Saturday 10 March 2012

A Story of a Boy and his Leg......


On Wednesday evening at about 5 pm, just before dinner, the 3 kids were playing tag in the living room when Gabe fell and I heard a blood chilling scream for help. 

There was something about that scream that instantly told me he had broken his leg. 

When I got to him I could see the huge swelling - hoping against hope it was just bruised I threw a bag of frozen peas on it and rushed to get the girls ready for a trip to the Accident and Emergency up the road from us.

He screamed every time he was moved and he begged for help through his tears. My heart broke for him. Sean was on his way from work and stuck in traffic so the fantastic nurse at the A & E looked after the girls while Gabe was rushed into x-ray.

The radiologist came out from behind her protective wall and I asked her if his leg was broken. She nodded "yes, but it's not bad".

front view
We helped him turn over so she could take a side view. She came back out - and said  "it's bad!"

side view

By then Sean had arrived and the doctor spoke to him about getting an ambulance to take him to Starship Children's Hospital. But we decided we would rather drive him there ourselves.

The nurse put a temporary cast on and we were off to the hospital. All this happened in 24 minutes (I have the discharge papers from the A and E  to prove it). It seemed like hours to me....

When we got to the hospital they were waiting for us and we were taken care of immediately. The Bone Doctor said the swelling was too much to make a decision then and there. But Gabe may need pins! 

We have a fracture clinic next week where they will decide to either operate or plaster properly. 

He has a spiral fracture of the left tibia

The nurses gave Gabe laughing gas and re-plastered his leg - leaving the top part just bandaged to help get the swelling down. 

We left an hour later, tired, hungry and all very stressed. My poor boy was in excruciating pain but the pain meds did help a lot.

He needs to rest with his leg elevated.....


On Thursday we had to take him back to the hospital to be fitted for a wheelchair and to get crutches. That was an ordeal..... 

But today the chair arrived and he is so much happier - still in a lot of pain but oh so cheeky again!

I spoke to the Deputy Principal at his school today, to let her know what's happened and she has signed him off school for the rest of the term. When I told Gabe that - he decided he would "homeschool" himself.... he is so funny!



And so, as of now? We wait..... and keep him rested, give him lots of love and pray that he wont need surgery.

Wonderful friends have rallied around and today we had a meal delivered, hugs given and help to get Payton to and from Kindergarten next week. 

We are blessed....

xxx

Photobucket

14 comments:

  1. OH Natalie! I am so sorry. I can't imagine how horrible your sweet boy feels. And I am sure you feel just as bad! Hoping for a quick recovery. I'll be thinking of you.
    Hugs- Samantha

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    1. Thank you so much Samantha - boys huh? Will keep you updated - thanks for your sweet reply xxx Nat

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  2. Oh Natalie, I will be praying for young Gabe. He looks to be a trooper in his chair. My youngest son was accident prone and constantly was going to ER for something. He just had a permanant front tooth implant right before Christmas. That was an 18 month long ordeal. Went through he last senior semester with no front tooth. All I can say is boys will be boys. I will be following your blog and thanks for the invite to visit. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Hi Lisa - thank you so much for following. Yep boys!!! My momma's heart cant really take too many more broken bones lol xxx Nat

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  3. Oh my goodness Natalie, it must have been hell for all of you. I hope he doesn't have to have an operation, but he looks and sounds like he'll just take it all in his stride - kids are so resilient aren't they.
    Wishing you all, all the best.
    Fiona

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    1. Thanks Fiona - the poor kid - I hope he doesnt have the op - it will set him right back to square one with the pain part of it. But we do need to know what is happening and how its going to be treated xxx Nat

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  4. OUCH! The xray gave me chills. Poor handsome little man. Poor Mommy. Sending prayers that he doesn't need surgery or pins. I can't even imagine hearing that kind of cry, the one you hear when you know something terrible is wrong. So glad he is in better spirits and more comfortable. If you need anything...even way over here in OHIO, let me know! Sending Hugs his way. To you too. Hope the whole family has an uneventful, relaxing weekend. xx ~ Mary

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    1. Mary - that second x-ray literally made my heart stop when I saw it. How could he possibly have done THAT! Thank you for everything - xxx Nat

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  5. oh my gosh Natalie!!!! That is so awful, but I am glad he is on the mend. They are so so so so much more resilient than we are. He seems like toughie. Thinking of you and Gabe and sending lots os positive vibes. That scream is every mothers worst nightmare.

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    1. Oh Rasonda - everyone says you will know that scream when you hear it and trust me i knew immediately - it was like something I've never heard before and wont forget in a long time. He is doing well - thank you for your lovely words xx Nat

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  6. Oh my! That's terrible! I hope he heals quickly. The xray was something. I was wondering how they could say it wasn't bad, until I read the next line. Best wishes to Gabe for a recovery without pins!

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    1. Thank you Mary - still waiting for his clinic appointment and he is managing so much better in the wheelchair bless him xx Nat

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  7. I hope he is on the road to recovery now and in no more pain

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    1. Thanks Sally - we are still waiting for the hospital - Im hoping they wont opereate and set him back pain wise but obviously if it needs to be done then we will cope. xx nat

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