First stitches

Of course things like this happen when you first move, do not have a doctor, the old insurance just expired 5 days ago, and you just signed up for new insurance.  The inspector warned us of the metal barrier that keeps the grass out of the rocks being a cutting hazard to feet and paws.  We had planned to cover the metal (they sell stuff to do it easily), but we’ve been so busy unpacking.

I was in the backyard with the kids while they played and I pulled weeds.  Soon Cooper decided it was time to pick up Scout’s poop.  I stopped to help and as we were making sure we got everything picked up, Charlotte starts crying and yelling that she hurt her foot.

I assumed she stepped on a rock and told her to calm down and tell me where it hurts.  She just kept holding her foot.  I asked her to go sit on the patio until it feels better.  I was only about 15 seconds, and she seemed to be getting more hysterical yelling that ‘huts, huts’ (hurts, hurts).  Then I noticed that there was blood all over the patio and all over her hands!

I rushed over and checked out her foot and sure enough she had a deep gash.  I rushed her inside, trying to convince Cooper not to pick up any more poop (Chris had left to run errands).  I was concerned about tetanus and infection so I allowed the wound to bleed freely for about 20 sec while I washed my hands and Charlotte’s hands.  Then used soap and water to clean up the wound so I could see how bad it was.  After I could see what was wrong I put pressure on it to make sure the wound stopped bleeding.

It was one of those cuts that was deeper than I was comfortable with, but not quite deep enough to make me seriously worried.  I called Chris to ask if I should take her to the Urgent Care down the street and he said do what I think is the right thing.  I just felt more comfortable being told she was fine by a doctor, rather than risking it being more serious later on.

So I had to somehow keep Charlotte seated on the couch and corral Cooper.  Since they had been playing at their water table their clothes were wet and both had very wet diapers.  I had to first change all their clothes and diapers (running up and down stairs, still corralling Cooper and convincing Charlotte to stay on the couch), and get Charlotte to let me put a Band-Aid on her cut.

We finally got in the car and drove the Urgent Care.  Chris took Cooper to finish errands and grab dinner, while I stayed with Charlotte.  Because I didn’t have proof of insurance yet, we had to pay $377 just for the office visit!  That’s just to see the doctor!  I took her back and she was obviously very scared.  I was so mad I forgot her blankie.

They had to burrito wrap her in a big blanket and pin her legs in order to numb her foot.  She screamed and cried and begged to have me pick her up.  It was just awful.  Then they gave her 2 stitches (which cost another $242), and she cried again.  She at least told them about her dog ‘Towty’ who says ‘woo, woo’.  She said ‘chane choo’ (thank you) and ‘aw betta’ when I could finally pick her up.

She has been running, dancing, and jumping just fine, although if we tell her to be careful with her foot she gets really dramatic and whimpers saying ‘hut, hut’!  I am so glad she is okay and so glad I took her to the doctor.

Now I have to figure out the whole insurance thing and filing a claim.

Gigi makes everything better!

The house is officially ours since one of our children have marked it with their blood.

Metal barrier that is now protected from feet and paws.