Post-Op Day 26: Stitches

For once, it isn't be who's in the hospital; however, it breaks my heart to see Andrew's eye get trashed by the kitchen counter. I was in working on my computer when I heard a commotion. Then I heard Kate scream, "Dad!!" I knew it was bad due the sound of her voice. Something was wrong.


I ran (hobbled quickly) into the kitchen and Andrew has blood all over his face. Michele was calmly stopping the bleeding when I freaked out. Cool under pressure, especially when it comes to blood and pain, I am not. I put Andrew up on the counter and looked at his huge gash right on the eyebrow. I said, "Oh no... Andrew's beautiful face!!" I've always thought that Andrew had a model's face and I was terribly sad to see that he'll have a scar so prominent. Andrew was actually pretty calm but his dad was still shaken up and having trouble coping with the situation.

Michele and I took Andrew down to Scripps hospital in Encinitas. Of course the ER was packed and we had to wait a long time to get in. The staff gave Andrew a teddy bear that seemed to please Andrew immensely. He hugged that bear the whole time. Andrew was able to watch TV while the doctors prepared Andrew's cut for stitches. He was actually very happy.  I was glad I brought a book to read because I knew the wait would be long. The doctors put on a topical numbing cream and Andrew had no problem with the doctor's working around his eye. He was so calm. Andrew must get it from his dad. Michele was up on the bed holding his hand and adjusting the TV so that Andrew could relax. Again, I was so amazed at how well he did for a 3 year old. He would say "please" and "Thank you" to the nurses and doctors and they just loved him. The doctors put a blue sheet over his face and cut out an opening big enough to expose the wound. The doctor took the blue thread and started to sewn up his cut. The wound required 6 stitches. We got out of the ER after about 3 hours and drove home. Andrew actually fell asleep during the end of the procedure. I carried him out to the car. He was so sweet. He had a patch over his stitches and we ended up putting a patch on his bear to match Andrew. Andrew loved wearing his patch. He never cried after he got his stitches and is doing just fine. When I took him to school the next day, all four kids in his speech class ALL were banged up on the face. All but one had Band-Aids and the other kid had scabs on the right side of his face. The teachers were amazed to find all their kids totally worked over. It was quite the sight.