Ice Storm Casualty

Swim Chick and Adventure Guy just returned home from the emergency room. Today around 1:00 p.m. the kids were outside trying to break up the boredom of being housebound for so long, and Swim Chick slipped on the ice, falling and hitting her shoulder. Gym Girl came running in to get me, and when I got outside, Swim Chick was lying flat on her back crying and screaming. Fortunately, she could tell me what happened, and I was able to get her into the house.

It was pretty obvious to me that she had broken her collarbone. I did what I usually do in an emergency: called Adventure Guy. He said he'd be right home, which saved me from having to brave the drive to the hospital and the inevitable long wait with both of the other kids in tow. While we waited for him to arrive, I tried to make Swim Chick as comfortable as possible, but she was in a lot of pain.

Right now, I'm waiting for our pediatrician's office to call back with a referral to an orthopedic specialist. The emergency room people want us to make an appointment with them for follow up. Swim Chick is resting as comfortably as possible on the couch, and Adventure Guy is out filling her prescriptions.

I hate this kind of thing. I can't help but feel like I should have been doing something to prevent it, though I know that accidents are going to happen. What makes it worse is that she was supposed to have her 13th birthday party on Friday with some of her friends coming over for pedicures, a nice dinner out, and a sleepover. We've decided to reschedule for later so that she can really enjoy it, but she's very disappointed. It also means she's out from swimming for a while, and she'd already been fighting tendinitis in her ankle. I'm about to the point of saying she needs to just take a break from the team until next season. Maybe I'll have to come up with a new name for her.....

Anyway, prayers and good thoughts for quick healing would be appreciated.