Thursday night was the absolute worst night of my life. I was making dinner for the kids and Husband had just left for a guy’s night. I was pouring the boiling pot of water and pasta into the colander in the sink when the pot slipped and a huge splash went into the sink and right back out, splashing Ben (who was about 2 feet away). He slipped and fell face down into the puddle of water, and by the time I scooped him up the skin on his arm and chest was peeling off.
I just started saying “Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God” and stripped off his t-shirt, threw a towel over him and tried to call Husband.
No answer. Typical.
I couldn’t find my cell, so didn’t have anyone else’s numbers memorized.
I ran to the back of the house with Ben screaming the entire way to look for my phone and find my shoes so we could head to the ER. Sam ran behind us crying the whole way, completely naked and refusing to get dressed so we could go.
I tried Husband again-it rang and then went to voicemail. I called his parents (TG I was able to remember their number) and just started to freak out on the phone. I told them which ER I was going to and to meet me there.
I sat at Husband’s computer and looked up the number of his friend he was meeting, and called him. the damn phone kept hanging up so the poor guy only go half the story, but knew enough to just FIND Husband, and he ended up running out into the street and flagging him down when he pulled up (chatting on the phone, of course).
I had my shoes on, Sam was dressed but crying, Ben was still in his towel, and I couldn’t find my purse or the car keys (Husband had moved EVERYTHING, including my cell, and none of it was where I had left it). I tore around the house trying to find everything, and once it was located I shuffled the kids out the front door, locked it behind me, turned around….no car.
Husband had moved the car to the back of the house, and the gate had just been installed that day so I couldn’t just run around to the side. we had to go BACK inside, locate the damn gate remote (which dh had also moved), load the kids up in the car (trying to buckle Ben in without touching his burn was horrible) and my cell started to ring.
Husband: “What happened. How could this happen?”
not exactly what you want to hear…I dissolved into tears and just started sobbing. I felt so inadequate-I couldn’t even get my own kids into the car and to the ER. We were finally on the road and got to the ER. They took one look at his burn (the entire waiting room gasped) and whisked us back to start an IV and gave him morphine.
Husband showed up and apologized for his comments, and a little while later they debraded the wound and Ben was SO brave. He would flinch and suck in his breath, then look at me and whisper “I scared Mommy” or “‘dat hurts Mommy”.
they wrapped his chest up like a mummy (the burn is from his nipple to his diaper, and from his navel to his side. it’s about the size of my hand.)
I have to clean the wound three times a day and scrub off all the cream…please pray for us as we go through this! The first few cleanings went well, but this morning’s was horrendous. I was shaking like a leaf when it was finished and truly felt like I was going to pass out.
Afterwards Ben started to run a fever and I talked with the pediatric surgeon that we are set up to see on Monday and when he asked “Now, what happened?” I burst into tears. He probably thinks I’m losing it (maybe I am!).
We may or may not be admitted to the hospital for fluids and better pain management and wound care. Honestly, I’d rather go there right this second, just to know that someone else who actually knows what they are doing will be in charge. But for now, we watch and wait and hope he continues to be energetic and heals.
Just wanted to let you all know what was going on. And PLEASE-have a list of numbers by the phone. Not for the sitter, but for YOU! Husband has apologized a million times over for not answering my call (I’ve gotten on his case before about being hard to reach) and for moving all of my stuff (this is an ongoing issue-sadly, I think he’s learned a lesson).
One last thing-if your child is ever burned the ER dr said we should put saran wrap on the wound. it keeps the air from hitting it and making it hurt as bad, keeps it clean, and doesn’t leave debris behind like the towel I grabbed did.
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13 Comments
Jen,
I just feel sick to my stomach. I am so sorry and goodness it can happen to ANYONE and so quickly. Again SO sorry and praying for you all.
love,
Mandy
Oh Sweetie, I’m SO SO SO sorry!!! You and Ben and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Jen!
I read about this over on babycenter and I am SO sorry that you all have to go through this. I am thinking positively that Ben will heal completely and that you can have some peace of mind. You are a great mommy and you did all of the right things!
Take care and keep us updated over at babycenter.
Bless you. I pray things get easier for you as you deal with these issues.
~Shannon
http://www.caringbridge.org/tx/ethantf
Breaking my heart!!! So sad. Sounds like you are having a little PTSD. My friend went through something like this with her daughter last year…not a burn but she fell out of a third story window…she was losing it too. My prayers are with you. What a horrendous thing to endure. You are a good mother, a good person, this is just something that could happen to anyone, especially in our house when we love pasta so much! When you said you wish that they would just let him go to the hospital, I totally felt what you meant…when you described having to clean his burn…man, I would want my kid in the hospital too! Hang in there Jen, and keep us up to date on his progress. Sending much love your way…
Jen, I was checking the blog to see if you’d posted a pic of Jack (which you did!) and saw your update. Steve and I are SO sorry for what your family and poor little Ben are going through. Our prayers are with you all for a speedy recovery. Hang in there!!
Jennifer,
Tears come to my eyes as I read this. We pray that this week will go well for you and that Ben will start to feel better soon. If there is anything at all we can do for you please let us know.
Robin Semadeni
Bad things happen to good Mothers and their children. I’m praying for Ben’s recovery and also for you to have some peace of mind through all this. Bless your hear and thanks for sharing what you’ve learned from this experience.
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.”
I’m a total lurker on your blog, but I just wanted to say that I’m sorry this happened to you and your little guy… So easy to happen, so innocent a mistake, don’t be hard on yourself, just channel your energy into helping little Ben feel better! I feel so bad that you have to go through this. It will get better!!!
OMG. I’ve been away for a week and I’ve just returned home to read this. I have tears running down my cheeks thinking about what you must have felt like. I’m so deeply, deeply sorry this has happened to your baby and you. I know accidents happen but I also know what it feels like to be the mommy when they do. I’m so, so sorry. I am praying for you.
I feel so terrible for you and your sweet boy during all of this.
Will be praying for you all as you deal with this burn.
God bless you.
I’ve had to deal with a burn before. My oldest daughter got a burn on her leg — it wasn’t quite as big as your sons but I know how hard it is getting all that cream off and putting more on.
I know somewhat how you feel. My son had walked into my bathroom one morning-he didn’t even touch my curling iron but for some reason the thing fell and landed on his hand. it left the worst burn-I cried everytime I looked at it. he wasn’t but 18 months old.
He has a little scar on his hand now-hopefully as he grows it’ll become less noticeable. His wasn’t bad enough to need medical attention.
You’re in my thoughts. I’m so sorry this happened. I agree that bad things happen to great parents, but I know it’s no consolation.
glad to read the follow up that healing is going well. Hang in there.