I need to recognise the bravery of my oldest daughter, Matilda, who fell from playground equipment after school on Friday afternoon and sustained fractures to both bones in her left forearm.
As I’ve shared in past posts, Matilda is hyper-sensitive to touch and has been known to become overwhelmed when injured in the slightest possible way.
So you can imagine my apprehension when she fell from the spring-loaded see-saw at the park and emerged with a completely floppy arm.
Obviously in pain and shock, she retreated into herself and her first words upon landing and grabbing her arm were “this is not happening, this is just a dream.”
Unfortunately, for all of us, it was all too real.
After the first wave of shock and revulsion (there isn’t anything good about seeing your child’s arm sitting at an unnatural angle, with no support), I somehow calmed myself down so I could calm her.
I guided her out of the see-saw (she had fallen in between the seat and the springs) and somehow ushered her and Delilah to the car. Meanwhile, Gilbert who had elected to stay in the car as he was uninterested in playing at the park, was none-too-pleased to hear about our upcoming detour to the hospital.
It was a car ride I do not wish to remember or relive ever again.
Throughout it all, Matilda held it together. She was scared, in shock and in a significant amount of pain, but she did not meltdown or fall into hysterics. I think it helped that for most of it, she retreated into her own world where everything that was actually happening to her, seemed to be a bad dream.
As we drove to the hospital, I talked to her about what may happen there (in between dealing with Delilah’s endless questions and Gilbert’s never-ending complaints) which seemed to penetrate her haze and help prepare her for what was to come.
It also helped that triage ushered us straight through to the ED paediatric ward as soon as we arrived.
There is something about the sight of an small person’s arm, floppy and at an unnatural angle, that somehow jolts people into action…
After a brief examination and x-ray, it was discovered she had broken both bones in her forearm and it was decided she would require surgery due to the degree of damage. Unfortunately this was an outcome I had not anticipated or prepared her for.
Regardless, she was brave and resolute. While she was clearly scared and shaken, she cooperated with hospital staff and even let them touch and stabilise her arm, after liberal doses of pain relief took effect.
After a restless and uncomfortable night, her anxiety levels rose and she really did not want to go through with the scheduled surgery. She was deathly scared of what was to come, as I suspect most 10-year-olds would be.
But my girl was stronger and braver than I had ever given her credit for. She managed to face her fears and let the anaesthetist do his work, despite her very real misgivings.
Afterwards, she even coped with the news that the surgeon did indeed need to perform an open reduction to re-set her arm, although she had been hoping (as had I) for a closed reduction instead.
While she is pretty much already over the cast and the frustration of having to do everything with only one arm, she has remained strong and brave throughout this whole process.
I am so proud of her courage and determination in the face of a pretty terrible situation. Right now I could not be more proud of anyone or anything.
OUCH!!!!
She is brave. I’m not sure I’d be that brave …
Thanks for the linky 🙂
I know Leanne – I barely held it together myself! She blew me away with her bravery and resilience – I’m sorry she had to go through it but I’m glad that I got to see her strength.
How stressful! Even if she wasn’t hypersensitive to touch…glad she is home and on the mend. How frustrating for her (not being able to use her arm properly for a bit!)
The frustration is real and ongoing – only another 6 weeks to go… 😉
I followed the progress on FB and your daughter has truly been so brave! It must have been so scary for her and of course, you too. Glad the surgery went through ok and hope she recovers well. Also, I think you’ve done really well with your business too! Kudos to you 🙂
She’s doing well so far – we’re going to try to get back to school tomorrow so fingers crossed she gets through that with no problems!
What a brave daughter you have in Matilda! I hope she recovers quickly and is out of her cast soon.
Thanks Ingrid – I think she is hoping for the very same thing as she’s over the cast already!
What a weekend you’ve had. So glad that your daughter’s surgery went well. We had a year of broken bones about 2 years ago. Felt like we were going through a revolving door at the childrens’ hospital. Thankfully no surgery but there was a dislocated thumb that almost made me want to vomit.
and… congratulations on all you’ve achieved, especially your Bupa nomination and making it through to the finals. Well done.
I must confess when I first saw her “banana arm” (that’s what Matilda called it) I nearly passed out – it looked SO wrong!
Wow good on her, so brave! I’ve never broken anything before, I don’t know how I would cope.
I’ve only had hairline fractures in my finger and toe before, never a real break so I have no idea how much it would hurt. I suspect I would not cope all that well either!
GO Matilda! She’s amazingly brave and I hope she has a speedy recovery. Congratulations on all your hard work and the bupa nomination! That’s awesome.
Thanks so much Ness!
Huge bravery! I was terrified last week that I would need a cast on my foot because I didn’t think I’d cope with being unable to move it whenever I wanted.
The thought of a cast fills me with dread. She’s already over it – not looking forward to the next 6 weeks of irritation and complaint!
Congrats on all your blog and business successes this year, and well done to your daughter for her bravery!
Thanks Cate – it’s been a good year so far (except for the broken arm!)
What a time it was from that moment on Friday. yes, like many have said, I followed how things were going. Even more challenging with your DD…yet she has shown that she can deal with the formerly ‘unsealable’ and that too is testament to you too, her mum. So glad you are home (phew) but your week will be consumed by getting M from this situation to hopefully a fibreglass cast which will give you both some independence. Thinking of you and big congrats on the aforementioned achievements other than Miss M.
Thanks D – yes it was a huge weekend and I’m so glad we are now home. Still a week and half before we get the new cast but I’m hopeful it will bring her more comfort and more security when at school.
undealable
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your daughter Matilda.
I’m most proud of overcoming my fear of driving and getting my licence at almost 33 years old!!
You should be proud of that Michelle – learning to drive is one of the most scary things you can do, at any age – well done!
Our brag books are very similar Kirsty! Poor Matilda, hopefully it heals up quickly and having a cast doesn’t bother her too much.
Thanks Janet x Good luck with your award nomination – when do you find out the result?