Oct 8, 2007

A Mother's first 911 call


Friday afternoon wasn't our typical Friday. It started off like most of our school day Fridays, with an afternoon set aside to visit with friends. Hallie and her two beautiful girls came over, (her oldest was coming for a sleep over).

Hallie and I got to sit and chat over coffee, we have only been friends for a few months, thanks to a re-introduction through our mutual friend, Cindy. (Hallie and I actually had met, 4 or 5 years ago, through a home school group we both attended.)


Hallie was able to pop-over last minute and we were getting to know each other a little better, right before King Bonkey (4) came in from outside to tell me that King Meemer (5) had successfully gotten his new bike started by himself. I told him that was great, but to make sure his brother was wearing his helmet. King Meemer only learned to ride his bike in September-it was a big accomplishment the first week of school here. However, he had yet to master the start-up process without someone to hold his bike for him.

The next sound we heard from the serenity of the living room was King Meemer's screams, which were intensifying with each passing moment. I ran out, followed by Hallie, to find my 5 year old lying in a tangled mess with his new shiny yellow bike. We tried to calm him down (Hallie and I), Hallie crawled right into the rhododendron to comfort my son and to remove the helmet from his head (yes, thank God he was wearing it!). I was trying to gently move his ankle, which had seemingly become part of the metal work of the bike, establishing itself firmly between the body of the bike and the pedal joint. (the arm that juts out from the frame to hold the pedals on, which is narrow indeed-who knew a human ankle could get in a 1 1/2 inch space!)


After a few moments, Hallie very quietly 'in code,' told me that I needed to stop 'trying' and go for the phone to call the emergency number (911) to bring us help. Hallie also told me to get water for him and I thought to grab an ice-pack for his throbbing leg while I fumbled in the house trying to remain calm.
King Meemer was in between calm and screaming, if ever the two could meet.
I called 911, explaining the situation and asking for immediate help. I then told my 2nd oldest to call her Papa (who might pull in to the madness at any moment). My oldest and Hallie comforted King Meemer, I tried to keep his mind off of his predicament by teasing him about his "mad driving skills." Hallie rubbed his head, Pirate Jacky (16) held the front of the bike, I continued to talk us to the point when help arrived.
AND thankfully it did. A volunteer fireman/emergency medical technician came first, he tried to work my lad's sock and pants out of the way, then the ambulance came, they sent me in for dish soap...when I reemerged from the house, the two were no longer one and my Knight was on the scene as well.

They checked him over, recommending a trip in the ambulance to make sure there was nothing broken (it was discolored and out of shape for sure.)

King Meemer, a full ambulance crew and my Knight whisked into the evening in their boxy chariot, leaving the rest of us to gain a bit of composure (I think we did great, much thanks to Hallie and her E.M.T. training!)

Hallie and I prayed for his time in the ambulance and at the hospital, for his care and protection by God and through the hands that would help him there.


Shortly after I drove off to join them at the hospital- as I parked they were coming out. The doctor had looked him over and thought X rays were unnecessary. They wrapped his ankle and gave Papa instructions on how to manage at home. King Meemer was beaming as he carefully launched himself into the family tank, Katrinka. He was holding a cute gray bear and stickers the ambulance crew had given him. I was praising God that nothing was broken , except for my 911 record.

I am thankful that Hallie shared this with me, God knew I'd need her this afternoon and it will surely bond us closer together. (Though I am not so sure we will ever top the "excitement" level at a first time sleepover again, at least I hope not ;-)!






And yes, I didn't get any pictures, though Hallie had said at one point, "Maybe we should take a picture." Guess I couldn't get my mind around it, as only post-hospital pictures were what took place. Some blogger I am, guess I need to work on my "mad blogging skills.

BTW everyone thought King Meemer was the cutest boy ever...nice manners and so handsome. To which I'd have to say, "Yup."



23 comments:

Nunnie's Attic said...

Kimmie,
Geez Louise! You maintained better than I would have. My son fell ON a trampoline and I could tell by the odd, crooked shape of his leg it was broken. I panicked and I climbed onto the trampoline, got him off and drove him to the hospital myself. BIG MISTAKE in moving a victim. God was definitely with you and I'm glad everything turned out alright.

Love,
Julie

Quinne said...

Oh, Kimmie! I am so glad that he is OK. That precious set of smiles at the end of the post are a joy! Love to you, Q

Christin said...

Ugh. Thank you Lord for the timely visit from your calming friend! God is so into details!

Debbie said...

Kimmie, sorry about your 911 record, but so glad the lad was okay. What adorable dimples!

Dawn said...

OUCH!!!!! He looks no worse for the wear, but OUCH!!!
d:)

javamamma said...

Glad your first (and maybe only?) 911 call wasn't any worse. Your little man looks like he rebounded quick. (Thank You Jesus) And thank God for friends to help stable us in the midst of crazy circumstances. Hope the little King heals up quick!

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

So glad he was ok.

I hope I have a friend with me if I ever have to call 911 for one of my little ones! So glad Hallie was there. (Again, glad for MANY reasons!) :) Love you both!

Foxy5 said...

Nothing like meeting up with an old friend... who has some skills! So happy that she was there for you. I"m sure that it was nice to have another person there in a situation like that.
Looks like your little guy enjoyed all of the fuss (after the pain ceased anyway) Proud of his ambulance ride? :) lets pray he doesn't go for a round 2 though. :)

Tracy said...

Yup, he is super cute! Glad he is okay.

Lovella ♥ said...

I know I shouldn't have been grinning through this post but it was terribly funny.
We regularly made trips to the ER with our two little lads. They were always in cohoots about one thing or another. The best picture I have in my mind is the oldest screaming in the house that the youngest (around 5) had just rode his two wheeler over a jump and it had split in two. Yup. True Story. They are both still alive. Good job mama.

Mrs. Guthrie said...

Glad he is ok!! Trips to the hospital are always scary!! It is awesome that your friend has EMT training... It comes in VERY handy when dealing with your own!!!

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

Oh, I'm so thankful nothing was broken! I was thinking all through this...God knew Hallie needed to be there... I am thankful for that!
And - he is so adorable!

randi said...

I am so glad your guy is fine! He is quite handsome---what a winning smile!

Webmaster said...

Bless his heart! Hope everything is all right!

Jenni said...

Oh WHAT a sweet sweet face. He really reminds me of my Toby. I'm so glad he's all right and that you had help in time of need!

Mycrazylife said...

Kimmie,

You did better in that situation than I ever could if it were at my house. Your sense of humor in the midst of the storm ROCKS my friend! I may have been calm, but I wasn't the one making King Meemer laugh whilst his wittle ankle was stuck in the mouth of the big yellow bike! Anyway, I'm grateful you think I helped. And I hope if there ever be another situation, God will place me right there beside you! ~Hallie

Bobbie-Jo said...

You're right, he is such a handsome little patient. I'm sure the nurses had a hard time not pinching and kissing those cheeks!

Amrita said...

I haven 't read your posts as the power will be going off in a few minutes, but i will later on. I will be posting stories about poor parents who had to take desperate measures to 'save ' their children.

Cahleen @ The Alt Story said...

Wow! I know that seeing your child scared and in pain is a hard thing for a mother. I don't know from personal experience yet, but I'll never forget the time when I was little and had to go to the emergency room for stitches. I started crying and screaming because I was afraid of getting a shot, and then my mother started crying so much that the doctors had to send her out of the room. Wow -- I guess I have a lot to look forward to! ;)

p.s. I am still planning on responding to the very sweet email you sent me!

Stacy said...

Oh my! Poor little buddy. But oh, an ambulance ride? Surely a HUGE highlight for a 5-year old boy. Not to mention the bear and stickers and cool "cast". :)

~Stacy

Julie said...

Wow, that is quite a story. I am glad all worked out OK.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad he is OK! What a trooper. Has he ridden anything since then? It's hard to get back on the horse...

Amrita said...

Glad to hear that King meemer is in one peice. He looks cute.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin