There's been a lot happening since Christian's birthday celebration on the 13th. It all started to snowball on June 19th. As we got to after care to pick up the kids, I went out to the playground to get them. Tori was out there, but I didn't see Christian. The woman out there told me he was inside. No big deal, they are allowed to get drinks from the fountain. Unfortunately it was a big deal. I went inside and Christian was at a table crying with 2 of the other care takers and an ice bag on his hand. His Mom was trying to console him, but it wasn't working much. As I got closer I could tell it wasn't good.
His pinky was swollen from his hand to his first knuckle. I asked him to lay his other hand flat to compare it with the swollen finger. I could tell then that it was broken. He twisted it slightly (it wasn't flat like the other fingers) and it was pointing out more than usual. He told us a known ruffian on the playground slid down the slide and into Christian while Christian was getting off the slide. The kid kicked him in the nuts as Christian was getting off and his pinky was still on the slide. Apparently this caused his hand to bend back in an awkward position and break his pinky.
We took him to the prompt care after we dropped everyone off at home. He was still upset and crying, but eventually calmed down. He was OK as they examined him and did well with his first x-rays. Then it came time to set his finger. Before the fun could start they had to numb the fracture area. The only way to do this was with a needle. I took his left hand and kind of covered his face so he wouldn't see what was happening. The doctor injected one side of his broken pinky, then the other. He cried in pain, but he didn't wail, scream or thrash around. While the injection was taking effect, he was a jabber box about commercials and worrying too much about things like the weather and money. Eventually the doctor came back in to set his finger. He watched this time as the doctor twisted and turned the finger back into place. There were a few pops when he put it back. Christian said "Ow" a few times, but wasn't in a great deal of pain. They wrapped in in a splint and sent us home with directions to see an orthopaedist.
Luckily for Christian the ortho said he wouldn't need surgery. His finger may be a little crooked, but it would straighten out over time. He'll have the splint on for 2 weeks then he'll begin stretching the muscles in his finger. That is going to hurt a bit. We are just glad it isn't a lot worse.
