A great day, except for that trip to the ER

It was a beautiful day, in the 30's, but clear and sunny. I went to pick up Stefan from school and was going to stay for a bit to let Finnur play. I was quietly watching Stefan build a sand tower and when he finally saw me standing outside the sand area, he came running. Just before reaching me, he tripped and, as horrible luck would have it, went cheek first into the wood sand barrier. I happened to have my camera in the backpack so here's a peek a the cheek:


Does any mother get to avoid this scenario? I have been thinking of late how fortunate we've been to steer clear of the ER in the last 4 1/2 years. Of course I have been haunted by the imagine of his fall ever since and sure wish it hadn't happened. Everyone at the school was very helpful and sympathetic. They kept saying, "Can your husband come?" I had the car, so no, he couldn't come. It took a bit of deep breathing to keep from falling apart, but I didn't want Stefan to see me looking scared. I loaded the kids into the car, Stefan holding a cool cloth to his profusely bleeding face, and picked up Arni from work on the way to the ER.

It looked busy inside so we braced ourselves for a long wait. Thankfully, they had a kid's waiting room with great toys and books. I read book after book to an anxious Stefan (well, interpreted the pictures in Icelandic kid's books is more like it) while Arni entertained Finnur. Finally, a man came and called, "Stefan". I couldn't tell who this person was. Turns out it was the doctor! He spoke perfect English and so did the medical student (a young Chinese man, from Holland, named Tony - go figure) who stayed with us most of the time and kept bringing juice. We would have been done fairly fast, but a car accident came in and the doc had to leave for a while. Arni worked on getting Finnur to sleep while I tried to keep Stefan happy and his wound from dripping blood all over the place.


Finally, the doctor came back and it was time to stitch. UGH. I talked to him about using the "glue" they have now for cuts, but he said it was way too deep for that, sadly. We decided to give Stefan a suppository (no, he wasn't too amused with the nurse putting that in his bum) that within five minutes had him acting as if he'd had about six beers. It was VERY funny to hear him slurring his words and gushing at the nurse. It didn't keep him from crying and needing to be held down by four of us during the numbing shots and stitches, but he seems to have no memory of that part of the journey.

The nurse gave him lots of fun "rewards" for being brave - bubbles, stickers, etc. - but his most treasured take was a little wound care kit he got to bring home. He's been playing "nurse" (not doctor, mind you) and taking care of cuts that Arni, Finnur and I bring to the ER we have set up at home now. He hasn't complained once since getting the stitches - I think there are three - and was very proud to go to school and show off his bandage this morning. There's a great bruise developing and this morning it looked like a black eye is on it's way. I admit my biggest downer in all this is thinking about the scar that he will wear as a daily reminder of the experience. It'll add character, right?

Oh, and the bill? $25. I'll update if we get another bill down the road, but I am sure a big fan of socialized medicine so far!