Boyblogging
Getting the boy dressed for school this morning, he wobbled walking across the dog’s bed and twisted his knee. Down he went. Got back up and went right back down.
Suddenly: worried, fawning parents.
Sick is one thing, an injury is quite another. Everybody gets sick. You take medicine and get better. But an injury? The child got damaged? And on my watch? I broke the baby!
Talked to the triage nurse on the phone, who seemed more concerned about our co-pay rather than my broken child. “Look,” I said, fed up, “My two year old who can’t walk is my primary concern, OK? Let’s schedule whatever is fastest.” Message delivered.
At noon my son got his first x-ray, which he found endlessly entertaining and fascinating — even when mommy had to hold him in a weird position for the lateral image. He smiled and waved at everyone and never complained, even when the doctor was prodding his hurt knee.
“Just a mild sprain or twist,” was the verdict. “He’ll be fine in a few days.” The doc also told us that toddlers are smart. If something hurts, they won’t use it, “unlike adults or teenagers who come in after walking on a sprained ankle for a week.”
“That’s because we’re stupid,” I offered. “Speaking for myself, anyway.”
So the boy had a nutritious dinner of Halloween chocolate and cold milk and reminded us of what we’re thankful for this year.
“The doc also told us that toddlers are smart. If something hurts, they won’t use it”…can we nominate him for Chairman of Citigroup? He has certainly more sense! Cheers and have a great holiday!
There must be something in the air. We’re in Vancouver, WA for the holidays, and we’ve been to the emergency room three times in 2 days. My oldest son has an infected finger that finally got bad enough to worry us. Then, while my wife and he were there, my nephew kicked the wall while running around with the twins and broke two of his toes. The next night, my wife slipped and fell and hurt her (newly reconstructed) right hip and right shoulder. She went the following morning, because she couldn’t raise her arm more than 30 degrees without causing significant pain.
Everyone’s basically doing alright, but it’s been a trip-and-a-half. We’ve been half-joking that my dad’s ghost is still haunting the house, and his klutziness is infecting us.
Happy Turkey Day!
There might be more than one reason our cartilage doesn’t harden much until our teen years.
Good on you for playing the part of the over-reacting, hyper-concerned parent.
Who’d a thunk it a few years back?
Yeah, jay, but wait till he gets the bill for that x-ray!
Seriously, I’m glad the little feller is ok.
On the bright side you get to say “Hi-knee” a lot for a spell!
Sounds like Nukemhill had a rough spot as well, ouch. I wish the wee Vodkapundit and parental units as well as Nukem et. al. well and am hoisting a Victory Brewing Hopdevil with warm thoughts to all concerned, Happy Thanksgiving!!
Matt
Oldest son, 10: nothing.
Middle son, 6: two concussions, three episodes of seizures, nearly choked to death on a nickel, and he broke his radius and ulna dismounting from the backyard swing set. Nothing looks cooler than an extra elbow, as long as it isn’t your son.
Youngest son, 4: nothing.
jon, my advice: don’t have a fourth son.
Fixed!
October went like this: 10-year old daughter tried to ride the unbroken pony bareback. Result: Emergency room visit for x-rays (had a bruised tailbone). Next week, husband went to doctor for throat irritation, ended up at sleep clinic for sleep apnea. Next week, daughter goes to doctor for upper respitory infection. The following week, husband is refered to ENT for acid reflux, resulting in a new drug on our shelf. Finally, at the end of October, daughter falls off horse (early Christmas present since pony is now too small), resulting in another ER visit to check ribs (negative) but a nasty deep bruise with a scrape covering it.
Me, fine. I just smile and pay the bills.
Just wait until he decides to play sports…