Boy Who Drank Lighter Fluid Awake, Responding to Treatment
Posted on: Sunday, 4 May 2008, 03:00 CDT
By Shellie Branco, The Bakersfield Californian
May 4--A 1-year-old boy who drank lighter fluid at a family barbecue on April 27 remained in critical condition Saturday evening, but was awake and responding to treatment.
Aniken Roquemore drank the fluid after relatives stepped away for a moment at his home on Lynett Way near Stockdale Highway. The 20-month-old is suffering from chemical-induced pneumonia and is being treated at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera.
The family will continue a lemonade sale at their home, 13205 Lynett Way, on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. to raise money for Aniken's medical treatment. A second lemonade sale will take place Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds Swap Meet on Ming Avenue from 7 a.m. to close. More fundraisers are planned for the coming weeks.
Aniken's father, state Cal Fire firefighter Jermaine Roquemore Sr., said the boy's breathing improved when doctors pulled his chest tube on Thursday, releasing fluid from his lungs.
He was taken off the ventilator completely by noon Friday and was breathing on his own. He woke up two to three hours afterward.
Doctors will monitor him, but he is in recovery and eating a bit, Roquemore said. If he doesn't start playing or eating well and acting normal in the next few days, he'll remain in the hospital. Otherwise, he'll be released by the middle of next week. He will have long-term breathing problems, Roquemore said.
Roquemore added his son is depressed.
"He's just laying in bed watching cartoons and that's not something he does as a 20-month-old," he said. "He's trying to talk but he makes noises."
He's grateful for the community support, but wonders why his fellow Cal Fire firefighters haven't called to offer their emotional support. The Fresno Fire Department has been supportive, offering food and other living necessities as the family remains by the boy's side, he said.
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Source: The Bakersfield Californian
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