Saturday, June 6, 2009

Terrifying.

First, we're o.k.. We're gonna be just fine. I'm very sore and very shaken, nasty abrasions and bruises, but nothing broken. Caroline has a few small scrapes and was very scared and upset, but seems o.k. now.

We were having a nice day, mostly relaxing with Katie and Abby in their hotel room. I did some sermon practice for my preaching tomorrow. We talked and nursed and yeah, it was good. I lost track of time and ended up behind schedule for meeting up with another good friend. I thought our meeting point was closer than it was and knew I'd have to move quickly in order to not be insultingly late. I opted for putting Caroline in the Bjorn because she LOVES walks in the bjorn. I slathered her with sun screen, then me too, put her adorable hat on her, gathered up her diaper bag, the camera, my purse, and off we went. Moving as fast as we could. I tried to take a short cut through campus, but ended up not where I thought I would- not shortening things much at all. But moved, moved, moved. We were getting closer to our destination when it happened. I wasn't running or being especially careless, but the edge of my sandal hooked on a piece of uneven sidewalk and I started to lose my balance, I thought I could fix it, but no... we went crashing down. I guess I nobly protected my girl, bearing the brunt of the fall on my elbows and knees, but she started screaming immediately and I started weeping. We were a mess heaped on the sidewalk. And I saw blood. And I didn't know if it was hers or mine. If I had been thinking straight I would have taken her right out of the bjorn and checked her from head to toe, then put her on the breast right away, but I was beside myself with fear. I called Katie and she assured me she was getting in a cab and coming to me. And then a few minutes later some strangers pulled over. Apparently they had passed me once and the woman in the vehicle realized there was a woman and baby on the ground and insisted they return. She checked out Caroline and assured me she was fine. She said something like "What she needs is for you to calm down. Everything is going to be fine." I took her out of the bjorn and handed her to her, and then they showed me that the blood on Caroline was mine and indicated that I had some nastiness on my elbows and I could see my knees. Later she said "This may sound awful, but you need I didn't especially hurt then. I was too afraid. She was crying, hard. And nothing seemed to soothe her. I put her on the breast and that sort of helped, I calmed down a bit. But when Katie arrived I fell apart again. She indicated that the friend I was on the way to meet was also on her way. And in the meantime I had called Kevin and he was on the way. I nursed Caroline a fair bit, right there on the side of the road- so much for modesty! And when Melissa got there she tried walking with her. But I could hear her crying hard, and asked for her back. When Kev arrived I lost it again. I felt so foolish, and embarrassed, and by now I was hurting... pretty badly. My elbow appeared to be swelling. At first I thought I wouldn't need the hospital, but... we were within walking distance of the hospital at my school. So, we walked. I carried Caroline. Kevin, Katie, and Abby went back to the hotel for some necessary things. And then they all met us at the hospital.

The initial care at the hospital was so-so. The good news was that using my student insurance there was no immediate expense incurred. When I finally got a bed in the E.R. it was in a hallway. And Kev tried to come in with me, but they said he couldn't. Actually, Caroline couldn't. But they didn't make that clear to him and I had no way of communicating with him after they made that clear to me. So I sat, alone, on a gurney, for what felt like too long. Somebody took an inventory of my property right away, but then nothing. No nurses or doctors said anything to me. Finally a nurse walked by and I said "Could you please find out when I will be seen? And could someone please explain to my husband that he is allowed in here, but my daughter is not, and please ask him to leave her with someone for just a moment and come in here?" So she indicated that I should be seen soon, after the person in the room across from me was discharged. And she or someone went to the family waiting room for Kev and he came in shortly thereafter. It was a terrible feeling- sitting alone on that gurney- no way to communicate with people- knowing my distressed baby was outside. She had calmed a bit- someone gave her a popsicle- our girl loves popsicles. But still... all my people were out there, and I was stuck in there, not even receiving care. It sucked.

Kev came in and I suggested someone he might call to help with Caroline and sent him out with my phone and her number. It turned out there was someone in the waiting room for whom a nurse could vouch who was willing to help. And Katie would be right there. So he came to be with me, right about the time I was finally seen. When I was seen the care was thorough and efficient and compassionate. I eventually asked a nurse if there was anyway my baby could come in to nurse. I could periodically hear a baby screaming and it was breaking my heart.

A little while later they got me into a room, a more comfortable bed, and they let Kev bring Caroline in, just to nurse. She laid down with me and nursed and fell asleep quickly. And then just as the x-ray guy came in (in-room x-rays? wow. i didn't know that was possible) he was on his way out with her. They x-rayed the elbow and knee that hurt the most internally. They gave me some ibuprofen. They gave me a tetanus shot (I think they did that when Caroline was still there! See Caroline, mommy gets shots too. Unfortunately.) And then I waited for the results. At this point Kev was out with Katie, Abby, and Caroline. The friend he had called was out of town and I didn't want Katie to be on her own. I felt better in the room, and under the care of folks. Katie offered to nurse Caroline when she woke up again, which was a huge relief to me. Haddon arrived and made arrangements to get Katie, Abby, Caroline, and him back to the hotel by cab.

But I was discharged with the word that nothing was broken, abrasions were the worst of it, and that was that, before they even got into the cab.

So, we're home now. And I have to preach tomorrow. And writing it out has strangely calmed me. It felt very, very lonely and scary. It didn't feel like there were a lot of people we could call for help. So many of our friends are away at the moment. Though I am TREMENDOUSLY grateful for Katie's presence and fast response and all she offered. And Melissa's presence through some of the worst of it too. Thank you! And of course Kevin was wonderful.

But... crap. I tripped and fell on concrete while wearing my baby. This is WAY worse than dropping her out of the rocking chair. WAY WORSE. I feel awful about it.

Sure I protected her, but... wow. This is just lousy.

And I hurt to boot.

And I have to preach tomorrow.

And preside at communion.

For a bunch of people I don't know.

And yes, I'll stop whining now. I am grateful that she is o.k., and that I basically am too. I'm just still shaken up. And feel badly about putting a blemish on several people's day.

It was terrifying. Just awful.

Thanks for your prayers in advance.

15 comments:

Wendy said...

oh Sarah!!! how awful-i feel so terrible!! i had just hopped back on to comment on your beautiful baptism addendum, and saw this brand-new post!
you poor guys! thank god you did have Kevin and friends there, and thank god Caroline is fine....But I am crying just reading this-and ironically right after raving about our baby bjorns!
Prayers of thanks that you are both "okay", and that you get through your day fine tomorrow!
Love, W

KnittinPreacher said...

Oh dear one. I know the scary "in the ER alone feelings." It was an accident - you could not have prevented it, and your instincts were good.

Take a deep breath. Snuggle with C and K. You will be OK.

Prayers for tomorrow -that the shock is lessened by sleep, that the advil does it's job while you need it to, and that you preach beautifully.

(((hugs)))

Magdalene6127 said...

Oh sweetie... praying for you all. I hope you are having a peaceful night of rest now.

Shalom said...

Oh, friend - how frightening and overwhelming and painful, to boot. Will definitely be praying for you tomorrow. All manner of thing shall be well.

Jon said...

That's a terrifying feeling. I'm glad that after it was all over there were no serious breaks or wounds.

LittleMary said...

oh sweetheart. just reading it all right now. it just sounds awful. and i am so glad katie and haddon were there and that kevin is such a tremendous partner. you aren't alone you know. god has your back, really.

Heidi Haverkamp said...

I'm so glad you all are ok. What a great support system - thank goodness Haddon and Katie were there with you and Kevin. You're a great mom, Sarah - it just sounds like you were in shock there, at the beginning. You did great, considering!

I hope your preaching and communion leadership goes well - you'll be great! Thinking of you, Kevin, and your baby girl...

Unknown said...

As a witness, let me say to the world: Sarah was an AMAZING Mom in a scary situation, and any cuts and bruises on her body can be seen as concrete proof of the way she throws herself in between harm and Caroline!

One of the images I think we'll laugh about (eventually) is the rather pathetic sight we made there on the sidewalk, two young tearful mothers down on the sidewalk with crying infants, looking bewildered!!

I'm just kicking myself for not nursing Caroline sooner myself as Kev & I sat in that miserable crowded ER waiting room with the two crying babies. Sarah and I have talked about breast-feeding all weekend long, and then her hungry baby is right in front of me, and I was worried about what germs or bad diet patterns I'd be passing along!?!

This mother-instinct stuff is strong...sometimes I feel like it makes us think with amazing clarity, but other times I just feel like it makes me stupid! ;)

Anyway, Sarah, you're an amazing mother and friend, and I'm so glad it all worked out in the end. Abby and I are excited to come see you preach in an hour or so!

Silent said...

((Sarah)) Hope you are feeling better today!

Jules said...

Oh you poor dears. So glad you are recovering.

Sherry Mc said...

Oh Sarah!! Oh Caroline!!!! I remember reading once that our babies survived in spite of us. Hope the cuts and scrapes weren't too bad and hope your day went well today. Love, GAS

Sarah S-D said...

thanks all! especially katie, for your kind words, your presence, your milk- EVERYTHING! survived worship, had a nice early afternoon saying goodbye to the G-K fam (good pics to follow), and then we came back and i crashed. i was basically in bed for 15 straight hours. i am more stiff and sore today than yesterday, but the rest was helpful. planning as low key a week as possible. no preaching next sunday, minimal obligations. though if any one reading this is in the nashville area and has some spare time this week in which they'd like to play with an adorable baby or keep a mommy company, you are ALWAYS welcome, but this week you are ESPECIALLY welcome.

jsd said...

I'm very glad to hear that you are both ok. ((Sarah))

Kathryn said...

Oh Sarah...Horrid thing to happen - equivalent to the day I fell downstairs with Lucinda when she was, i guess, 5 months old.
And I felt so wretchedly guilty tho she was fine (& I only twisted my ankle) and...you know what?.............I'd actually completely forgotten the whole incident til reading this.
So things get better & Caroline will be fine & you are a great mummy.
Praying for all of you, for space & calm & restoration xxx

Lotus said...

Hugs for you and Caroline. I still stop breathing when the kids have an accident, then I go into first aid mode. Andy's first cut, on his face from a toy, just tore me apart. Praising God for the comfort of friends, family, and the kindness of perfect strangers. I hope that everything continues to heal and that you and Caroline are out and about again soon.