Until now.
A week ago if I had to guess which kid would break an arm first Cole would have been the last on my list. He is quiet and careful, and not a dare-devil. AT ALL.
Sunday morning this was Cole's arm.
Right above the elbow. He fell off the top bunk of the bunk bed. He does not sleep there (someone at the hospital asked me that) he was just playing up there.
We rushed out the door with him to go to the ER at the new Riverton hospital that is right down the street. We told Miquelle to call the primary president and let her know that we might not be there for church. (I'm in the primary presidency and Trevor is the music leader.) I really thought that his elbow was just out of socket and they would just need to *pop* it back in. Turns out the reason that his elbow was a couple of inches from where it should be was because his humerus was fractured right above his elbow. They said we needed to go up to Primary Children's and have it looked at by an orthopedic surgeon.
I called Miquelle and told her to please call the primary president again and tell her we weren't going to make it. I found out today that she did not get either message until after church.
A word (or a few) about the people that work at Primary Children's. I have heard sensational stories about the people that work there. I *knew* that they were amazing but I didn't really KNOW.
Until now.
Every person that we interacted with at Primary Children's was amazing. He surgeon and other doctors, the nurses and techs. They all made us feel comfortable (as much as possible) and were so SO good with Cole. He did not want to be touched at all! They were so sweet and careful and gentle with him. I cannot praise them enough.
Handing my sleeping (drugged) child over to a surgeon and watching her carry him into the OR ranks way up there on the list of hard things I have had to do as a parent. They were anxious to get him into surgery quickly because they had not been able to find a pulse on that hand. Two and a half hours and three pins and numerous stitches later he was out of surgery.
This was Cole's arm sunday night.
Enjoying his post surgery popsicle.
They wanted to keep him overnight so they could doppler his pulse every hour and have him wiggle his fingers every hour. Every. hour. all. night. long.
The first couple of days home were rough. He was in a lot of pain but hated the taste of the oxycodone that they gave him. I had to bribe him with cookies to even take it. C'mon kid, don't you know people knock off pharmacies everyday to get this stuff?? Yesterday and today have been so much better. He has only needed Motrin and has been moving around and playing so much more. He is such a trooper.
He will be in a splint and sling until next tuesday and then in a cast for three weeks after that.
Before I go....
A word (or a few) about parent's who spend countless hours at Primary Children's or take care of sick children on a daily basis.
They are the strongest people in the world.
10 comments:
That place is one of the closest places to Heaven I've experienced. Glad he is doing better. That X-ray is crazy!! I've said it before, but I am so glad we live during the time of modern medicine.
When Noelle broke her arm, she actually cracked her elbow. The Doctor was telling me how urgent a broken elbow can be, and how children with it broken in the right spot have to immediately go into surgery. I was so grateful that Noelle's wasn't in the 'right' spot. Rachel is right - that X-Ray of Cole's is crazy. He must have been in so much pain. I'm glad he's starting to feel better. What a scary thing to have to go through...for all of you.
oh ouch! We had to go to Primary's for my oldest son's break last spring. We are lucky to have such a great facility so close. Hope the little guy feels better. It's amazing how quickly little ones can heal.
Poor Cole! It always seems like injuries are almost tougher on the parents than on the kids. I remember when I broke my arm, the doctor had to have my mom leave the room when he snapped it back into place. He said the kids handle it fine, but most moms freak out. I think maybe it stems from the guilt of not being there to prevent the injury in the first place. Kalianna has a black eye and just looking at her today makes me feel awful!
I was excited to see a post from you, but I am so sorry it is about poor Cole-man. That x-ray pic immediately made me say, 'Oh, sick...' That is the worst break I have ever seen. I had a bad break in my elbow when I was 9 and have to have surgery, pins, and missed about 3 months of school. That poor kid...weird to see the xray with pins and stuff. I agree, we have only had the best experiences up at Primary's. So glad he's feeling better...sorry you had to go thru this. What a bummer. And for it to be Cole? Mine would be Anna for sure...and now watch. It will be Tate.
Isn't that place amazing?! I completely agree with everything you have to say about Primary Children's. We have had 2 experiences there. It is so nice to have it so close.
Best of luck to Cole. I can't imagine that kind of pain...
Ditto all the comments re: Primarys. I have a special place in my heart for all their help with Brighton. They took as good of care of Reese and I as well - very helpful when parents are placed in such a scary stressful situation. Glad he's feeling better. I was with you thinking Cole would NOT have been the first of your kids with a broken bone :(
I can hear the story over and over and I still think its so sad :( Those pins look yucky! Ahhhhh!
Holy cow, Bon. The text picture was bad enough but seeing it bigger, oh my. Poor little guy. Keep me posted! Love you-
That hospital is so fabuluous that they fly kids in there from neighboring states. My sister's baby ended up there after a mystery nodule appeared under his tongue and threatened his breathing. They Life flighted him there from Idaho. As soon as I heard that he was at Primary children's hospital, I knew he was in the best possible hands. And whatdayaknow.... there was a doctor there that SPECIALIZED in this exact condition. Glad his arm is okay, but holy cow, those are some serious pins!
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