And How Was Your Night Last Night?

I spent 6 hours at the ER with Michael.

I did the unthinkable yesterday and ducked out of work a little early and was getting a mani/pedi when Michael's school called to tell me there had been an "incident" and a bookcase fell on his hand and there was blood everywhere and his hand may be broken and did I want them to call 911?  I managed to talk them down from 911 because 911, seriously? I was 10 minutes away.  They insisted I could not handle this situation myself and I needed an ambulance.  Having been transported in an ambulance I knew how traumatic it was and did not want that for my three year old.   I got my mother on the phone and she met me at the school (my mom is awesome, hi mom!) and off we went to the hospital.

5 hours later, because seriously EMERGENCY room, he was diagnosed with a fractured finger which was also partially detached, and we had to the wait for the HAND SURGEON to reattach it.  At which point Doug almost passed out because he doesn't do so well with blood, and then there was a discussion of cuts almost to the bone and antibiotics and I got queasy.  And tears, there were lots of tears.  Most of them were from Michael.

The bigger issue remains, how exactly did a BOOKCASE fall on my child at SCHOOL?  Although Michael insists it was a cubby and he pulled it down on himself.  I still haven't gotten the full story because yesterday I was too concerned with getting the profusely bleeding child to the doctor.  But there has been some discussion that I have to pull this child from this preschool STAT, or sue.  (I'm not suing.  I may be a lawyer, but I do understand, accidents happen.)

Look, Michael is a 3 year old boy.  He is a climber.  Part of me thinks he would have climbed the roof of this house if I wasn't paying attention.  And I guess that's the question.  Where was an adult when this was happening?  And how could a bookcase, or a cubby, not be strapped to a wall in a PRESCHOOL?

But does an accident warrant us pulling him out? And if we pull him out then what?  Because you know, I have this little thing called a job they expect me to go to.  I'm out the rest of the week and maybe Monday until my 3 year old needs to go back to the HAND SURGEON.  And next year?  Because it's not like any preschools have any spaces in March for next year, perish the thought.  This is DC.  Land of the crazy overscheduled child. 

Bottom line, Michael's okay.  A little whiny, a lot tired.  Very confused.  He keeps talking about the shot the doctor gave him to numb his hand and he hates the soft cast he is in to immobilize the finger.  But I can pretty much guarantee that this will not be our first visit to the ER for a broken something or other.

Comments

[Janna]

Oh I am so glad he's okay! I totally got woozy just reading about it (not good with blood either).

[Angela]

Not having something like a bookcase strapped into the wall would really worry me. ESPECIALLY at a preschool. I'm sure that your preschool will soon become one of the safest in DC after this little incident though. I'm sorry that it had to happen to your little boy.

[Sarah]

Oh my gosh! That is awful. I hope he is okay!!! I would have the same concerns about the safety of the preschool. Climber or not, how did a bookcase fall and why did nobody notice he was on the bookcase until it fell? Hope Michael is feeling better soon!

[Thien-Kim]

Glad to hear he's alright. All of that crying would have been so hard for me. I would definitely make sure they strap down all the other things in the preschool!

You would be surprised. You might find room in another preschool.

[Pando]

Gah! Agh! You had me at 3-year old and HAND SURGEON. Poor baby! Poor mom!
I agree with you that stuff happens, and applaud you for not being sue happy. But still, where WERE all the adults paid to watch him? I guess it comes down to, how comfortable are you going to be leaving him there after this? And how hard will it be to place him elsewhere?

[Caroline]

I saw your update on Twitter and had to come see what happened. My heart froze in my chest reading this story (I have 2 boys, I know how this could happen about 6 times a day around here). I truly hope he recovers quickly - I am so sorry to hear this happened in the first place tho. I am glad he seems to be ok!

[Megan]

oh my gosh - glad he is ok! And yes, at a minimum that school should be required to instantaneously attach any lose furniture to the walls. That is really dangerous!!

[Anonymous New York]

Wow, Jodi! That's terrible! I'm so glad to hear that Michael is ok! I'm not particularly litigious either, but I'm a big fan of a strongly worded letter giving them a piece of my mind as a lawyer about the standard of care they should be giving and what I expect from them in the future. It usually whips people into shape pretty quickly.

I can't say what you should do about taking Michael out of the preschool, but with your professional background and knowing the people who supervise him since he started there, I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you and your family. Best of luck!

[Wife and Mommy]

I am so glad he is okay, but argh on a long, long ER visit.

[Adrienne]

Oh Jodi! How scary! I have to say, from the photos, he looks like quite the little trooper. Take care!

[Kristie]

O.M.G. Poor little guy. If this were me I don't know if I'd pull him out of the school...but I WOULD take my husband with me for a "meeting" with the director, assistant director, owner, and anyone else I could think of and make them squirm.

Good luck to you guys. I hope he feels better and that you recover swiftly from your near heart attack.

[Angela]

I'm so glad he's ok, although it sounds like he's got some surgery and recovering coming up which sounds stressful for all three of you. So hugs still coming for that!

I'm trying to picture my son's preschool and their cubbies are i'm sure not strapped down. Plus some are used as kind of standing separators between areas. Nicky is very much a climber too, and I can totally picture him climbing up on one of the freestanding cubbies like that. But I don't know how they'd secure it down. The ones I'm thinking of are very short though, so I'm not sure it would be so damaging, but if it hit just right...ack, I can get my imagination going on this!

Maybe just meeting with the teachers and talking about the incident would be helpful. They can show you just what happened and how they intend to keep it from happening again. You'd think the other kids would not climb up now that they've seen the damage that can happen, but I'd think they'd be even MORE likely to try to copy it. It's just how kids are sometimes.

If they don't seem to have any plans for prevention though, I'd maybe think about moving him. Although like you said, not an easy thing to do!

Hugs to you all. Poor Michael and his boo-boo finger.

[Bailey]

Yikes! I hope you're all doing ok.

[stephanie]

I'm so glad to hear Michael's okay. I agree with you that accidents happen, and sure... you'd like to think the teachers can keep an eye on all kids at all times, but little ones (especially climbers) are FAST. I don't know how many adults are in Michael's room at school, but they could have, at the same time, been tying a kid's shoe, stopping some kid from hitting another with a toy, and trying to calm down a temper tantrum. Basically, what I'm saying is, things happen.

BUT, bookcases, cubbies, whatever ABSOLUTELY should be properly secured. Obviously accidents happen, but they should also be prevented to the extent possible. Regardless of whether you decide to pull Michael from that school, I think you should confirm that they immediately secure all those things so that they cannot be pulled down or knocked down on the children. I imagine they'd be quite accommodating to that, considering protection of the kids is their first priority, plus they don't want a lawsuit from you. If the flat out refuse, then I'd say it might be better for Michael to be somewhere else and to report the school (if there is somewhere to report them to). If they do make those safety changes, then I think you need to decide whether, aside from this incident, it is a good school for Michael.

And that's my 2... er 37... cents.

[Cagey]

Shouldn't they at least reimburse you for the loads o' medical bills heading to a mailbox near you?

My 3 year old son rarely climbs. Yet, I just caught his 19 month old sister trying to climb a bookcase over the weekend. Be still my heart. So much for gender stereotypes.

[Lauren]

Oh no! Poor Michael! Wow, what a horrible thing to go through.

[Maggie]

I'm so glad that he's okay! What a tough little kiddo you have -- hopefully this will be your last trip to an ER for a long time!

[Beth Fish]

Damn. Glad he is ok, although that sounds like a horrible injury for an almost four year old to have to endure. Am sure you will be having an extensive and very serious conversation with the school.

[Rock and Roll Mama]

Oh honey! i am so sorry, ER is never good. Once we were there w. Jack and lo and behold one of his best friends was there from school getting stitches. We were like "What's up boys, ER playdate!" as they bled all over themselves. Ugh.

You may already know about this, but heads up- At the intersection of 118 and Middlebrook Road in Germantown, there is a full-service freestanding ER- ancillary of SG. NEVER crowded. Hopefully you never need it, but just in case.

Hugs to you!

[Michelle]

Last summer, my then two-year-old "ran into a countertop" at day care - requiring five stitches in her head. I'm such a great mom, I saw the call coming in, but was on a conference call so sent it straight to voicemail. Twice. Ditto my husband's call about five minutes later to tell me he was on his way to take her to the emergency room. When I finally got to the pediatric hospital, she turned to me and said, "Mommy, I got blood in my hair. AND ALL OVER." And she did. I'm such an awesome mom.

[aimee]

Oh my gosh! So glad to hear Michael is okay and that they saved his finger. I think the preschool should (will) reassess all the safety in the classrooms and after that you would be fine sending Michael back there. Doesn't he love it? I'm fully expecting many Dr/ER visits with Lucas, who is also a fearless climber.

And, is that a copy of Alexander's No Good Horrible Very Bad Day peeking out? How appropriate!

[misguided mommy]

I want to know the exact same thing. Why the hell wasn't that cabinet strapped to the wall? Hellllllo kids climb and pull things down. Yeah I would definitely make the school pay those medical bills. ASSHOLES.

I'm glad little dude is okay..also your husband cracks me up with the blood part!

[Kim]

Bless his heart, I'm glad he's okay. I've had enough of hospitals lately after Maddy's arm incident.

[Elaine at Lipstickdaily]

Whew, glad you got through that reasonably ok AND that it happened at a time when you were able to get there quickly. I agree with you that this should NOT happen in a preschool . . . res ipsa loquitur and all that . . . but the better course of action is to talk to the school and make them review their safety practices to your satisfaction. No doubt they are more than willing to do so. AND it could lead to some improvements - - to everyone's benefit. Wonder if their general liability insurance would cover your doctor bills?

[mayberry]

Holy CRAP. I am so glad he will be OK. How traumatic for all of you!

[Musings from Me]

Sorry to hear about Michael. Such an ordeal. I wonder if the bookshelf should have been attached to the wall with a safety device.

Hope you get back to a normal routine soon.

Jill -- formerly Mom on the Run, now Musings from Me to match my twitter name

[Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama]

I see Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day in the photo. What a fitting book for the situation! Thinking of you!

[carma]

I need to applaud you on your levelheaded approach to the situation.
Glad Michael is doing OK.
carma

[magpie]

Poor little crumpet.

[WhyMommy]

Ouch! I'm glad you were so close and could get him.

[mom]

Jodi, I am so glad I was able to help you out my heart was breaking for the poor little guy. I thought you were all troopers. I am very happy that I was able to be there and help out. Let's hope this is the worst thing that ever happens to Mr. Michael. Love, Mom

[pgoodness]

Oooh, I feel woozy just reading about it...and having two climbing, crazy boys, I know I will be in the ER sooner than later.

I'm not sure I would pull him out, either. Yes, accidents happen, but I would certainly demand better safety precautions before taking him back next week!

[Andrea Meyers]

How awful for you and Michael. Hopefully the surgery will work out and everything will be fine.

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

Poor Michael.

I was substituting at our preschool and I watched my own child bash his face into a table today.

I agree with you, accidents happen.

Still, the school should secure the cubbies.

[Parentopia Devra]

You have the order right. Tend to Michael, tend to yourself, tend to everyone else, deal with the fucking bookshelf later.

big hugs!

[pseudostoops]

Egad. Poor Michael, poor you. The school is doubtless FREAKING OUT right now (hello! We allowed a bookshelf to fall on a child...whose parent is a lawyer! Awesome!) and hopefully will be super receptive to talking with you about how to improve safety, etc.

[Susan]

I can't even begin to imagine how frightening this was for your family. I'm so glad that Michael is going to be okay, but OMFG!!

I'm thinking the school has probably already had someone in to secure the furniture, but, I agree with the above commenters, that a sit down with the teacher and director is in order.

Good luck and speedy recovery.

[Safire]

Oh I am so so sorry for you and your little guy! Hope he's feeling better soon! (Randomly, we were in that exact bed in the ER about 4 weeks ago with MY boy who also had a broken bone.)

[Damselfly]

Dreadful! I got a little queasy at the mention that his finger was partially detached. You're right -- how did a preschool not have heavy furniture attached to the wall? I'm so sorry this happened to Michael and your family.

[Danielle-lee]

OMG. I am so sorry this happened to him!! Poor little guy! I am so glad he is okay though. And, by the way, wow-he has gotten so LONG. What is it with 3 year olds? Mine looks like a beanstalk too!
Anyway!-
I can't believe they didn't have the bookcase/cubby straped to the wall, or whatever. what are you going to do?

[Robbin]

Holy COW! And yep, I would be on the phone the next day asking them why they didn't consider strapping that cubby.

If it is any consolation - I had an almost identical injury (in COLLEGE, however) - only it involved a partial glove amputation - and calling in a hand surgeon for almost anything more than a minor fracture is pretty routine. Hands are tricky and they like to be on the safe side and call in someone who knows what they hell they are doing.

I feel for Michael, because that was the worst pain I had been in my entire life. And almost twenty years later I can STILL say that.

[FishyGirl]

Oh, dear God, and here I am all unplugged and stuff. I second what Lindsay said about the Germantown Emergency Center. Been there more than I like, but we've never ever had to wait. Plus I could have come to help you all out. Poor Michael! What a little trooper. Poor Jodi!

As for the school, I'd definitely have a meeting with them to make sure they can prove to you that they've taken it seriously and have gone over their own procedures to ensure this doesn't happen again. Accidents happen, but in a preschool they should have been able to anticipate this type of accident and should have taken steps to mitigate it.

[Stimey]

Your poor little guy. That sounds incredibly traumatic for all of you. I hope his surgery goes well.

It does seem weird that a bookcase wasn't attached to the wall. I'm pretty sure that things like that are on the list of things that get inspected every year in preschools. I don't know that I would pull him out if he were my child, but I'd definitely find out what happened and then heartily suggest that they secure their tall furniture.

[Christy]

Sorry to hear about your little guy. I'm glad to hear that he'll be ok.

I'd be very concerned about an unsecured bookcase (or cubby) at the preschool. I think that's just plain negligent.

[kim/hormone-colored days]

Aw, poor kid and poor mom. I hope everyone is on the mend. It is surprising that a preschool would not have cubbies attached to the wall.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

I saw your Tweets...you poor things...I don't remember our preschool attaching cubbies to the wall, either. How scary. Hope everyone is feeling better, by now.

[Kim]

Oh my goodness, bless his heart. I can't imagine how scary that was for the both of you. I'm glad he's doing better. ((hugs))