Bloody Murder

Kids are far more resilient than you think. Erica got 5 stitches in her right index finger last night, compliments of a sharp edge on a lightswitch cover. Something I would have never imagined would be a hazard, even though I had also felt it's sharp edge once or twice. It never dawned on me that she would, for any reason, put her fingers on the top edge of it and cut open her finger. Mark called me at the bowling alley to tell me they were on the way to the ER. If there is anyone who knows when stitches are required, it would be him. While we were waiting for the next nurse to come by, he listed the many places he has received stitches.... ear, chin, eyebrow, on and on. Erica was surprisingly good, and since Mark had told her on the way over what would happen, she was, although scared, aware of the procedure. However, it didn't prepare any of us for the needle in the finger part, to numb it for the stitching. She screamed, as she put it, bloody murder. But it was all over in a second, and she was calm while the dr. put 5 blue butterflies in her finger. She told the nurses to tell her all of what they were going to do - that's my girl, totally informed! She knew what to expect, although it took so long and each minute added to her anxiety. What is it that takes so long at the ER?????? She did really well, and of course, asked if she could "have something" since she was so good. Well, how can you refuse a kid who just went through all that? I'm sure the Hannah Montana doll will find it's way into our house.

This morning, she was just as sunny as usual, and went to school without a fuss. She won't be able to write or color for a while, but she will make a terrific teacher's helper. I'm glad that her homework was already finished........