Request for Exemption
Austin’s appointment this afternoon with the orthopedic surgeon went well. We soaked his hand in sterile water and peroxide until we could peel the bandages off and the doctor was quite pleased with how it looked. He could tell right away from the way Austin was holding his fingers that there was no nerve damage (phew) and said the skin tone looked good and pink which meant it was already reconnecting (phew again). Austin, yet again, has ended up extremely lucky in his own extremely unlucky way.
Stitches can be removed in a week, although the doctor did caution that the nylon kind used in the ER will be painful to remove. Not awful, but at least a pinch which will certainly get tiresome when there are 42 of them. He even said he was going to call the ER to tell them not to use that type with kids anymore.
Thanks for all your comments, both here and on Facebook, which fully convey the horror and commiseration that such a story deserves. I heard from at least three separate people who said they read it out loud to a group to much gasping and groaning. We too felt horrified as we watched this all unfold and were weighed down by a deep sense of the injustice of it. Especially because it had happened on Austin’s requested outing, his special celebration, the thing he’d been awaiting for so long.
Braedan, meanwhile, has encouraged all of us to eat (and color) with our left hands until Austin regains use of his right (coloring is easier than eating). Another grand and mature display of brotherly affection between the endless bickering.
And I agree that at least this falls within the range of “normal” little boy accidents but I also agree that we should be exempt from such things. In fact, I hereby apply for our official exemption and can write a powerful and convincing essay to the universe describing exactly why my family should no longer be subjected to such “ordinary” calamities as broken arms and bicycle accidents, and most especially not such major calamities as teenage car wrecks or middle-aged heart attacks.
I know (oh, do I ever) that suffering is not evenly distributed … but I do indeed think we’ve had enough.
Of course you should have an exemption! If only it really worked that way ….
But I’m raising my beer and drinking to that stitches story being one of the ones that makes you guys look back and laugh, as you’re getting ready for the rehearsal dinner for Austin’s wedding.
I want to give extra kudos to Braeden. From understanding his parents’ and brother’s absences to shaving his head to eating with his left hand and saving dinner for his brother, that is one heck of a kid. You are lucky indeed. And might I also say you are a beautiful family!
Yet another facet to the term ‘Luckiest’
Very well said, Krissy. If anyone deserves a lifetime exemption from future calamity, it’s you guys! I sincerely hope you get it.