In which Tweenager Daughter breaks her arm and her pediatrician rides to the rescue
Through a series of unfortunate events, I spent a fair amount of time in my local ED and pediatrician’s office. Tweenager Daughter broke her arm at gymnastics, with just one week to go before the state championships. Needless to say, there are a lot of long faces at my house, including my own. Watching her compete this season has been a joy, as it has lifted me up just watching her.
The ED visit was a complete disaster. We waited for an hour and a half in an empty ED before being seen. I looked at the Xrays with the ED doc, and we both noted the fracture. The radiologist at the hospital called while we were there and confirmed the break. The ED doc sent her home in a sling, with an instruction sheet on “sprains”! No splint was applied, no pain medications given, no warmth to a young girl whose entire season concluded with a misplaced hand on a vault table. The nicest person to us was the lady who took our registration information and handed us some warm blankets as we waited in the cold, empty lobby.
The next day I came to my senses and called Tweenager Daughter’s pediatrician. By some miracle, he was in the office on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He told us to come right in. The good doctor applied a splint, gave a prescription for pain medication, and applied a soothing balm to the soul.
Tweenager Daughter is still horribly depressed about missing the state championships. However, she is in less pain, and actually slept last night. Thank you Dr. W. for that!
Tags: ED, pediatrics, primary care
Oh, so sorry to hear that Pookie MD. I wish her a speedy heal-job and you lots of patience!!