Lucy, Please Stop Calling Me - Part 2

Back to our regularly scheduled program......click here for Part 1 of my "Lucy" story.

Part 2

So, after Ben jammed his finger at school last Monday, we headed to the hospital for x-rays that same evening. We were told that we wouldn't have the results for about 24 hours. I allowed Ben to stay home from school on Tuesday until we got the x-ray results back. He probably could have went to school but his finger was still very swollen and he couldn't bend it.

Big mistake.

As many of you probably know, when your child stays home from school either sick or injured, the sickness or injury usually does not stop that child from doing what they normally do - play. And if your child is anything like mine, they play HARD. Especially my son. I think it's a boy thing.

Anyway, I tried my best to help Ben understand that his finger may very well be broke and that it would be best if he did something that didn't require: a) him jumping on furniture; b) him chasing his sister through the house; and/or c) him being NOT quiet.

So, I strongly suggested that Ben do something a little less rambunctious, like taking a nap. When I realized that wasn't going to happen, I suggested that he sit down and QUIETLY read a book. I mean really, how am I supposed to waste my day away visiting my blog friends with all of this chaos swirling around me?

I don't do chaos.

So what did Ben do? I can tell you he didn't sit down and quietly read a book, that much I know.

Remember the chaos that I am not a fan of? Yeah, read on.

Ben decides that, with a potentially broken finger and all, it would be a splendid idea to stack up the couch cushions in the basement and then proceed to climb up the cushions like a rock climbing wall.

Huh? That is so not sitting quietly and reading a book.

Next thing I know, Ali is running upstairs saying that Ben "scratched" himself. My first reaction was "That's what happens when you don't listen to me, the Mom, who knows everything - including that (when in doubt) sitting and quietly reading a book is always the best choice."

So, Ben comes upstairs crying, holding his arm. At first, I didn't have much sympathy. After all, I told him to settle down, what with the whole broken finger thing.

After close inspection of his "scratch," I realized at that moment that I should have sent him to school. His "scratch" was actually three deep cuts on the inside of his left arm. His "broken" finger was also on his left hand. Apparently, when climbing his "rock wall," he fell off and then landed on his hand/arm on the edge of a furnace vent.

This child is going to give me gray hair. OK, more gray hair.

So, Ben's arm is now bleeding and he is crying and saying "I'm sorry Mommy, I'm sorry!" Two of the three cuts were pretty deep and because of the location, I started to freak out for a moment. I tried calling Ray at work but he didn't answer. Then I thought about calling 911. All the time, Ben is still crying, still apologizing and holding Ali's hand while I am trying to stop the bleeding.

And as quickly as it all began, the bleeding suddenly stopped. Thank you, God, for miracles.

Remember the chaos thing? I'm not sure but I think calling 911 and having an ambulance come to my house qualifies as chaos. I'm just guessing.

So, I made an executive decision and decided to take Ben right back to the same doctor from the day before, the one who handled Ben's finger situation. For those of you keeping track, this was our second visit to the same doctor, for the same child in less than 24 hours.

De ja vu, anyone?

Good thing I took him in because he did end up needing stitches. He was really scared but he handled it like a trooper, with only a few tears shed. I was so proud of him.

However, if the past two days weren't bad enough, the doctor started giving me attitude. He told me that even if Ben's finger was broke, he could have went to school. Well, excuuuuuse me! Who asked you anyway, doc? Seriously, my son has been injured twice within a 24 hour period, I have taken him to the doctor's office twice and the hospital once and now you are questioning my parenting decisions. Back off! I told him it was my decision whether to send Ben to school or not. The nerve of some people. He may be the doctor but I'm the Mom.

Can I get a woo hoo?

The good news, Ben's finger is not broke. He went back to school on Wednesday, sporting a nifty banged up pinky finger and 3 stitches in his left arm, which he was very excited to show his friends.

The bad news, all of the adrenaline induced chaos wiped me out and I spent the remainder of last week recovery from Ben's injuries by visiting my blog friends and napping.

I know. But at least this time I had an excuse.