"911, What's Your Emergency?"

Tuesday afternoon ended up a little differently than we imagined.  Our Kai-boy is still in one piece and everything is fine--but it took four hours of adventures to be sure that was true.

We went for our usual after-school play date at the park with a pile of Discovery Homeschool Academy friends for a fun time doing dangerous things like running with sticks & spinning too fast on the tire swing.  The moms gathered in the sunshine to keep warm & catch up on all the craziness of being who we are.

The mob of ditch urchins made their way up to the playground and just as I was starting to think it was about time to go, time froze as a scream pierced through the giggles of play.  My friend, Kelly, dashed toward the playground saying "He fell right on his head!".  I turned to look and saw a crumpled boy with a mop of red hair laying limp on the ground under the monkey bars.

The moment when you realize it's your own kid seriously hurt is hard to describe.  Moms swarmed over us as I held him still on the ground.  I remember hearing "don't let him move", "hold him still", "is he okay?" over his sobs.  Someone wrapped the blanket I had been snuggled in over him and I grabbed my phone, called 911 and started praying.  Thankfully, while we waited for the EMTs, he was conscious and could move his fingers and toes.

When they arrived, he had calmed down enough to tell them what happened.  He had leaped off of the elevated stepping pads to the s-shaped monkey bars--something that he said "usually works".  But his sweaty hands caused him to slip and the momentum made him flip to the ground, landing directly on his head.  The fall was from about six feet in the air so the EMTs said, "No choice, you're headed for Children's Mercy." 

So, collared and strapped to the board, they loaded him up in the ambulance.  He seemed calm and I could tell by the speed of the procedure that there was not an immediate danger, which helped me to think as clearly as can be expected at such a time.  Eric & I were a little disappointed they didn't get to use the sirens and drive really fast--I mean, we did pay for a ride!

"Try not to look dead, Kai, okay?"

My dear friend Kathy was able to take Elena and Zane home with her, Eric was meeting us at the ER, and my sister, Jodi, helped juggle phone calls, kids and meetings that we were supposed to attend.  I'm so thankful for them all!  We kept in touch via text during the evening, and knowing Kai was bathed in prayers of so many families was such a comfort for him and for me.

We were at the ER for about three hours, which I totally realize isn't that long of a visit, but it sure felt like forever for my hungry boy who was flat on his back.  Children's Mercy does many thing well, but the mirrored glasses that allowed him to watch the ceiling-mounted TV probably topped his list of favorites.  He was uncomfortable with the collar on for so long, but he was so patient and very concerned for the other patients that he heard entering the ER with screams and sobs.

After two trips to radiology to rule out any breaks (neck x-ray, ct scan & an elbow x-ray), three nice nurses and two great docs, Kai was able to walk out of the ER with instructions for some ibuprofen, a hot shower & to "be a better monkey!".  Not too shabby.

As a momma to two rough-and-tumble boys, I couldn't help wondering if I should have just let him dust off and hop up to run again.  I talked to the CM staff and my own Mom, who is also an ER nurse, and they both reassured me that calling 911 was the right thing to do.  It would have been a disservice to Kai to take the chance of serious injury to his spine.  My heart hurts for the kids who don't get to walk away like he did. 

So all glory to God for yet again protecting our beloved boy!  Thank you, Jesus!