It had to happen sometime. You can't be that much of a full-speed-ahead tank without eventually popping something open that's supposed to stay shut. And so it was that today, Jonah fell on a rock at the playground and ended up with what the doctor would later call a "gaping hole" in his face. Fortunately, it was the underchin part of his face, so if he ends up with a scar, it won't be anywhere you can see unless he feels like showing you. Unless he ends up really tall.
I'm pleased to report that both Jonah and Mommy were extremely brave at the doctor's. The whole thing started (for me) when Obdulia called to say that he'd fallen and had kind of a big gash, but that he insisted that he wanted to keep on playing (he's tough like that). All seemed fine. When they got home, however, she took off the bandaid and discovered that it was really wide. We met at the doctor's, where he took one look at Jonah's face and pronounced him in need of 6-10 stitches. Egads!
Jonah went on mute the minute we got to the doctor's. He refused to answer any questions, and he refused to be cajoled. Once we settled in to read some books, however, and once he got a good look at the doctor's elephant tie (a Jonah favorite!), he warmed up enough to chirpily tell the story of how he fell on a rock at the playground and got a boo boo.
Here's how they do stitches on a 2 year old's face: First Mommy has to hold some gauze with a numbing liquid on it. Then they take the toddler and strap him to a board: arms to sides, and entire body in the world's strongest miracle blanket. It was basically the return of the Baby Jonah Burrito, which we hadn't seen in a very long time. Then the doctor gives him a shot of local anesthetic right on the cut (yikes!). Then the stitching commences.
My little Jonah was unbelievably, amazingly, ridiculously brave. This should come as no surprise to anyone who knew him through his vaccinations and other less than pleasant moments, but he really outdid himself. He wasn't wild about the needle and string going through his face, but he just can't resist a good sing-a-long or a bunch of silly questions. Soon he was laughing and singing and having a grand old time, even as we stitched him up. Because his skin cooperates as well as his body, he ended up needing only 4 stitches. The fourth was the bad one, though, I think because the anesthetic didn't quite reach the outer corner, because he screamed and struggled on that one. But as soon as it was done, he calmed right down, beamed, and announced, "All done!"
He was very excited at the idea of special ice cream dessert for his bravery.
And that was that. He has 4 stitches and a Garfield bandaid, and I didn't even need the shot of scotch that the doctor offered (I think he was kidding, but it was possible that I would've taken it. Hey, I wasn't driving.). I really can't even express how brave he was. It blew me (and the doctor and nurse) away.
In bed tonight, Jonah gave his bunny about 16 sets of stitches and bandaids. Each time, he announced, "Now bunny's all done! He feel all better! Now he get a treat!"
Awww, poor Jonah. I'm so proud at how brave BOTH of your were. :)
Posted by: Krista | March 26, 2008 at 08:33 AM