Two Friday afternoons ago, Will was at a long-awaited guy's day with some friends watching the NCAA tournament and I was outside at home with the kids riding bicycles. There is a gentle slope down to our driveway that the kids had been up and down numerous times. Past our driveway, there is a deceivingly steep hill down to the cul-de-sac that we had warned the kids about. Instead of turning into our driveway on the way back home like he's done every other time, Jack decided to go straight down the hill. I was a ways behind the kids on the sidewalk and all I hear is Anna yelling, "Mommy, get him! Mommy, get him!" I start sprinting to catch up to him and by now he is flying. I see the bump at the end as the sidewalk hits the cul-de-sac and know that if he hits that, he is going to get really hurt. I lunge for his handlebars and drag the bike (and him) down. I, however, kept going. Jack ended up with a small scratch on his arm. Mommy ended up face-planting into the road and busting her forehead open.
Initially, as any mom would be, I was more worried about whether Jack was ok than myself. But as soon as I saw the kids' faces, I knew that I was worse off. The gash on my forehead was pouring blood and I had a cupped handful in just a few seconds as I yelled for Anna to go and get a towel. I managed to get some pressure on it and get into the house with the kids. I knew I needed to clean it, so I got the kids preoccupied, and then went and got in the shower. That's when the thoughts started: I just fell and hit my head. I'm alone with the kids. What happens if I black out? What if I start puking? What do I do if I realize I need to go to the hospital? I knew our neighbors weren't home. All of the case stories from my traumatic brain injury CE the day before at work kept coming to mind as well. Great timing, huh?
Once I was out of the shower, I pulled Anna aside and reviewed with her how to call 911. We had taught her that recently and she remembered. Then I called Will and told him what had happened. I knew he couldn't come right home, but wanted him to know. Then I called my mom and she urged me to call my sister. Sarah and Jason were great! They dropped everything and came over with Caroline, even grabbing a pizza for dinner on the way. It turned out to be the best thing because after two hours, the gash still had not stopped bleeding completely and was so deep. After a family consultation, Sarah and I headed to the ED. Luckily, I was able to call up to the PICU and have the attending call the ED docs and have them look out for me so I didn't have to wait. It still took 2 hours for them to work me up and apply Dermabond (liquid stitches) to my gash. But since it is in the middle of my forehead, I felt better about healing with the Dermabond on there.
So, now I'm going to have a scar in the middle of my forehead. Yes, I plan to keep it out of the sun and apply sunscreen religiously so hopefully the scar will be minimal. My personal plastic surgeon (my college roommate) has even given me some massage techniques to encourage blood flow and collagen formation. However, I will likely always carry with me some small proof that I have sacrificed for my children. If they ever doubt this, all they have to do is look at my face. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
 |
| After a shower and the first ice pack. |
 |
| Yes, the nurse became the patient. |
 |
| All glued up and ready to go home! |
 |
The kids across the street made a sign
and put it on the hill to warn others. So cute! |
