Monday, September 21, 2009

A penny for your thoughts...

...not for your digestion.

So the emergency room visit... I'm not sure that it really makes a great blog story, but it does make me laugh....or roll my eyes. And it really ought to be documented.

A whole series of events led our move to be way off schedule, but we were hungry and thought we could use the break. We stopped at Chipotle for dinner where both of the older two crazies found a penny on the ground. Lucky day? Not so much.

We were in the parking lot when Reid started gagging, followed by bloody drool. In a barely audible voice, he lets me know he swallowed his penny. He is in pain. But the Heimlich is not really recommended when he's still breathing. So annoyed, I loaded him and Gray in the car. Spencer took Parker with him in the moving van so I didn't have to take all the kids and Spencer could get some more moving done. Reid, Grayden and I hustled to the emergency room.

The whole time I was driving I heard moans of pains and strange breathing patterns from the crazy in the back seat who swallowed his penny. But that was always better than silence. Whenever he got quiet, I'd yell at him to tell me he was still breathing. "Are you breathing Reid? Say yes!" We got to the ER. Reid was in too much pain to function. The stroller was not in the back because I had had boxes in there. I carried Reid and dragged Gray by the arm.

Though I wasn't frantic, I was in a hurry. I felt like we caused quite a scene as I rushed in with a wailing, slobbering three year old. A lady who worked there was getting all our info.

Her: Has he ever had surgery before?

Me: Yes, twice.

Her: What for?

Me: Uh, well, once for swallowing something...

Yeah...that's embarrassing. He swallowed a straight pin once and had to get it surgically removed. Reid is my kid who has a problem with this kind of thing. (See here and here.) He's the only one who's required strange ER visits.

So she finished getting all our info and Reid was making really strange noises...I knew what was coming but couldn't act fast enough. Reid barfed. Everywhere. On me, on himself, on Grayden, on the floor, on the wall, on the chair, on the desk. The lady who worked there was quick. She said she'd seen it before. I'm pretty sure he missed her. Vomit shot out of his mouth like nothing I'd ever seen.

The penny landed in my shoe.

Somebody brought us a couple towels and told us to leave the mess....they'd call maintenance.

Spencer and Parker walked in. I had all the keys...to both the house and the apartment.

After the major scene we had caused, all five of us calmly walked out of the emergency room like nothing had ever happened. Only the horrid smell of throw-up remained. The lovely lady at the desk just deleted all the info she entered. Two minutes later, that would have been $100 vomit. Nice timing on that one Reid.

Only...it was really bad timing. This put us another hour behind schedule.

19 comments:

Jessica said...

That is a pretty good blog story. That is hilarious. Well at least he vomited in the ER and not in the car. That way you didnt have to clean it up. I love that you had to tell the lady that he had to have surgery for swallowing something while he was sitting there choking on a penny. Your kids do the craziest stuff.

Traci Elizabeth said...

HILARIOUS. Though at the moment I am sure it wasn't! My kids don't swallow things, but Boston loves to eat dirt. Mounds and Mounds of dirt. Disgusting!

Thanks for sharing...i love these kind of posts:)

The Patterson's said...

Oh the joys of kids. That is pretty disgusting though. Atleast he did it before you got admited. I hope you are enjoying the house again?

Sheryl said...

I love your take on life with the kids!! Love it all! You are the best mom of your 3 crazies!!

Nicole said...

I agree with Sheryl... you are the best mom of your crazies!

Lauri said...

Oh, I forgot about the noodle up his nose story. I'm so glad you document these things...no one would ever believe that a cutie like Reid is such a rascal.

Eric said...

Wow, what a story! That's funny and scary all at the same time.

jeanine said...

Wow! I'm with Jessica... just be glad he didn't vomit in the car! That would have been horrible!

Kelly said...

I just love your boy stories!! I would've been a crazy woman, whereas you are calm, and I can tell it even as you type it out! It must be because of your boys- honestly, they must calm you! Loved the story- so glad Reid is good- when do you think he will stop swallowing non-food items?! He is hilarious!!

Kris said...

Katie,
Once again, you slay me! Your life with the three crazies is never dull, is it!
Thank goodnes he was okay, and thank goodness he upchucked in a timely fashion! Hope the rest of your move goes more smoothly!

Genn said...

Catching myself up on your last couple of posts. My, my, like my Mom said, with your 3 crazies, your life is NEVER dull! So glad Reid is ok. And great timing with the upchuck before it became an expensive ER visit. I lauged because of course Spencer and Parker walk in because you have the keys to everything. Wow. What a story. Hope you are settling into home now, and that there haven't been anymore crazy happenings recently!

AKA Rosa said...

I sure do miss that cute Reid!!!!

Unknown said...

I cant decide whether to laugh at the story, so cry for you:) While it is funny now, i can imagine the stress it caused during an already chaotic move. Leave it to the kids to keep us on our toes! Thank goodness it went so well though, no Heimlich and no ER bill..how's that for "half full glass" optimism?? We miss you guys and hope you are enjoying a BEAUTIFUL fall!!

J, E, S & L said...

The best part of the whole story is the penny landed on your shoe. I would have cried right then and there! Spencer walked in at the perfect time :)

amelia said...

OH WOW. That is quite the story. Glad he's OK!

Amanda B. said...

Thanks for sharing the story! I was curious to the details! I don't remember reading about the noodle story before. That kid sure gives you a run for your money! (no pun intended! ha!) Though vomit is no fun in anyway, I bet you were just a little bit grateful for it then! :)

Erin said...

I had a struggle between laughing and losing my lunch. And that is great timing-my luck it would have cost us our co-pay!!

Autumn said...

Unreal! Sounds like you handled it wonderfully. Could the timing have been any worse?! Good for him for at least saving the $100.

Kelly said...

So true... never a dull moment with kids... but especiaclly with 3 boys!! glad he's ok!