I mean, it didn't start that way. I was in meetings most of the day. Then I went to fetch Sherlock. It was a nice day, and I'd promised him we'd go to the park. Some other kids and parents were going to, so we all headed off.
It was all fine, kids running about, us old folk huddled up on the bench/by the fence.
Sherlock shouted at me to watch him, but I was right in the middle of talking to someone, so I told him to wait...and then there was a thud. I just saw him dropping off the frame out of the corner of my eye. And everything....I don't know, froze. Like, there was no sound at all, and then he screamed, and I don't know, I think my heart started beating again, because I really thought he might have fallen on his head - he'd been hanging upside off the frame, being a bat. And I ran.
He was already picking himself up, sort of, and when I knelt down he pretty much threw himself at me, and through the sobbing he said his arm hurt. It already looked like it was swelling, and he was...I've never seen him cry like that.
Anyway, I carried him to the road and we flagged down a cab and took him to hospital. He calmed down a bit by the time we got there, and just looked a bit pale and shocked.
You've probably seen most of the comments on John's blogs. We waited, the nurse thought he might have broken it, we waited some more, got sent to x-ray, got x-rayed. They let me sit in with him, under a huge lead sheet, and he asked loads of questions all the time, and eventually got as much of an all clear as we could - he's got a torus fracture, which is something only kids get. It's like the bone's buckled under the impact of him falling on his arm. It should heal fine.
He's got a splint and a sling on now, and he'll get a cast on in a few days. He's already been picking at the splint, undoing it, so I think the sooner the cast goes on the better. He's taking it fairly well. Excited about getting it signed, having a purple cast, not having to have a bath for a couple of days, having a day off school...that sort of thing. But it also hurts, and he's really upset the hospital wouldn't let him have his x-rays.
I know no one could have stopped what happened - but I can't help but feel bad that I wasn't looking when he fell, or...well, loads of things. And I know John wishes he was here. I'm just glad he's okay, mainly.
Anyway, apart from all that, and Sherlock's dismay at missing our date...here's something for you, John:
115 comments:
I feel so bad for him. And for you. Wish I was there.
Oddly enough, that's the card I'd pick out for you as well. Love you.
Love you too.
Sherlock says I'm allowed to say he loves you as well but not in a soppy way.
And he's just discovered there will be no riding on the back of the bikes while his arm is in plaster and has burrowed under the duvet in protest. He's announced he will never come out.
Oh dear... At least he's got Mycroft coming home tomorrow to look forward to. You can tell him I love him too.
I hope you're being good to yourself Greg, its a terrifying thing to see your child hurt.
Not long until tomorrow now and then a week of madness for the four of you :-)
Sorry you can't go on the bike for a bit Sherlock.
Mycroft, I hope you don't mind if we pick you up in the car? I think it would be a bit unfair on Sherlock if we fetched you on the bike.
Danger - the duvet said 'I KNOW' when informed of your love for it.
If it helps cheer Sherlock up--you can get a copy of your xrays from hospitals here for a fee, I'm sure it would be possible to get a copy of his; it might take a few weeks, though.
The radiographer just said he couldn't have them and they were property of the NHS. I daresay there's a way if you could get them sent to a private doctor who'd give them to you or something, but his Mum might have to sort that out. They certainly weren't going to let me have them. I'd rather not say I was sure he could get them to him when I'm not.
I'm glad. The duvet is very important to me.
I can't sleep because my arm hurts and itches
Lestrade, yes, that's fine, of course. I will be happy to see all of you tomorrow.
its strange Sherlock but I was only saying to my friend today that in my house sleep rules go out of the window when the kids are ill.
I hope you and Lestrade can work out a way for you to get some good healing sleep :-) good luck with it.
It's absolutely true they can't give you their set of xrays here, either--they have to keep a copy for use and for their records (and destroy them after a certain number of years.) But you ought to be able to get a copy without going through a doctor, by contacting the xray department of the hospital. It might be worth a try?
I never had a broken arm, Sherlock, but I did have a cast on my hand for 6 weeks and it did indeed hurt and itch. I'm sorry you are feeling so uncomfortable. I hope you can fall asleep, because it doesn't hurt or itch while you're asleep...so I slept a lot the first couple of days!
Sherlock - I know, love. At least close your eyes and try to rest, okay? Maybe you can talk Lestrade into playing his guitar for you.
RR, the health system is really different iver there so things we can do in the states dont slways translate. I think Lestrade doesnt want to get Sherlock's hopes up. John might know, but they'll probably discuss it later when Shetlock isn't in pain and tired.
Sorry for all the typos, my phone hates me.
Right, he's dozing, leaning on me andwith every pillow in the flat surrounding him to he can't roll about too much, under Mycroft's duvet, on our bed, and I'm about half under our duvet. Don't think he was ever going to sleep in his bed, porr kid.
that sounds just about perfect Greg and you get to keep a close eye on him which I know I'd want to be able to if I'd had the day you've had!
He's a lucky young man having you to look after him :-)
Hope you all get some sleep tonight.
cheers. he's a bit restless but not too bad. gave him more painkillers before trying to get him to settle.
Not quite the Valentine's I ever imagined. Not the first time I've ended up in A&E on St Val's either. Just glad h e's mainly ok.
Thanks Mycroft. see you tomorrow. And you, John. I'll give you a call tomrrow to update you. ride safe. love you.
I love you too. Call me if you get up later, if you want. I'll probably be up.
Good night, gentlemen. Here's hoping everything looks (and is) better in the morning...
Wow, it sounds like it was a really exciting day -- and not the fun kind of exciting, either. If you have to have a broken bone, Sherlock, I'm glad it's one that they can put a splint and a cast on, because people will be careful not to bump it. I think purple is an excellent color. And it's good that you danced for John and sang his song already. You can take Lestrade on his date another time.
L, you have all my sympathy. There's nothing worse than the sound of a kid hitting the floor (or a bookcase corner) hard enough to break something. It sounds to me like you handled it really well.
rsf
I commented on the other blog, but...copy pasting.
Sherlock, I'm sorry you got hurt. It sounds like you are being very good for Lestrade and John. If you must have a cast, a purple one with lots of signatures sounds about right.
Lestrade, it sounds like you are taking excellent care of him and did all the right things. Do take care of yourself as well.
John, it's hard to be away when our youngsters are feeling poorly. Be gentle with yourself about that.
Mycroft, you are a very caring friend and brother. I hope this hasn't been too upsetting, and that everyone being together tomorrow will be strengthening. For all of you.
I hope all of you are ok this morning and that your arm doesn't hurt too much, Sherlock!
Did Sherlock sleep some? More than you I'm going to guess Greg?
I don't know what your plans are for today pre getting everyone home but I hope you find something fun to do together :-)
We both slept a bit. Sherlock has now relocated back to the sofa, but he got breakfast in bed.
Glad you both got some sleep. Hope today goes well. I'm sure you know, but sick/injured children tend to act younger than normal, so don't be surprised if that happens (experienced mum speak). And I'm sure you're very aware of the effects of shock (for both of you.)
And I suspect anonybob would back me up on this, but if he does doze for a bit use the time to rest yourself and don't rush round trying to get everything done.
I'm glad you got some sleep and breakfast in bed will be a lovely part of the whole broken arm story once its all fixed and becomes a funny story Sherlock likes to tell :-)
Enjoy today, you might not have planned to spend it at home with Sherlock but that doesn't mean you shouldn't both enjoy the unexpected time together :-)
He's now asleep on the sofa, looking like the princess and the pea he's got so much bedding propping him up in every direction. I've stuck the cricket on, to the chances of me falling asleep are quite high.
He hates his sling this morning and says it's stupid. So it's off for now, given he's not moving about. We'll see how that goes later.
Given that he's only supposed to wear the sling for a couple of days I'd resort to good old fashioned bribery.
Glad to hear the everyone got at least some sleep last night - and that more may be planned for today. I guess that you'll both need a bit of a rest before the maelstrom hits later on, when Mycroft, John and the dogs are all back :-)
I hope you all manage to have a good day :-)
He has declared himself fit enough to go out for a hot chocolate. He is also milking mrs H for every biscuit and shred of sympathy possible.
Well done Sherlock, you know just how to be 'ill' properly ;-)
Enjoy your hot chocolates or is that 1 hot chocolate and 1 huge coffee?
It's no bad thing to be alert to all the silver linings... ;)
Sherlock, I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better today! (Fit enoughvto go out for hot chocolate is better the best way. :))
I was looking around the Internet last night, and found a video I thought you'd like particularly--it's about how they're making a very accurate computer model of the human heart that shows it beating:
http://youtu.be/ZxpA74XBGWY
It's the video winner of the 2012 Sciece Magazine Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge, which has some other amazing photos and drawings and games, too: www.sciencemag.org/site/special/vis2012/
How're you holding up, L?
not huge enough, i fear, anonyBob. Might have 2
and why not, you deserve it :-)
did the coffee not work Greg? have you two spent the afternoon passed out somewhere?
John, Mycroft I hope your trips home are on time and uneventful :-)
We had a little sleep after lunch ;)
Sherlock is getting people to sign his splint now.
An after-lunch rest is lovely and indulgent. :)
It sounds like Sherlock is sensibly getting the most fun he can out of it!
It's a lot of fun getting things signed. My brother still has the cast from when he broke his wrist more than thirty years ago.
I found a video about types of fractures but I'm at work, so I can't listen to it and find out what the joke was at the end.
rsf
How very civilised ;-)
I’m glad Sherlock is enjoying the advantages because he seems to be putting up with the disadvantages very well.
We got out a bit early, and I'm just repacking, should be leaving soon. Home in time for dinner.
Brilliant! Sherlock has cheered up a lot at that. Although dinner is dependent on Mycroft, a bit.
I think I've inadvertently promised Sherlock he can have glitter on his proper cast. I was half asleep, he ambushed me. I thought it probably wouldn't hurt fibreglass though?
He's being very cuddly today, and a broken arm has apparently robbed him of the use of his legs, meaning he requires a lot of rides on my shoulders.
robbed him of the use of his legs, meaning he requires a lot of rides on my shoulders.
It's a little known secondary complication...
Should be all right if he's careful? I'd only worry about glitter getting down in it and making him itch like mad. When are you going to get Mycroft?
Mycroft said he'd be ready at 6.
Mrs N just dropped a 'get well soon' card around from his class. He told her a very graphic tale of breaking the arm, involving loud cracking sounds and fainting bystanders and all sorts.
Blood spurting, etc? That was very kind of Mrs N, and his classmates. I hope it cheered him up.
All right, I'm off. Should see you not too long after you get back with Mycroft then. Can't wait. :)
I have no idea about the chemical interactions, so if it's not good...sorry.
But I'm thinking about glitter and casts and John's very good point about glitter shed and itching. What about glitter nail polish or glitter glue, to draw a design with? That shouldn't shed.
I'd thought glitter glue would be okay, but mail varnish is probably even better for sticking power. We can ask the cast people. If we take some they might even be able to incorporate it when they put the cast on? We can but try
Great ideas, kestrel!
When does Sherlock go to get a proper cast? On the weekend or after?
I found someone online who got glitter on his cast, so it must be possible, even if his mom says the glitter fell off a lot.
http://schlegelrock.com/category/trips-to-the-dr/
rsf
We got Mycroft and John will be home soon and we're going to get curry when he is to say we missed him and I should get my purple cast tomorrow but John said the doctor would have to say if I would or not but I want it
Yay for having Mycroft home, and yay for John being almost home! Curry is a very nice welcome home for John.
I daresay the doctor will have to look at your arm and see if you can get the cast right away or if it's better for the bone-healing to wait another little bit. I hope you can get it right away!
(Are you following the asteroid flyby online, Mycroft?)
JOHN'S HOME I CAN SEE HIS BIKE LESTRADE CARRY MEEEEEEEE
(Just possibly you were missed a bit, John. ;))
One moment I'm locking the bike...the next smothered in hugs. :) Nice way to come home.
What a great welcome :-)
John is barely in the door and Sherlock wants to take his splint off and have John look at his arm... much as I think John's a great doc, I don't think he needs to look at a sweaty broken arm.
Sherlock is also thrusting the biscuits we made today at him (chocolate dipped hearts, because chocolate-dipping only requires one hand.)
And Mycroft must feel sorry for Sherlock, because Sherlock has draped Spider over Mycroft's head and she's still there...
I am merely biding my time.
Lestrade told Sherlock a story earlier, involving his own forearm cast and his brother's head. The former, apparently, was a convenient weapon for attacking the latter.
I can wait until he's out of the fibreglass and back to being flesh and unbroken bone for my revenge.
Sorry, Mycroft. Halfway through that story I realised I should have saved it until after the cast was off again.
He's worn me down through lack of sleep and overdose of coffee and sugar... ;)
So what about this curry I was promised? Man cannot live on chocolate dipped biscuits alone...although I'd be willing to try.
...and here was I worrying you might have overdosed on curry, and this idea was the last thing you wanted.
Anyway, what do you mean? You know the menu off by heart! Just say what you want!
Just trying to distract everyone from thoughts of cast-y revenge...
You are clearly under the delusion that there's such a thing as too much curry.
I want cheesey-peas and paratha and the potatoes too my arm smells funny and it HUUUUURTS
I'm sorry it huuuuuuurts. Come and give me another hug while Lestrade orders food, okay?
I think it huuurts because you're booouuuuunncing. It'll jar it, even in a splint.
And it's smelly because it's sweaty and unwashed. They'll clean it before you get a cast, and you'll have to be very brave when they do, because it'll probably hurt like pressing a bruise - but more. But we'll be there, and they'll be very careful, and I'm sure we can go for ice cream or cake afterwards.
But once you have your proper cast, you are having a BATH, Stinky.
NO BATHS EVERRRR
yes baths! We'll put your arm in a bag. Because as generally splash-proof as your cast may be, it would be completely miserable being stuck with a soggy cast, and would smell even worse.
Just be thankful you're getting fibreglass not plaster of paris. THAT was horrible.
What would it smell like? Can I take it off with an angle grinder like you did?
smells horrible. Like...old sweaty nastiness.
And no, you definitely may not! They have a special little saw that they'll use - like a tiny mini angle grinder. Get them to show you it tomorrow.
Have you broken lots of bones? John have you too? If I never have a bath again will I smell worse and worse and WORSE forever so it's in a cloud around me like some ladies' perfume is?
I think people generally plateau at a certain level of smelliness? People I've encountered seem to have. I mean, in a general unwashed way, with unwashed clothes, rather than anything more severe.
I've broken more than I hope you ever will. It's generally painful and boring and stops you doing more fun things you'd rather do, like swimming, or riding a motorbike, and sometimes means you have to do physiotherapy which is hard and also hurts and makes you tired.
Yeah, there's only so bad you can smell, even with exacerbating factors. It doesn't get worse forever.
I don't know about a lot. A few. I broke my collar bone falling out of a tree when I was younger than you and didn't tell my mum until the next day because I wasn't supposed to be up there. Bad plan.
Did it stick out of your body? I want to see a bone sticking out
No, if it'd stuck out I think I would've been too scared not to tell someone. It just swelled up a lot.
The way Sherlock was telling Mrs N he had bones sticking out at all angles and at least one limb had fallen off entirely...
Must've been a leg, and that's why he needs you to carry him around.
I DIDN'T say that
Curry is red, rice is white, better eat up, you'll need the energy tonight.
Who says romance is dead? ;)
Sherlock - not quite. You were rather graphic. And I KNOW some of what you said came from reading other people's accounts of breaking bones.
you'll need the energy tonight.
I have big plans for tonight...they include sleeping...
Oh, speaking of romance, did you get the flowers?
Sherlock - going to show me the card from your class?
I think any big plans may well involve a broken-limbed seven year old taking up part of our bed. And not as much sleep as anyone would like.
Oh, God, I completely forgot! Sorry, sorry, I meant to say something and then with Sherlock's arm and everything... Apologies for being a completely shit boyfriend. They were amazing. (He got me purple and white lisianthus, like we'll probably have at our wedding - delivered to the Yard, to the amusement of my team!) They're still at the yard, and now I haven't been there to appreciate them.
It's all right, I forgot too! Don't worry about it, I just remembered and wanted to know if they actually got there. Yeah, Sherlock's arm drove the whole thing out of my head until...just now pretty much. I'm sorry you two didn't get your date.
Can I come to your office again and everyone can sign my cast and we can get the flowers
your arm isn't going to be big enough for everyone you know, Sherlock.
Perhaps the doctor could put casts on other parts of you as well.
THEY SHOULD PUT ONE ON YOUR FACE
Ah, home sweet home... Eat your dinner, you two, or no ice cream.
Sherlock was determined we shall go on our date some other time. SO I'm sure we will. Give you a night off - maybe if we do it next hols you and Mycroft can do something nice together?
That'd be lovely.
You all sound like you're having a lovely evening, I'm glad you're all back together and having fun :-)
Sherlock's a bit of a rollercoaster, inbetween getting his pills. There is a definite tendency towards grumpiness and cuddling when he's getting closer to time for the next dose. Think he's just beginning to get a bit frustrated too.
I also fear so much sleep during the day means he'll be up late, trying to get back up to his full dose of John.
poor kid :-( I've never broken a bone so I'm not sure how it feels but I can imagine its not nice!
Good luck with the sleep thing for all of you :-)
I DON'T WANT TO GO TO BED
I know you don't, Kiddo. But you will have to. You want to be awake enough to remember all the questions you wanted to ask the person who puts your cast on, don't you?
I'll take him up. You sit down and relax for a while, okay?
kay. rub your shoulders if you do mine when you escape? Don't let him do the sad eyes on you...
Will do. If I'm not down in half an hour I've probably fallen asleep in his room...
probably his plan. Then he'll escape and get into our bed again.
John is SNORING can I have lavender on my pillow like yesterday?
I'll bring some in.
Rub John's belly, it stops him snoring.
i don't snoreeee
Good night, Sherlock--I hope you sleep comfortably tonight and that your trip to the doctor tomorrow goes well and is interesting.
Shabbat shalom to all four of you--I hope tomorrow goes as smoothly and peacefully as possible. :)
(Lavender is a lovely smell. :))
You do snore! In a snuffly way. And you stop when I rub your belly.
Off to bed, you. Stay in your bed, Sherlock. Mycroft...you're old enough to do what you like ;)
I hope you're asleep now Sherlock and that you get enough sleep to feel a bit better in the morning :-)
Enjoy the rest of your evening gentlemen and sleep well when the time comes.
Sherlock now has all our pillows... we'll be sleeping on the cushions off the sofa, I think. John looks like he could sleep anywhere.
I really could. This week has been seriously short on sleep. And decent tea.
nice cuppa in bed? Sherlock may well be in in the night. He woke up quite a few times last night because his arm hurt, or itched, or was too hot, or he was thirsty...
Perfect.
Poor kid, can't blame him.
Yeah. Gave him lots of opportunity to discover the best way of waking me up. He'll pass on all his tips to you if you ask him.
Staring was bizarrely effective.
At least we have half term to get him s ettled back to a normal sleep pattern.
I'm very glad he doesn't have school tomorrow...and I'm sure Mrs N is too.
I remember when I was little and would want to wake my mom up I would stand by the side of the bed and stare. I don't remember why I didn't just wake her up, but it still worked pretty dang well. Almost gave her a heart attacke a time or two, as well.
yeah, he managed that a few times last night, not good for dropping off to sleep again when you're full of adrenalin.
think it's just me and Mycroft awak now. And a dog or two. But i'm defnitely about to drop off.
I'm sorry to hear Sherlock got hurt, but relieved to hear it isn't serious. And glad you're all back together again!
I came home yesterday to find that our Small Brown Dog (we have two, one who's a bit taller than a beagle and one who's roughly the size of a wolfhound) had gone to get her shots and apparently hit her tail on something sharp at the vet, cut it open, and sprayed blood everywhere. Lovely. The vet techs had wrapped her tail up so that it can heal, complete with a plastic sheath-thing. She feels fine, but as she wags her tail and hits things it makes a loud clacking noise, which startles her, only she doesn't seem to connect that the noise is her tail, so she's chasing herself around the room and just looking confused. I have threatened her with the cone of shame but it's an empty threat and we both know it.
I'm not sure why i started this story. Far less stressful than an injured child, but at least with the child you can say, "Don't hit things with your tail and the noise will stop," and he understands you.
-Ella
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