Bumps, bruises and broken bones

Sunday afternoon:  Rich and I spoke in Sacrament meeting.  We sat on the first two benches so we could get up to speak quickly, since we sat down with the kids.  Talks went well. Right after the closing prayer, while we are visiting with Rich's parents and ward members, Zach ran down the ramp leading up to the stand, tripped at the bottom and smashed his face directly into the wooden leg of the pew.  There was a huge thud.  Rich's dad grabbed Zach.  I scanned for gashes that would require stitches.  All seemed fine for about 2 seconds.  Then blood started pouring out of Zach's nose and the swelling began.  It's fall break and 2/3 the ward was gone.  Rich was supposed to sub Trey's class and I had to do both hours of music in Primary.  We grabbed a Primary presidency member who could find a teacher for Trey and Zach and I went into the bathroom to wash off all the blood on both of us (not to mention, poor Rich's dad's suit and tie!).  Rich and his parents took Zach to Todd Hamilton's house to assess the damage (thank you Todd!!).  I went and did music.  My heart was breaking!  With all the soft tissue swelling, it's impossible to really know if the nose is broken or displaced.  There are beginnings of two black eyes.  The sweet fella can barely breathe out of his nostrils.  We'll have to wait until the swelling goes down, but we think it's broken.  Later x-rays are inconclusive.  Zach looks like a mess, but is as wild and crazy as ever.  I have to remind him to slow down and walk, oh, and not to jump on the bed!  Good thing he's being Frankenstein for Halloween- no face painting required!

Monday late morning:  Phone call from school.  Matt fell during recess and has a "dislocated wrist". Come Immediately.  Arrived at school to find an ambulance, fire truck and police car with lights on.  Oh my heavens!  Aide asked me if I am squeamish.  Tell her, I've seen it before.  Trey had the exact same break 3 years ago.  Walked into office to see paramedics working on Matt.  His right wrist is lying oddly, arm is grossly deformed.  They had run an I.V. and informed me Matt had to ride in the ambulance to the emergency room since they gave him pain meds.  After 3 attempts to persuade them to change their mind (Dad is a doctor, is on call at hospital, will meet him there, uncle will reduce fracture)- failure.  Zach and I followed behind ambulance to Timp Hospital in Orem.  E.R. staff probably wondered if they should treat Zach's injuries too.  He's really black and blue.  Rich read Matt's x-rays:  right arm distal radius and ulna fracture, bones displaced.  E.R. doctor tried closed reduction.  Not so great.   Uncle Bob was at Timp doing surgery and came in to save the day.  Reduced fracture perfectly.  Bones look great.  Matt was a trooper.  Now all my boys have broken a bone.  Check that off the never to do again list!  Hope Matt is ambidextrous since he's right handed!

My Quotable Matt in the E.R.: 

"My shirt says 'Lucky Me'.  How ironic."

"So now I know what a headache in my arm feels like, all that throbbing pain!"

"My brothers and I are the broken bone boys.  What great alliteration!"

I love you boys! Now no more injuries!!!