Mom of the Year (NOT!!!)

Well we survived our first trip to the ER this week with Luke. After a wonderful walk/jog with Holly and our kids, we stopped to play at the "new" part of Lions Park. The kids were having a blast and we were starting to consider lunch (Chic fil A of course). Tyler and Luke decided they wanted to ride their bikes around the playground area- not big deal. Well this playground is an "all access" playground so there are ramps for wheelchairs. Another friend I hadn't seen in a long time showed up at the park so I was talking to her when I heard Luke crying. When I turned around he was on the ground with his bike at the bottom of a slide (thankfully a very small, toddler slide)... insert my heart sinking.

Luke is SO tough and I knew IMMEDIATELY that this was more than a "bad crash" as he likes to say. Luke loves to crash his bike and is always proud (and never cries) when this happens. He just kept saying "ouchy" and asking for Robb. I told Avery we had to go take Luke to the doctor. Of course she did not want to go and was asking what he was thinking do that (my girly girl, rule follower, practical one still doesn't get it). I was proud that she didn't push me too much and came along (although she continued to ask a lot of questions- but that is just Avery!).

Holly helped us get all our stuff to the truck and was so sweet to offer to keep Avery with her while I took care of Luke. Avery was thrilled and had the best day with Holly and Tyler. Holly took them to Chic fil A and then another park! Super woman I tell you!!! She kept Avery until late that afternoon when we met them at music class. What a blessing! Avery is ready to spend another day with them :)

I called Robb and then I called another great friend for advice on which hospital to take Luke to. She is a physician in the Emergency Department so she was priceless to have on our side. After she did some research she told me, "I'll meet you at KDH". She was so right on her pick! We lucked out (think all the prayers that had started for Luke and Mom were helping). As I was in the beginning stages of registering Luke, they called us back. Jodi showed up and then Robb (so excited to see them both!). Jodi took a quick look at Luke and was reassuring. I was so blessed to have her help care for Luke. She and the doctor actually working had the same idea of what was wrong so we waited for x-rays. Robb finished the registration for Luke and then came back into the room. Luke was so happy to have his Daddy there! Me too :) Luke had stopped crying by this point and we had figured out how to hold his arm to keep him comfortable. He was so brave and hardly fussed.

We only had to wait 15 minutes for the Tech to show up to take Luke for X-rays. I asked Robb if he would go with Luke for the x-rays. I knew Robb would handle it better than I would, and Luke would probably not fuss as much for him. Robb said it was a good thing that he went because I would have been a wreck (like I wasn't already). Robb said Luke cried because he was in pain when they were doing the x-rays- they had to move his arm around to the correct positions to get a good shot. As soon as they could put his arm back in a comfortable position, he was fine. I could tell he had been crying when he came back to the room, but he didn't fuss when he saw me (so brave).

The x-rays came back and they were good news (if there is good news in this situation). Jodi had mentioned if it was one situation Luke would need surgery to get it set and fixed. She and the other doctor both agreed that the break in his humerus (bone from shoulder to elbow) was not displaced, so they called Orthopedics for a consult. I was told we'd get a call for a follow up with Ortho for the next day. But as we were waiting for all the supplies to get Luke's arm splinted, Ortho called! They said Luke could be seen that day at 2pm (about 1.5 hours later). Yea, God! All the while Holly was checking on us, updating us on Avery and keeping tabs on Luke. I checked with Holly and she was willing to keep Avery - so thankful! Luke got a great splint from Jodi and we were discharged.

We had an hour until the Ortho appointment, so I headed to get his pain meds and Robb drove around with Luke to let him nap (he was EXHAUSTED). Luke was crying when we left because he did not like the sling they put him in (it was way too big but all they had) and tired.

I was glad to have a little time to myself to pray and thank God for all the provisions he had provided during this trial. I got the medicine about 10 minutes before our appointment and raced to the clinic. Luke and Robb were already back in the room when I got there. The PA was seeing Luke and waiting on the x-rays I had with me (oops!). She was really nice and good with Luke. She agreed with the assessment from the Emergency Department and said she'd see us in 3 weeks to take off the splint and repeat the x-rays. I was so relieved that it was over!

I checked with Holly to see if I should come get Avery, but she said she'd just meet us a KinderMusik. We took Luke home and tried to get him to eat (he hadn't had anything since breakfast). He didn't want food but was acting great. The PA said we didn't have to use the sling, and as soon as we took that off Luke was happy!

We made it to KinderMusik and Luke did great. He really hasn't slowed down much! As soon as we had his arm secured and let him out of the sling, he has been ready to go, go, go! He's all boy!!! We even stayed after to play on the outdoor stage with Holly and Tyler. So great to debrief with my dear friend!

Some other friends stopped by last night to look at the x-rays and Luke (he is an Ortho Resident). He thought everything looked good and offered to redo Luke's splint in a few days if we wanted. He couldn't believe how active Luke was even with the splint! The splint was obviously doing it's job because Luke wasn't hurting one bit!

We went today and got a soft cast- now I'm a little less nervous :) They did some quick x-rays while the splint was off and everything still looked good and in place. God is Good.

I only have a few pictures from my phone. These are from today once Luke got his soft cast.

Back in the saddle again!

We are so humbled by the love we were shown by our friends. God is good and knows just exactly what we need and when we need it. I am so blessed by the love we were shown!