The ER Diaries: Installment #2

We had trip number two to the emergency room tonight. Yes, that makes two trips to the ER in one month. We were at Babies R' Us this afternoon getting Will's one-year pictures taken (we were a month late getting that done due to ER trip #1 and the wrapped Q-tip hands that weren't suitable for photos). After the photo shoot was finished, I was sitting with the sales person deciding what pictures I wanted to purchase when I heard the indistinguishable wail of my son echoing through the store. I looked up to see Billy holding Will, blood running down Will's face. Turns out Will tripped and fell into a clothing rack, hitting the area right above his eye. The result? A nice gash that deserved an ER trip and several nervous glances from the store manager as we ran out, fearing that a law suit might be pending...

Fortunately, we got into the ER pretty quickly and Will was in good spirits. The good spirits lasted until they put him in a baby straight jacket to prevent him from moving his hands and head while the doctor was doing the stitches. Needless to say, Will didn't care much for that. Oh, and he also didn't like the fact that the doctor didn't numb the area well enough, so the last stitch that went in basically went in without any pain or numbing medication at all. The doctor apologized, though, so that made it all alright (insert sarcasm here).

We have to get the stitches removed on Christmas day, but fortunately my oldest sister (who's house we will be staying at in Oregon) is a physical therapist who specializes in wound care (a whole other story), so she should be able to handle that task.

Yet again, I am amazed at what a tough, strong, happy-spirited little boy I have. Yes, he cried during the anesthesia free-stitching session, but otherwise he was happy and joking with the hospital staff. I can't say I would be the same if the proverbial shoe were on the other foot.

Now here's to wishing for an ER-free 2009--and here are a couple of pics from the hospital (yes, in that last picture he is laughing...see what I mean about good spirits?)