I’ve always been bothered by those signs in factories or industrial work zones that read, “This site has been accident-free for X days.” If the number is really low, then everyone who sees it wonders what had just happened. If the number is high, then it seems like disaster is about to strike any second now.
If we had one of those signs at our house on Jan. 19, it would have read: “This daughter has been accident-free for 1,105 days.”
The next day: “This daughter has been accident-free for 0 days.”
Throughout our entire lives, neither my wife nor I have ever broken a bone (knocking on some wood even as I type this). Sadly, we cannot say this about our daughter, Aria, who just turned 3 Jan. 8.
During our bedtime routine last Saturday, my wife, Jess, was reading the kids’ their bedtime story. Usually, this is a family affair — with both kids and both parents participating. On this night, I had dozed off — exhausted from several assignments earlier that day and one the night before. Jess generously offered to do bedtime on her own, allowing me to stay in bed. We had planned to have a parents’ date later in the evening — take out and a movie.
She took the kids into our son Lyric’s room and began the story. After a few minutes, Aria began to scoot herself to the edge of the bed; she wanted to get down to tell me something. But, she scooted one inch too far and fell backward, landing awkwardly on her shoulder.
It is true that parents can discern even the most minute of nuances in their children’s cry. This one was distinctively different and rattled me from my half-asleep state. In the seconds it took me to jump out of bed, Jess already had Aria in her arms.
She writhed in pain as heavy tears chased one another down her cheeks. She wouldn’t let either of us anywhere near her shoulder area.
The next minute is blurry — much like the early morning when Jess’ water broke almost six weeks before her due date with our son. Before I knew it, Jess had her keys in hand, purse over her shoulder and Aria strapped into the car. We decided I would stay home with Lyric to keep him settled.
After finishing his bedtime routine, I suddenly found the house empty and deafeningly quiet. I couldn’t sit still. I paced. I picked up toys. I paced. I picked up more toys. I grabbed the iPad and began my own diagnosis. (After all, an Internet connection makes anyone a qualified physician, right?) I waited with my phone in hand for a report from Jess.
Finally, the first text came through: “Tests. I’ve been holding her until now. They just took X-rays. She’s in a lot of pain.”
The ER doctor confirmed Aria had fractured her collarbone, which, according to my Googling, is a common injury among preschool-age children. The ER sent Aria home on ibuprofen and with a referral to a pediatric orthopedic specialist.
Jess phoned me as they left the ER, and I stood outside to wait for their arrival.
Much to my surprise, Aria was in good spirits — even smiling. She happily showed me the special bear they gave her at the ER, and Jess told me the doctors had given her a blue slushie as a treat. Aria showed off her blue tongue, which matched the blue sling that now held her left arm.
And, because of the blue slushie, she proclaimed: “I’m all better now. My boo-boo is gone.”
If only.
Today, four days after our first ER trip as parents, Aria seems to be recovering just fine. The specialist said in four weeks, it likely would be impossible to tell which collarbone had been broken. Aria has amazed us by her ability to accomplish everyday tasks — such as climbing into her seat at the dining table or pulling up her pants — with only the use of her right arm and hand.
This morning, Aria even returned to her preschool, with her arm tucked securely in her sling. She was thrilled to go back — she was done with reruns of “Team Umizoomi” and “The Fresh Beat Band” — done with the couch.
As one of my friends told me, these accidents always are more traumatic for the parents than the child. And as my stepmother said, “Now, she’ll have a good story to tell when she’s older.”
Dad, remember that time I broke my collarbone, and you were fast asleep?