Our first hospital admission...

Oh boy.  Ava is going to be the death of me. 

On Sunday 1/2, we were at a birthday party at a kids gym.  Ava was walking on a trampoline and slipped and fell.  The way she fell, it was like she did a split, but sideways.  You know, the way you are NOT supposed to do one.  I knew she was probably hurt, but I was thinking worst case would be a dislocated hip or something.  We headed for the MAC (Mercy Ambulatory Center) Center first because the weather wasn't good and it was close.  Plus, we knew the wait would be minimal, especially since they would probably do xrays.

We got there, signed in, got xrays and found out that my darling little baby BROKE HER FREAKING FEMUR!!  You know, the thigh bone.  The one that is REALLY hard to break.  Yup, she broke it.  So, we were transferred to Children's Hospital.  I rode in the ambulance with Ava.  That was weird.  Because she was a baby, I sat on the gurney and she sat in my lap. We get to Children's and talk to the ER doctor.  Yup, leg is broken and it isn't a good break.  It isn't a BAD break, but it isn't good either.  It is a spiral fracture and it was displaced.  It could have been worse though (and I keep reminding myself of that!).  I didn't care for the orthopedic resident that came to look at her - he was very "eh, you'll deal with it" and that's not really what I needed!  I needed a HUG dammit!  Not, "you'll figure it out."  He told us that she needed a full body cast that would go from her chest, all the way down her broken leg and then halfway down her other leg.  Um, what?  And that she'd need said cast for 6-8 weeks.  Not cool.   They loaded Ava up with some morphine and vercet and set her leg and put it in traction.  She did really awesome - not even a peep!  Oh and most people who got that much medicine would fall asleep, right?  Not my kid!  She was WIDE awake until 1am! 

Anyways, after her leg was put in traction, we were sent up to her room.  She settled down and started to sleep and Jeff ran home to get stuff for us since we were going to be there for awhile.  I hadn't laid down (on the super awesome - insert sarcasm here - pull out couch!) for more than 5 minutes when Ava started crying.  She had started having muscle spasms which is very common with a break like this.  They give Valium to stop them - only the Valium didn't touch it.  And neither did the morphine.  Oh my poor baby!  Needless to say, it was a ROUGH night.  She was having spasms every few minutes and would cry, then fall asleep, have a spasm again.  They had her maxed out on each type of medication and it was barely working.  They slowed down around 6am and we were able to sleep for an hour or so.  Then all the hustle and bustle of the hospital begins, so we didn't sleep much after that. 

We had an INCREDIBLE daytime nurse.  I just LOVED her.  Upbeat, full of personality, wonderful with Ava, and so empathetic toward us.  We had no idea what time they would get us into surgery to put Ava's cast on.  Oh yea, forgot to mention that.  She had to be put under anesthesia to get her cast on.  We were so thankful when around 10am we got the call that there was an opening in the OR and it was time to get her cast on.  I seriously cried and hugged our nurse.  I was so relieved.  Once she got her cast on, the spasms would be so much better.  Surgery went great, she did great with the anesthesia.  Oh and awesome news - she only needs the cast for 4-5 weeks.  And they only had to put the cast on the 1 leg.  WHEW!  She then slept for a LOOOONG time after.  Jeff and I took the opportunity to snooze on and off during that time as well.  Once she woke up, she was crabby but mostly because she was HUNGRY.  And so done with the hospital.  BUT she had to stay another night.  It was for the best, I know that.  It was just sad.  Jeff and I decided that I would go home to spend the night with Natalie - she needed one of us to be home with her.  And honestly, I was just NOT strong enough to be with Ava by myself.  I was having such a hard time holding it together (still am!).  My father-in-law came and picked me up at the hospital and took me home.  It was GOOD to be home.  REALLY good.  I didn't realize how done I was with the hospital too!  It felt good to shower and spend some time with Natalie.

In the morning I woke up with a migraine.  Of course.  Because you know when it rains, it pours.  I was trying to fight through it (and wouldn't you know I left my imitrex at the hospital!!) but Jeff told me I needed to get better for when he came home with Ava and to take care of myself.  And he was right.  So I got Natalie to the neighbors (thanks Michelle!!!) to go to school and play and then I laid down.  Jeff and Ava were home by noon and everyone at the hospital was very helpful.  Luckily Ava fit in her carseat!  They got home around lunchtime.  Oh boy, Ava is SO happy to be home.  She's a little crabby (I can't blame her!) but overall she is doing well.  We lay her on the floor or in her wagon.  Eating is interesting...and messy.  But that's ok!  She has slept well so far and is taking Tylenol with Codeine for pain.  It seems to work nicely and hopefully she'll only need it a few days. 

Natalie is very concerned about Ava, but is handling it well.  My Mom is coming to help us out soon, as is my sister and I'm thankful for that.  We have had lots of help from Jeff's parents and our neighbors and I can't even begin to express my gratitude.  We've made some really wonderful friends in our new neighborhood.  Jeff is incredible.  He has been my rock throughout all of this.  I'm having a hard time - typical Momma!  I'm just scared of the cast, worried about hurting her, moving her, keeping her happy.  I just need a few days and some practice and I'm sure I'll be doing better then.  I'll be off of work for at least a week and after that I'll evaluate day by day.  Any friends and family in the area that are reading this, feel free to visit!  Ava is bored, so new faces make her happy!  And it's nice to have an extra set of hands and some company. 

Ava will go to the Ortho Clinic next Friday for new xrays to see how things are healing.  We'll have a better idea then of how she's healing and when the cast will be off.  Thanks for reading and I will be sure to keep everyone posted.