My Accident Prone Family

We’re used to Aunt Mar taking the occasional spill. That just comes with the territory when you’re in your nineties. We’ve just been really fortunate over the years that with three kids we’ve not had too many accidents. Our luck took a hit this week.

BUSTED CHIN. I have no idea how Nate did this, but Friday at school he was sitting down in his chair and missed the seat. On the way down he hit his head and then his chin, busting it open. The wound was deep enough the school nurse called Vicki. She was in town with Mom and Aunt Mar for Aunt Mar’s hair appointment so it took her a while to get out to school. The nurse kept Nate in her office until Vicki got there and I think Nate kept her entertained the whole time. Nate saw Dr. Saunders, the newest addition to the practice (whom he has renamed Dr. Joke because he was carrying on with a lot of jokes). They put some derma bond glue on his chin and sent him on his way.

BIKE WRECK. Last night marked the first Scout meeting of the year. Vicki and Jenna decided to come to White House with us for supper at Sonic and then to ride bikes along the Greenway while the boys and I were in Scouts. Jenna, who does not have a lot of biking experience, was a bit apprehensive but willing to try.

When we got to the school (White House Heritage Elementary) they unloaded and took off down the Greenway toward White House High School. They were going down that last hill as you approach Tryee Springs Road (which is pretty steep) when Jenna lost control of her bike by not braking hard enough and crashed into the side rail of the footbridge right where it makes that sharp turn. Fortunately this happened very close to the intersection with the road so I could easily get to them in the truck.

To make a long story short, after getting the boys from Scouts Mom met us at Pinson’s Crossroads so Vicki and Jenna could go on to the hospital and I could take the boys on home. Jenna has a gash under her chin which took seven stitches. She also has a severe sprain to her right wrist, and a small fracture in her right foot. We followed up with Dr. Cutright, an orthopedic specialist, today. He double checked the x-rays and agreed with the ER’s opinion. He said to wear the wrist splint until her wrist feels better and to wear a boot on her foot until a checkup in two weeks. Even after healing, I’m not sure she’ll be getting back on a bike anytime soon.

On the lighter side of this story, Vicki was filling out all the paperwork today at the doctor’s office when she got to a question that made her refer to Jenna for an answer. The question read something like, “When did you first become aware of your symptoms?” Jenna’s first response was, “When I hit the side of the bridge,” but then she corrected herself to say she was aware of her problems a few seconds before impact. You just have to find humor where you can.

Jenna is feeling much better now and seems to be more frustrated at her lack of mobility than anything else. Vicki has been dealing with guilt over this accident as anyone would. Jenna has wisely and sweetly told her mom to stop blaming herself which has really meant a lot to Vicki.

GRANDPARENT’S DAY. \Grandparent’s Day is an annual event at the elementary schools here and East Robertson celebrated yesterday by inviting grandparents for lunch. Mom was one of about 500 guests served in the school cafeteria. She ate with both Nate and Ben. There were so many people the boys said they hardly had time to eat. Vicki was one of the parent volunteers for the day.

Joe