Post Stitches

Chase wanted to show off his medal and stickers he received for being such a good patient.

Chase's 1st Stitches

We were just getting done with Chase practicing on his dirt bike. Eric was standing on one side of the yard and I was on the other end. Chase caught on really quickly. He was doing a super job getting going and then letting of the gas and braking. He then started to try doing a turn. He almost made the circle, but he didn’t give it enough gas. So then we told him to make one more run and we could go in and make dinner. I had the video camera taping him and was following his progress. As he is getting closer to where he needs to stop, he wasn’t stopping. I yelled out for him to hit his brakes, but it was too late. He ran into the neighbor’s tree.

I went running and got him on his back. Blood was all over his face, so it was hard to tell where it was coming from. A branch had punctured his forward right about his right eye brow. I had my hand over his wound trying to limit the bleeding. Eric was running towards me and I told him we needed to get to the ER. He scooped up Chase and I got Anthony and we ran to the car. I had to run inside to get shoes, snacks and diaper bag. The boys hadn’t had dinner yet. It was 5:45pm.

We went to Mercy’s ER, since they have a pediatric ER. The whole way to the hospital Chase is asking to go home. He didn’t want to go, and he didn’t want stitches. So we said, you don’t have to have them, we just want you checked out. He was doing good, until they called his name. Then he started crying again. Mercy got us into a room within 20 minutes, which was great, because they were packed.

An admitting person came in to gather info and then the nurse came in to talk to Chase. He wanted to know what happened. They showed him pictures of a face and wanted to know which one described him. Then they ask the question, “Do you feel safe at home?” Chase immediately said yes, which was a relief. He did just get hurt and he was blaming me for the accident. He said I should have stopped him. If I had not been taping, I might have had a chance.

The doctor came in and examined him. She said the cut was too deep. They would have to stitch it, rather than glue it. It is great how they can do things now. The have this clear, odorless and painless solution to use to numb the wound. The nurse put it on a cotton ball and then bandages it on him. He had to keep it on for 45 minutes. During that time they took him to get an x-ray of his nose. They thought he may have broken it. The Child Life Specialist comes in and shows Chase how x-rays work and what to expect, so he would be scared. When it was time to stitch him up, they showed him the string and needle and how it would work.

The nurse asked if I wanted them to give Chase an anesthetic to help with the surgery. I asked what it is and how it worked. They spray it up his nose. After 15 minutes it kicks in. It made Chase loopy and drunk like. He was a lot of fun to talk to once it took affect. He was slurring his words and making up stories.

When it was time for the stitches the doctor, nurse, patient care tech and child life specialist came in. The had Chase lay back and the specialist started reading to him. Chase closed his eyes, but he was awake. They kept asking him questions. They wanted to know if he had pets. He said, “No, but I would like to have a T-Rex. Then I could ride him around.” He kept making us all laugh the whole time he was getting sewn up.

The doctor ended up putting in 6 internal stitches and 6 external stitches. When she was done she had Chase sit up. He didn’t even know he had the stitches. He said, “That didn’t hurt at all. I could do that again.” I told him,” Let’s put that off for awhile.” Eric says, “You better get use to this. We have boys.”

Before we left, they gave Chase a medal, a lot of stickers and some little trinkets. They told him he was the funniest patient they had all day. He was in good spirits and ready to head home. It was a three hour stay and Anthony did a great job hanging out with us. We get his stitches out on Thursday afternoon.

The Law of Gravity

Last Monday I was leaving work. I was deep in thought and stepped over the curb. Between my 2 inch sandals and the curb I rolled my ankle and ended up on the pavement. This time it was my left ankle, which has always been my good one. It hurt really bad and was swollen within minutes. Monday night I had to crawl around the house. I knew it wasn’t looking good.

Tuesday I talked to my manager. I was going to go to my doctor. She told me to call Employee Health, since I injured it while on campus. So I called them and they asked me to come in. Employee Health said they were going to treat it as workman’s comp and they put me in a wheelchair and rolled me over to the campus clinic.

The doctor did some tests and then decided I should have an x-ray. He thought it might be broken. He came in with good news. I didn’t need a cast, just a brace. He gave me Naproxin and Hydrocodone for pain, which has helped a lot. He also told me what brace I needed to get at Home Medical Supply. Employee Health came picked me up. They wheeled me up to pharmacy and I got my prescriptions. They then wheeled me out to my car. I received wonderful service and I didn’t have to pay for any of it! I elevated and iced my ankle the rest of Tuesday. Wednesday I woke up and could hobble on it a lot better. I decided I could make it to work. Each day it kept getting better. Saturday I felt well enough to take the boys to the zoo!

Sunday was going well, until we had a mishap at home and I started running, without thinking. The pain came right back. The good thing is this morning when I woke up, I had very little pain again. So I am on the mend.

Chase Learning to Ride

Eric bought Chase a motor bike over a year ago. He has been anxiously waiting for the day when Chase will be able to ride it. Once Chase mastered his bike, he knew the time was near. Chase has been on it twice. Both times were very short, but Chase did stay up.

Sunday night Eric asked Chase if he wanted to practice in the back yard. He went and got his helmet and headed to the back. Here is a picture of Chase on his bike.

Questions

We were on the way to church yesterday, and Chase and I were talking. He says to me, "I know God made the earth, the animals and humans." I said, "Yes you are correct." A minute later he says, "Mom, who created God?" I was really taken aback my his question. He is only 5 years old, what is he doing asking such questions? I told Chase that is a tough question that has been asked through the ages. I told him that God has always existed. I told him that when we get to church he can ask the Pastor.

I was in the nursery getting some things together. Chase and Anthony were playing and Pastor Doug happened to stop in. I turned to Chase and told him this was his chance to ask the Pastor his question. Chase got all shy and didn't speak. Doug went over by him, and asked him what his question was. Chase spoke up and asked, "Who created God?" Doug looked at me and then back at Chase. He said, "God has always been in existence. It is a hard concept to grasp, but you have to take it on faith." Chase said, "Okay."

Doug started his sermon and used Chase at the beginning of it. He said the age old question was asked of me today by Chase who is five. He wanted to know, "Who created God." Then he looked over at me and said, "Rachel your son is already a scholar. You better watch out, he is going to do great things." I felt such a great sense of pride.

Hanging It Out

Saturday afternoon we went to the wadding pool. When we got done, we went to the van so I could change the boys. Anthony tells me he has to pee. So I set him on the ground facing the van. I stand behind him and he takes care of business. Chase says he has to go. I ask him to use the Propel bottle between the seats.

I look up, and he is completely naked standing in the door peeing. It caught me off guard and I shouted, "Chase you can't do that. There is a car driving towards us." Looking back at it, I find it quite funny, but at the time I was shocked. I guess we need to stop letting him go outside when we camp.