I suppose you know you have had a good summer where you have played hard when you end up in urgent care twice because of head wounds 
. [ Though we have been to urgent care three times total this summer when you count the ear infection visit Ari had on our July road trip.]
Earlier this month Ari hit his head super hard on the edge of our wooden deck. While he was on the grass, he bent down to pick up a ball that was next to the deck. He lost his balance and then smacked his forehead on the deck. Instantly a goose egg appeared. We took him to urgent care to make sure there was no concussion since it was his bed time.
Last Saturday Randy took the older boys to the park so I could stay home while Ari napped and get some things done. As soon as I got settled into my routine, I got a phone call from Randy telling me Cory needed stitches … I almost didn’t answer the phone (that was before I knew what it was all about).
Apparently Cory had a fight with the teeter totter at the park and Cory proudly declared that he won 
! He was playing/squatting on the seesaw and then lost his balance and banged his head on the metal part of it.
We are grateful for the Good Samaritan at the park who helped without being asked. He gave us gauze and baby wipes to take care of all the blood. He then helped Eli get in the car and he popped the trunk and put all the toys in there! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the good people in the world who just help out when needed!
Cory was pretty worried about heading to the urgent care, but he ended up being really brave. The doctor was thinking of using glue on the laceration, but we then decided that stitches would be a better option to make sure the cut stayed sealed – he ended up with 4.
Cory definitely didn’t want stitches, but after I told him that I have had them on 9 separate occasions, he decided that they weren’t all that scary. [Though he hasn't liked the fact that having stitches means he also can't go swimming right now!]
After we were all done, we headed to our local book store so Cory could choose a book … yes, I bribed him to help him settle down! We also went and got some frozen yogurt. [Sorry for the no-shirt picture - I had him take it off so I could attempt to get all the blood out of it. Surprisingly I was able to get it all out!]
I never should of exclaimed the week or so before this happened, that we had yet to have a stitches incident with our kids. I guess I jinxed myself!
a few years ago, I told someone that we’d never had a broken bone only glue, staples and stitches and we were in the ER the next week with a broken arm!
Things I’ve learned:
-I keep steri strips and butterflies on hand but I always go in if it looks really dirty, I don’t trust that I can get it clean as well. And even with all of our stitches, staples and casts, I usually just go in and let the professionals take care of it.
-a clean diaper, which we usually have on hand, is great for soaking up blood and providing cushion for the ride to the ER.
-if the wound is on the hands, feet or face, I go straight to Childrens Hospital. Its worth the drive
-the ER usually has no wait.
-if at all possible, I skip the urgent care and ER and go to my pediatrician. they are faster and cheaper.
-don’t ever say things that can jinx you.
We’ve been to the ER twice this summer.
Thanks for the tips, Shay!
Unfortunately all of our emergencies have been after regular doctor clinic hours, but thankfully our urgent care isn’t too expensive for us – just our regular co-pay.
And R didn’t have a diaper bag on him, so no diapers there
!!
And yes, don’t jinx yourself … poor Ari just bonked his head again this afternoon
!! I can’t seem to win! At least this goose egg isn’t quite as big, but still, it looks like it hurts!
Wow Laura quite a streak in a short amount of time! Those head wounds are nasty. A’s wound looks majorly familiar to Roger’s first year of life!
C..wow. Glad you got stitches over glue. Esp. with that deep, and like you said with being such an active kid.
Nice tips above! I’m sure I’ll be needing them…whether I want to or not. And aren’t you just grateful for good people in the world? There’s hope!
Love you and STAY SAFE, darnit! xoxoxo
So glad he’s okay! Brave boy!!!
Hope all are on the road to full recovery and no more bonked heads for a season.
Wow, the picture of his wound before stitches is scary! I may have passed out or cried or both! Isn’t it interesting how we have to hold it together for kids? I’m glad it wasn’t more serious. Those teeter totters kind of scare me sometimes too, but I’m always worried about kids knocking out a tooth!