What would you take to the ER with you?
Well this gives you one hint as to what I took to the urgent care center. Walsh was pretty brave even in a lot of pain.
So we were on top of our day yesterday. The school projects were done. We had been to the conferences. We had bought party supplies for Lilina’s party so I said let’s go to the park and get some exercise.
Walsh rode ahead of me on his bike and headed to his favorite bike trail toward the back of the park. The trail is of course a big windy hill. I was walking behind with the girls. Long story short, he fell and hurt his leg.
Luckily we had several friends at the park who could help me. So one school friend’s dad stayed with Walsh at the bottom of the hill, another friend stayed with the girls on the playground while I ran to get the car. I called the pediatrician while going to get the car and the doctors were all gone but the nurse answered and told me which urgent care place they liked. It was very close, affiliated with the local hospital and they had an X-ray machine.
So I bring the van back and park close to the back fields. I carry Walsh up the hill (I had to stop a couple of times. He was heavy and yelling because it hurt any time the leg got jostled.) The friend’s dad carried his bike and our other friend got the girls to the car for me.
I drove home to get my purse and grabbed just a few things I thought we would need while waiting.
What would you grab heading to the ER or urgent care with kids?
Walsh did end up having a broken leg – a spiral fracture of the tibia. An orthopedist looks at the X-ray from home and doesn’t think he’ll need surgery but he is in a lot of pain. We’re supposed to call them today to find out when they can put a cast on it.
Here’s my list of what I grabbed to go the ER: Tylenol to give to Walsh for the pain and an ice pack, purse with insurance card and money of course, water bottles for all, granola bars because who knows how long you’re going to have to wait and it’s was 5:45 p.m., magazines off the table, iPod and and iPad.
All the items worked out great. They actually took us very fast. He was X-rayed and diagnosed within an hour and they started pain medication right after that. We were home in 2.5 hours, which I thought was pretty darn good.
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89 comments Add your comment
Observer
February 28th, 2013
10:46 pm
The best thing I learned to take to the ER, a cool head and calm nerves. Glad Walsh is well and recovering. TWG, best to you as well. You always do your best as a mom and put it all out there. I appreciate and respect that.
ert
March 1st, 2013
8:03 am
The patient, my driver’s license/ID, and my insurance card. What more could you possibly need in an EMERGENCY?????
ert
March 1st, 2013
8:14 am
Oh, yes, and the phone. Every time there’s an emergency, I wonder how we ever handled them before cell phones!
irisheyes
March 1st, 2013
8:34 am
I had to take Baby Girl to CHOA last fall for a broken collarbone. I took lots of snacks, her cup, my phone, and the insurance info, her pacifier, and her stuffed animal. We were in and out in two hours.
FCM
March 1st, 2013
8:38 am
@ homeschooler…I have 13 & 10. I leave them both sometimes to go to the grocery store. They have certain rules (no answering the door/don’t go outside ect) and at least 3 contact numbers to call besides my cell. Of course the overprotective dog is there too.
Now sometimes the 13 wants to go with me but 10 doesn’t. Is 10 ok to stay home for say an hour or less? 10 is a handful b/c of ADHD but is showing responsibility and I need to understand when it would be ok to let her try.
FCM
March 1st, 2013
8:45 am
@ those arguing with Bernine….understand that you are giving LOGIC to someone who wants to deal only with EMOTION.
Thus you will always be at an impass.
catlady
March 1st, 2013
8:52 am
Is Walsh using an ipad in the picture?!?
Uh, catlady...
March 1st, 2013
9:06 am
…T answered your question in her article…”Here’s my list of what I grabbed to go the ER: Tylenol to give to Walsh for the pain and an ice pack, purse with insurance card and money of course, water bottles for all, granola bars because who knows how long you’re going to have to wait and it’s was 5:45 p.m., magazines off the table, iPod and and iPad.”
homeschooler
March 1st, 2013
9:19 am
@ FCM. The “policy” says 9 can stay alone for short periods so I would think you would be fine to leave your 10 yr old and it would be good for her. As long as she knows the rules, knows to dial 911 in an emergency etc.. The police and DFCS try to use common sense in these situations. Parents just need to also. Some will leave a 13 yr old ADD child with severe behavior problems to care for a baby and try to say that the”law” says a 13 yr old can babysit. Sometimes we have 11 yr olds who are incredibly responsible and they might be left alone after school for 30 minutes with a 5 or 6 yr old sibling until a parent gets home. That might be determined to be okay despite it not being within the policy. No one HAS to stick to the guidelines but they are there to help when people are not using common sense.
I have a 12 yr old boy and a 9 yr old girl. I leave them both together for short periods with the idea that each is responsible for him/herself. My family members live on our same property so, that helps. The kids get the “feel” of being alone with me having the comfort of knowing someone is right next door if needed.
The first babysitter...
March 1st, 2013
9:28 am
…for my 4 month old was 12 years old – she is now 39, so that means my baby is now 27 – shoot, that means that I am old…
a_mom
March 1st, 2013
9:28 am
@Mayhem – You are so lucky to live in a neighborhood that pulls together like that. My child was in CHOA with a life-threatening illness for 19 days. I had family fly in to help with my other child while I stayed at the hospital, but she left when we came home. Even after being discharged, we had long months where I woke up every hour or two to make sure she was still breathing through the night. Not a single neighbor – not even the ones whose children played with mine daily, nor the Sunday school teacher next door – not a single one brought over so much as a spaghetti casserole or offered to let my healthy child play at their house so my sick one could nap in quiet. And yes, I’ve always been a friendly neighbor to them and to their kids (they play at my house, I give popsicles, etc.). It was an eye-opener for me about where I live (a nice subdivision). If I wouildn’t lose $60K by selling, I’d move in a heartbeat. The most important thing, though, is that my child recovered and I thank God daily for that!
Becky
March 1st, 2013
9:30 am
@ert..We handled them prior to cell phones with something called a pay phone..You do know what those are don’t you? We had quiet a few of those back in the day..
motherjanegoose
March 1st, 2013
9:46 am
@a_mom…how horrible. We always pull together and help one another. Some people are very self centered. Sad for you.
Bernie
March 1st, 2013
11:32 am
FCM @ 8:45 am – Tell that to ALL of the MILLIONS of Georgia’s Children and their Parents who go to sleep every Night without Healthcare Coverage. To All the MOM’s and Dads who shake in fear at the sign of a sneeze and/or a seeming discomfort of their child, all the time hoping and praying medical attention is not required. those who do not care and have INDIFFERENCE toward this subjet is Hee who is without Compassion or Sound emotion.
Bernie
March 1st, 2013
11:38 am
correction:
FCM @ 8:45 am – Tell that to ALL of the MILLIONS of Georgia’s Children and their Parents who go to sleep every Night without Healthcare Coverage. To All the MOM’s and Dads who shake in fear at the sign of a sneeze and/or a seeming discomfort of their child, all the time hoping and praying medical attention is not required. those who do not care and have INDIFFERENCE toward this subject is He who is without Compassion or Sound emotion.
DH
March 1st, 2013
11:56 am
My kid. That’s it.
catlady
March 1st, 2013
12:52 pm
Uh, “Uh, Catlady” silly me, I thought the technology was to keep the little one quiet. Did not know it was for the injured.
Becky
March 1st, 2013
1:10 pm
@a_mom..Sorry about that..I don’t know all of the people that live in my subdivision, but the ones that I know would help me out in a heart beat..I guess that I am lucky enough that I have a lot of family within a 25 miles radius of me, so I always have someone that can help out..
I am always the one that cooks something and takes to the sick folks.Last year, when out preacher and his wife both had surgery a couple days apart, I cooked for them every other day and took food over.. Some might make fun of me, but for me, this is my southern roots showing..
FCM
March 1st, 2013
4:37 pm
@homeschool thank you I will let her try.
@ Bernie Again you used lots of adjectives that were designed to stir emotions:shake in fear, hoping and praying, INDIFFERENCE, Compassion.
Thus the impass…I can put bold on emotional words too if it helps,, but it won’t.
So for the humor of the regulars:
THEFT from HARD EARNED pay to support EXTRA children (regardless of health) because it is required from a SOULESS government who is 16 Trillion dollars in debt.
COMPASSION,the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others, would get me to HELP or contribute to CHARITABLE organizations to help with the indigent. Those that I know do manage the funds and get the help to people.
I know that many people who work have SCALED BACK their contributions to because the government is FORCING them to pay into the government solutions.
FCM, way...
March 1st, 2013
4:45 pm
…to go, Idaho…
Google "NEA" and "union"
March 1st, 2013
5:28 pm
Well, I guess I’d take a smartphone like most people.
Hey Theresa, hope you won’t mind too much if I park here a comment left earlier on the Get Schooled blog. The moderator there hates dissenting opinions and so often delays or blocks me—as she did today. The issue discussed was state legislation affecting our schools. Anyway here’s the banned comment:
“Do a Google search on “NEA” and “donations” to see which Democrats are receiving money from the anti-reform, anti-choice National Education Association. Or just click on the link below:
ref: http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000064
Kat
March 1st, 2013
6:53 pm
Sounds like she did the best she could at the time. And, IF something had happened to the five-year-old while in the older child’s care, how bad would that have been to have that worry in your head as well. To all of those who are saying – why did you grab anything and not just get the heck out of there, this is why: 1) Hospital ERs have vending machines with few “good” choices – and usually non-working 2) She called her pediatrician’s office first 3) She picked up things that would make her son feel better during (what can be) an incredible wait in the ER, which forces you to think about pain, discomfort and so on. 4) Doctors will ask what, if anything, the child has taken – such as Tylenol OR the mom would tell him/her
For a broken bone, lightning fast speed is not what is important. Keeping the child calm is. Get his favorite stuff and put your stuffed animals in the wash when you get home. Does anyone think that Theresa would not be conscientious of this? It wasn’t a heart attack or stroke where speed is of the essence.
Bernie
March 2nd, 2013
12:45 am
FCM @ 4:37 pm – To you LITTLE HORN, who prowl around to protect the evil one and spread Death & destruction on the most innocent and defensless ones among us. You have been quite busy in America lately and you managed to reach a lot of powerful and influential people in our Government. I say to you, Your time will not reign for long. The Children, The handicapped, The Shut in and the mentally disabled will recieve the Medical Care they deserve and there is nothing you can do to STOP IT! Nothing at ALL!
Your attempts have failed many times before, despite the gathering of your many soldiers in arms.
Many are praying for your quick demise on behalf of the most innocent among US!
Fred ™
March 2nd, 2013
11:11 am
Bernie: Preach it brother. The over privileged have no clue of concern for those not born with a silver spoon up their ass. Their one size fits all answer: Don’t have kids if you can’t afford them” is as stupid as it is cruel and heartless. Kids don’t have a choice who their parents are and not all kids were smart enough to be born to decent families.
Keep preaching the truth. Just wanted to give you some support on your UNPOPULAR (to the tuppie crowd here) message. Remember, they voter for that thief Nathan Deal and as such they love him. If they can over look his thievery, they can over look everything else. As long as Rush or Herman or FOX say it, it’s truth………
Uh, Fred...
March 2nd, 2013
12:13 pm
…please go back to Jay’s blog where someone might, MIGHT, agree with you…if Jay says it, then you believe it.. and if Obuma says it, you believe it…
Try thinking for yourself sometime – oh, that’s right, you are a moocher who depends on others in order for you to live your miserable life…selah…
Fred ™
March 2nd, 2013
12:25 pm
Hush no name. Adults are talking, not people who lack the courage to even use a screen name.
When you can pay my daughter’s tuition to Woodward, my wife PhD at Vanderbilt and my tax bill THEN speak about moochers.
Why do you have to lie? Is your truth so miserable that all you can do it lie? Liars are so pathetic.
Wow, Fred...
March 2nd, 2013
4:09 pm
…are your mooching feelings hurt? – poor, poor (well, maybe not poor in the money sense, but poor in the sense of knowing anything of real value), pitiful (emphasis on pitiful) Fwed…
And, Fwed...
March 2nd, 2013
4:16 pm
…I don’t have to lie – I am unemployed, have been for the past 2+ years, and have not received one dime from the “guvmint”as I am living off my investments since my two younguns are out of college and in the work force supporting themselves…and I will see your wife’s PhD from Vandy, and your youngun’s Woodward bill, and still call you a moocher since it appears they are supporting you…as usual, one of the moochers with his hand in someone else’s pocket…bet if you put your hand in your own pocket you would feel nuts…
mom2alex&max
March 2nd, 2013
9:34 pm
Bernie, you are wasting your time. The bourgeois will NEVER understand the world the uninsured live in. They cannot comprehend and refuse to believe the very real fact that people in this country surely die due to lack of health insurance. No matter what you tell them, no matter how many facts you show them, they refuse to believe it. They don’t believe that people can and do end up destitute while dealing with a serious illness. They refuse to admit that hospitals deny life-saving procedures every day.
For what it is worth, I know exactly what you mean and I agree with you 100%
The bourgeois?
March 3rd, 2013
10:54 am
Say what?
mom2alex&max
March 3rd, 2013
11:56 am
If you are trolling, it’s not working. If you are not, look it up.
The bourgeois?
March 3rd, 2013
2:46 pm
Already did – and I repeat, Say what? Methinks thou art confusing the bougeois with the peasants…the middle class knows all to well about the struggles – just ask Obuma…
FDNH
March 3rd, 2013
2:53 pm
A note to all: Take your own IV saline solutions, your Band-aids, cotton gauze, alcohol wipes, a bottle of tylenol/aspirin, a tourniquet and a diaper to pee in, because for those things alone, you’re looking at $5,000. Just sayin’.
See First Do No Harm: http://amzn.to/YWSXqa
mom2alex&max
March 3rd, 2013
5:18 pm
“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.”
-Herman Melville, Author of Moby-Dick
See, mom...
March 3rd, 2013
7:39 pm
…you confirmed my question regarding your misunderstanding of what “bourgeois” means…the middle class is far from the “poor”…
Lurkinator
March 3rd, 2013
8:46 pm
TWG, I don’t usually comment on AJC blogs anymore since there are SO many trolls, and those who try to stay on topic get railroaded into tangents, but I felt compelled tonight.
To answer your question, I have gone to the ER a few times, and the only additional things I would have brought are iphone/ipad chargers and a blanket, since ER waiting rooms are so cold year-round. I actually keep copies of my insurance cards in my car, as well as snacks, bottled water, a first aid kit, a phone charger that can plug into the wall or in the car, coloring books and colored pencils, spare clothes (for the kids), my double stroller, and a blanket or two. It’s a lot but with three kids, you embrace the philosophy of being prepared, as I’m sure TWG knows! ;o)
Bernie
March 3rd, 2013
8:46 pm
mom2alex&max @ 5:18 pm – 100% agreed! great quote!
Sharon C
March 5th, 2013
12:15 pm
I question those of you criticizing her decision to grab a few things to take since she had to go home for insurance information….the child wasn’t bleeding, wasn’t unconscious, wasn’t in immediate danger, but had an obvious injury causing him great pain. The decision to stop and grab a couple of things to DISTRACT him from that pain was very wise indeed. AND to stop and grab some granola bars to feed a fussy 5 year old stuck in the emergency room probably saved some frustration as well. Since she had to go home to get her purse anyway, and probably went through the thought process of what she’d need on the way, I applaud her for thinking ahead. Had the purse and information needed been in the car already, then heading straight to the emergency room would have probably been my move. I always have snacks and two bottles of water stashed in the car in case they’re needed.
Not a mom
March 6th, 2013
6:29 pm
I’d give the kid tylenol, too. Poor guy broke his leg! And the snack grab was genius. I would have been in panic mode and forgot about the other kiddos. Well done! These folks are drama queens. “Liver damage,” oh sheesh.