Saturday, February 21, 2009

Doctors and Nurses and Owies, Oh My!

Nothing like having everyone in the medical field know you by name. In two weeks time (only in Hawaii for a week and a half), we have had 7 doctor visits (2 in Utah/Urgent Care right before we flew here), 4 nurse visits (TB testing), 2 ER visits (for the same injury just two hospitals), and all 3 kids have been on antibiotics.


To explain, Kenna had an ear infection causing a high fever and cough for 5+ days, and Brynlee had bronchitis. (Both needed antibiotics) In order to be employed or go to school here in Hawaii you have to be tested for TB so that comprised our 4 nurse trips.

Then Thursday (before moving in) we came to show our friend the new house and check to make sure it was ready for our stuff to be delivered Friday and Whitney decided she wanted to be more like me. She was climbing on a pogoda/flower bed decoration and it tipped over and smashed two of her fingers. The thud and following scream raised the hair on our necks! Mike scooped her up and ran to the sink - upon examination we knew we were in for an ER visit. Laurie kept Kenna, which was a huge help!


We went to the local hospital where they gave her some tylenol with codine and they were going to stitch it, but I asked if we needed to go to a plastic surgeon or specialist to try to save her fingers. He called a doctor in "town" (that is what Honolulu is called) and sent us off to the next ER an hour away. It was worth the stop - at least they were able to make Whitney more comfortable with the meds. We didn't get home until 3 AM, and no stitches afterall. The crush fractured the bones of her left middle and index fingers. They said that they didn't want to stitch it to avoid infection. If it got infected, there was a high possibility the infection would spread to the bone which is hard to treat and could result in losing her finger. Although it made for a long night - I am glad we went. We returned the next day to see the orthopedic hand surgeon who is excellent.

The pagoda
It used to be much taller - there were several layers that
looked like the top one stacked up taller than Whitney.

So - like mother like daughter. We are starting a short finger club - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN? It is a little painful - but it doesn't last too long, right Whitney?

3 comments:

The Black's said...

Oh my goodness. That is a lot of medical attention in such little time. Hopefully everything turns out alright with Whitney's finger. I always thought that your baby fingernail was the coolest, especially when you painted it. :) I don't think I want to join the club anytime soon though. Sorry!

riggs family said...

OH, Whitney, I'm so sorry!! Aaron and Payton are in that club with you though!! What a tough girl, and now you get to be just like your mom!! She is a pretty incredible lady, and I would love to be just like her too.

Brittney said...

Well, I think you two are great but it might take some courage to join your club... give me a few years... maybe..:) Poor kids!! Wow! You guys rock! Lots of doctor visits! Hopefully you will be done!!