have lost her.
In loving gratitude to the medical teams and in the hope that our story helps protect another child.
With love,
Gia's mama
