The ER

I was too busy taking incoming orders at the catalog company where I have been working. Also, I was thoroughly enjoying my Friendly's Wattamelon Role sherbert. So I didn't hear my cell phone ringing and when he couldn't reach me that way, G wound up calling the company directly. A supervisor came back to the room where I was and told me I needed to call home.

Uh-oh. That couldn't be good. He certainly wasn't calling to tell me he missed me, this I knew. Not even there 45 minutes and something horrible had happened at home. I couldn't imagine what it could be, or which child. But I didn't panic, just calmly called home sweet home. G answered and told me I needed to come home. Jeffrey nearly put his teeth through his lower lip and Joey was doubled over in pain, complaining of a stomach ache. Neither incident was related, and what are the odds I'd get 2 for 2 instead of just 1 emergency? As I hung up with the promise I'd be there quickly than he could say 'Emergency' (the company is a convenient less than 5 minute drive door to door), I noted how I didn't hear any screaming in the background. So it couldn't be all that bad. No need to drive recklessly.

I calmly logged off of the computer and phone, packed up my things, including my precious sherbert, punched out, and headed home. G had accomplished fixing the broken Christmas lights when I walked in. Jeffrey was happily playing with a matchbox car and missile, as was Joey. Nothing catastrophic here. I may even be able to go back to work!

When inquired about his stomach, Joey suddenly remembered it ached and half-whined a pitiful wail. Good grief. I asked if maybe he was hungry and he said he was, despite the fact that he had eaten before I left earlier for work. Those growth spurts come on with no fair warning. I offer him food and he is good to go. I turn my attention to Jeffrey for a quick examination of his injury, and he protests, wanting to keep playing. There is a nasty gash in his lower inside lip. Did it warrant a trip to the ER? I couldn't tell. He is the first one to sustain that type of injury so I have no prior experience about it. If it was a head injury, I'd be all set. Joey was our guinea pig on that type of injury. Heads and faces bleed like hell, and always seem worse than they actually are. We spent $50 at the ER to get educated on that one. Most head gashes will heal themselves, as would Joey's. Should I take the chance and spend $50 for a fast course on mouth injuries like Jeffrey's? Why not? He's worth it and I'd sure regret it if I didn't bring him and it required the immediate medical attention I would deny him based on my ignorance.

So off to the ER Jeffrey and I go. Thankfully, it was cold and maybe that's what kept most people home, so it wasn't busy and we were seen quickly. Jeffrey was examined and it was decided after a second consult that stitches would not be needed. A kernel of corn wouldn't fit in the hole. If it could, they'd stitch it. So keep that in mind next time your precious one suffers a mouth injury. If it hasn't gone all the way through and you can't fit a piece of corn in it, save yourself the trip to the ER. The wound will heal on its own.

Jeffrey pretty much slept through the entire experience and we were back home by 8:30 PM. I could get him to bed and even go back to work for 2 hours. But Jeffrey woke up once he was put to bed, and decided he was NOT going back to sleep without some parental love. Either he'd be rocked or he'd fall asleep in our bed. Why break routine? He's used to this, after all, and would I deny him the chance to fall asleep in our bed with daddy like he has been every night I am working? You bet I would. Of course, Joey decided he'd sleep with us instead. Those nights of having no child between us are so far and few...

So there you have it. Tommy has visited the ER 3 times, Joey and Jeffrey each once. I suppose Christopher better get with it so he can be a registered patient there as well.

By 9 PM, I decided to just call it a day and didn't return to work. No big loss. I'll make it up to them. Maybe.