Steven's first ER experience
Yesterday was a LONG day...
Steven woke up, ate, took a wonderful nap (long enough for me to get the bathroom and laundry room not only cleaned, but detailed), and he and I went downstairs to play. Steven is still a bit wobbly when sitting on his own (I really think it has more to do with a want to than a can't do, as he will sit perfectly fine for 15 min. when in the right mood). He was sitting on the floor near the kitchen (surrounded completely by the soft carpeted floor...or so I thought). I was maybe 2 feet away from him on the floor. He began to tip, my reaction was too slow and SMACK he hit his head hard on the kitchen floor...how he twisted and turned in the process of his fall to reach the kitchen floor I still haven't figured out. I quickly scooped him up gave him his paci and did all the "poor baby, you're okay" talking I knew. He started to calm, but as it was time to eat again I nursed him back to happiness. He remained somewhat fussy the next 1/2 hour or so as we went back to playing, but as it was approaching nap time again I didn't think much of it. We went upstairs, I read him a few books while we rocked and then we just sat for a little while (maybe 20 minutes) doing nothing. In this picture perfect stillness, Steven began to projectile vomit...all of him, all over me. Poor baby! He never does this. I quickly stripped him of every bit of clothing and got him in the tub to rinse him off, while I got on the phone with my mom (who knows everything...right?). She suggested I call his doctor, so I did. They said to go to the ER asap for a cat scan. As quickly as I wanted to get out the door, I suddenly realized I hadn't showered, I was in my pajamas still (who changes their clothes just to clean the bathroom??) and now was covered in puke. I quickly called Nathan, told him to meet me at the ER (we had to drive the 25 min to Capitol since St. Pete's ER Dr's don't except our insurance - long story - Nathan has quite the bone to pick with them), I threw on some clothes, attempted to look like I hadn't just rolled out of bed (who wants to give the appearance that this happened while mom was sleeping??), got Steven dressed and got going, all the while trying not to think about what damage I've potentially done to my son.
Steven slept on our way to the ER and we didn't have to wait horribly long to be seen. For anyone who hasn't been into the Capitol ER first off, lucky you, secondly, it is ancient...disgusting...and very unorganized...how I was wishing we were at St. Pete's. Thankfully, the nurses (for the most part) and the Dr we saw were very friendly and reassured us. Steven ended up not needing a cat scan. He was not showing any signs of serious head injury. They did decide to do an x ray just to make sure he didn't have a skull fracture. He puked on me one more time before the xray, but otherwise Steven was relatively calm and happy at this point, even though he hadn't had his afternoon nap yet. He really only got angry when he had to be held still for the xray. The x rays came back fine and they gave me a list of things to watch for and told me to follow up with his pediatrician today. We were at the ER for a total of 2 1/2 hours, not too bad.
I got home around 4, hungry (hadn't eaten hardly anything before we needed to leave), puked on, and tired. I decided to take a shower while Steven sat in his bouncy seat. Of course, now that I was unable to reach him quickly he decided to try acrobates in the bouncy and reach his toes giving me images of him smacking his head again...only this time on the bathroom floor. Good thing Steven listens to me as I basically spent my entire 3 minute shower saying "Stop Steven! Don't do that!" as if he understood what I was saying...sigh.
I was SOOO thankful I did not have to cook that night as we already had plans to go to Kevin and Laine's house for dinner. Steven napped slightly on our way to their house, fussed a little bit when it was bed time but promptly fell asleep in the ergo while we ate smores (I indulged in a few extra - figured I'd earned it after my day).
Per Dr's orders...he slept in our bed with us last night so we could keep an eye on him (oh, and I had to wake him up every two hours...not that difficult as he usually meets this time frame on his own every night). Aside from that fact, we all got some decent sleep last night.
So...no more being near the kitchen floor for Steven...at least for now.
Steven woke up, ate, took a wonderful nap (long enough for me to get the bathroom and laundry room not only cleaned, but detailed), and he and I went downstairs to play. Steven is still a bit wobbly when sitting on his own (I really think it has more to do with a want to than a can't do, as he will sit perfectly fine for 15 min. when in the right mood). He was sitting on the floor near the kitchen (surrounded completely by the soft carpeted floor...or so I thought). I was maybe 2 feet away from him on the floor. He began to tip, my reaction was too slow and SMACK he hit his head hard on the kitchen floor...how he twisted and turned in the process of his fall to reach the kitchen floor I still haven't figured out. I quickly scooped him up gave him his paci and did all the "poor baby, you're okay" talking I knew. He started to calm, but as it was time to eat again I nursed him back to happiness. He remained somewhat fussy the next 1/2 hour or so as we went back to playing, but as it was approaching nap time again I didn't think much of it. We went upstairs, I read him a few books while we rocked and then we just sat for a little while (maybe 20 minutes) doing nothing. In this picture perfect stillness, Steven began to projectile vomit...all of him, all over me. Poor baby! He never does this. I quickly stripped him of every bit of clothing and got him in the tub to rinse him off, while I got on the phone with my mom (who knows everything...right?). She suggested I call his doctor, so I did. They said to go to the ER asap for a cat scan. As quickly as I wanted to get out the door, I suddenly realized I hadn't showered, I was in my pajamas still (who changes their clothes just to clean the bathroom??) and now was covered in puke. I quickly called Nathan, told him to meet me at the ER (we had to drive the 25 min to Capitol since St. Pete's ER Dr's don't except our insurance - long story - Nathan has quite the bone to pick with them), I threw on some clothes, attempted to look like I hadn't just rolled out of bed (who wants to give the appearance that this happened while mom was sleeping??), got Steven dressed and got going, all the while trying not to think about what damage I've potentially done to my son.
Steven slept on our way to the ER and we didn't have to wait horribly long to be seen. For anyone who hasn't been into the Capitol ER first off, lucky you, secondly, it is ancient...disgusting...and very unorganized...how I was wishing we were at St. Pete's. Thankfully, the nurses (for the most part) and the Dr we saw were very friendly and reassured us. Steven ended up not needing a cat scan. He was not showing any signs of serious head injury. They did decide to do an x ray just to make sure he didn't have a skull fracture. He puked on me one more time before the xray, but otherwise Steven was relatively calm and happy at this point, even though he hadn't had his afternoon nap yet. He really only got angry when he had to be held still for the xray. The x rays came back fine and they gave me a list of things to watch for and told me to follow up with his pediatrician today. We were at the ER for a total of 2 1/2 hours, not too bad.
I got home around 4, hungry (hadn't eaten hardly anything before we needed to leave), puked on, and tired. I decided to take a shower while Steven sat in his bouncy seat. Of course, now that I was unable to reach him quickly he decided to try acrobates in the bouncy and reach his toes giving me images of him smacking his head again...only this time on the bathroom floor. Good thing Steven listens to me as I basically spent my entire 3 minute shower saying "Stop Steven! Don't do that!" as if he understood what I was saying...sigh.
I was SOOO thankful I did not have to cook that night as we already had plans to go to Kevin and Laine's house for dinner. Steven napped slightly on our way to their house, fussed a little bit when it was bed time but promptly fell asleep in the ergo while we ate smores (I indulged in a few extra - figured I'd earned it after my day).
Per Dr's orders...he slept in our bed with us last night so we could keep an eye on him (oh, and I had to wake him up every two hours...not that difficult as he usually meets this time frame on his own every night). Aside from that fact, we all got some decent sleep last night.
So...no more being near the kitchen floor for Steven...at least for now.
So glad that little man is okay! You definitely deserved the extra smores after a day like that.
ReplyDeleteSooo scary!! I am glad everything turned out okay. Poor guy (and mama)!!
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