If you are here for quilting and craft inspiration, today is the day to skip this blog. However, if you can offer up any creative suggestions to simple daily tasks, offers of encouragement or prayers, please read on and leave a comment.
Wednesday afternoon I got a call from our youngest daughter, S. age 17. 20 minutes after starting a job of painting logos for a restaurant, a gust of wind caught her and had blown her and the ladder over. She landed on her wrists and head on the concrete. After the ambulance ride, the ER doctors, the 2 orthopedic doctors, the pediatric concussion specialist, and the orthopedic hand specialist, the results are a mild concussion, stitches in the forehead, severe whiplash, and two broken wrists. One wrist will heal in a cast for 3 months, the other, her dominate hand, will require surgery with plates and pins to get it back together, that is scheduled for later next week, ugh.
She has been a real trooper through it so far, not an easy thing for someone so independent. Such a drastic change from invincible to needing help opening a drink, packages of snacks, doors, seat belts, getting dressed and going to the bathroom. We are so thankful, it could have been so much worse, she could have gone through the window or backwards with no way to protect her head or break the fall. The wrists will heal. She will one day be back to playing the piano and painting. And one day, I won't be the hands for two people, I too, will be back to sewing and playing with fabric. Until then, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13"
Good Gracious! Sorry to hear about the 3 months in the cast...even more so about the surgery with plates and pins and such. How's she gonna get through school? BOY am I glad she did her talent thing already. Is O being sympathetic? Looks like there'll be lots of bonding between you two...even more than usual. Prayers, pity - you got it. Suggestions for daily things...love and humor are gonna be the best way to get through it, I think. Remind her that in about 50 years, she'll be doing all this for you! God Bless S and You! (does she do painting jobs like this normally, or was this a first time adventure? what restaurant?)
Posted by: sherry | October 22, 2011 at 08:33 PM
This wasn't a pity party at all -- it's a fact of life. I'm glad to read your daughter will be fine, and three months is really a short time if it leads to full recovery. I wish you many blessings and much patience as you help your daughter.
Posted by: Brenda | October 22, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Oh dear...Moms hurt when their children hurt. I will keep you and your sweet girl in my prayers and send warm and happy thoughts your way. On the flip side...it is a GREAT way to watch a lot of movies without feeling guilty!!
Posted by: angie | October 23, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Oh gosh, Juanita, this is just awful. I hope she heals quickly and as painlessly as possible. What a trooper! Your sewing will still be there once she's able to do more things for herself, but I know you will be missing it.
Posted by: Jamie | October 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
oh no!!! i broke my (dominant) wrist - pin screws, etc...physical therapy - the kind that really pushes you after surgery, is a real help - although painful. i hope all goes well!
Posted by: elizabeth | November 08, 2011 at 10:46 PM