Just the other day I was thinking, "I haven't written much on our blog lately . . . Oh well, I guess there just really isn't much to report. I'll wait until I get back from visiting my parents in Utah for my birthday to share how the trip went."
Well, unfortunately, no birthday trip to Utah for me or the kids. But, I suppose I have news to share--bad news, but news nonetheless.
On Monday morning, I was rushing around getting the kids ready for school. It was picture day, so I wanted to make sure the girls had the help with their hair that they wanted and that every body's outfits were decent enough for pictures.
At about 7:30 a.m., with about 1/2 hour to go before I had to get the kids to school, I was downstairs making lunches when I heard a loud thump. Ricky and the girls were supposed to be upstairs showering and getting dressed for school. I knew Ricky and Andrew were messing around in Ricky's room instead of getting ready for the day. I planned to rush right up there after I made the lunches to "crack the whip."
Too bad I didn't pay much attention to that ominous thump because soon after that first thump, I heard a second thump followed by Andrew's frantic crying and I knew something must have happened.
I rushed upstairs to find Ricky holding Andrew on his lap. Andrew was crying and Ricky was telling him, "Be quiet. You are OK." Ricky told me, "He fell off the bed."
"Oh dear," I said. "I'll take care of him. Get ready for school. You are still in your pajamas and it's picture day!."
Well, Andrew was inconsolable and would not stand on his feet or move his right leg at all. He was obviously in a lot of pain. I gently carried him to my bed while I helped the kids get ready and made a phone call to the Dr. I knew Andrew needed some immediate attention, but wanted to avoid the ER if possible. Luckily, they were able to get him an early morning appointment, so I rushed the kids to school and took Andrew right to the Dr.
That was the beginning of our 30 hour visit to the University of Iowa Hospital. Andrew had broken his right femur. He was admitted to Inpatient Pediatrics while we awaited his turn in the OR to have his leg set and a spica cast applied.
A spica cast is monstrous and unwieldy. Look it up on the internet. The thing is huge, and with it on, Andrew is nearly triple his original weight.
Here are some pictures from the hospital after he got out of surgery.
Playing toys the next morning . . . He was really annoyed with the "mitten" they put on his hand for the IV. How are you supposed to keep yourself entertained when you can't sit up, can't move your legs, and can't use both hands? It was a long day!
Andrew's favorite part of the day was when they put the fiberglass on his cast. A couple of people came in from Child Life Services and played with him while they rolled him back and forth to wrap his cast.
I shouldn't really call that the favorite part of his day because the process started well, but after a while became tedious and painful and he was so worn out by the end, he couldn't really hold the toys anymore. He would just pitifully say, "Ow."
While I was at the hospital, Rick made sure to to get the older kids home from school, help with homework, run to piano lessons, make arrangements for the kids in the morning before school, etc. During this time, he was able to get the full story from Ricky about what had really happened. It turns out, Andrew didn't just fall from the bed (of course) . . . he jumped. The first thump was Ricky jumping from the top bunk. The second thump I heard was Andrew attempting (but failing) to be like his older brother. Sheesh!
Well, unfortunately, no birthday trip to Utah for me or the kids. But, I suppose I have news to share--bad news, but news nonetheless.
On Monday morning, I was rushing around getting the kids ready for school. It was picture day, so I wanted to make sure the girls had the help with their hair that they wanted and that every body's outfits were decent enough for pictures.
At about 7:30 a.m., with about 1/2 hour to go before I had to get the kids to school, I was downstairs making lunches when I heard a loud thump. Ricky and the girls were supposed to be upstairs showering and getting dressed for school. I knew Ricky and Andrew were messing around in Ricky's room instead of getting ready for the day. I planned to rush right up there after I made the lunches to "crack the whip."
Too bad I didn't pay much attention to that ominous thump because soon after that first thump, I heard a second thump followed by Andrew's frantic crying and I knew something must have happened.
I rushed upstairs to find Ricky holding Andrew on his lap. Andrew was crying and Ricky was telling him, "Be quiet. You are OK." Ricky told me, "He fell off the bed."
"Oh dear," I said. "I'll take care of him. Get ready for school. You are still in your pajamas and it's picture day!."
Well, Andrew was inconsolable and would not stand on his feet or move his right leg at all. He was obviously in a lot of pain. I gently carried him to my bed while I helped the kids get ready and made a phone call to the Dr. I knew Andrew needed some immediate attention, but wanted to avoid the ER if possible. Luckily, they were able to get him an early morning appointment, so I rushed the kids to school and took Andrew right to the Dr.
That was the beginning of our 30 hour visit to the University of Iowa Hospital. Andrew had broken his right femur. He was admitted to Inpatient Pediatrics while we awaited his turn in the OR to have his leg set and a spica cast applied.
A spica cast is monstrous and unwieldy. Look it up on the internet. The thing is huge, and with it on, Andrew is nearly triple his original weight.
Here are some pictures from the hospital after he got out of surgery.
Playing toys the next morning . . . He was really annoyed with the "mitten" they put on his hand for the IV. How are you supposed to keep yourself entertained when you can't sit up, can't move your legs, and can't use both hands? It was a long day!
Andrew's favorite part of the day was when they put the fiberglass on his cast. A couple of people came in from Child Life Services and played with him while they rolled him back and forth to wrap his cast.
I shouldn't really call that the favorite part of his day because the process started well, but after a while became tedious and painful and he was so worn out by the end, he couldn't really hold the toys anymore. He would just pitifully say, "Ow."After that, he took a nap and then he was ready to order lunch.
He is home now and we are doing all we can to take good care of him. It has been a long, exhausting last two days and we still have 4-6 more weeks to go. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll try to report how we take care of this cast on this sweet little kid. Let me tell you now, it is tough, but we are already learning a few tricks.
He is home now and we are doing all we can to take good care of him. It has been a long, exhausting last two days and we still have 4-6 more weeks to go. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll try to report how we take care of this cast on this sweet little kid. Let me tell you now, it is tough, but we are already learning a few tricks.
While I was at the hospital, Rick made sure to to get the older kids home from school, help with homework, run to piano lessons, make arrangements for the kids in the morning before school, etc. During this time, he was able to get the full story from Ricky about what had really happened. It turns out, Andrew didn't just fall from the bed (of course) . . . he jumped. The first thump was Ricky jumping from the top bunk. The second thump I heard was Andrew attempting (but failing) to be like his older brother. Sheesh!
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