One Fell Off And Bumped His Head

After picking Nathan up from school on Wednesday, we waited in the courtyard for Victoria's mom, Lisa. I wanted to offer some play dates to ease some of her stress while they focus on repatriation, packing out...all that fun stuff. Chat, chat, chat, then with one missed step, everything changed. 

Nathan started to cry, a positive sign. His forehead had immediately swollen and had a grayish hue. I had never seen anything like it. 

When Lisa and I got a glimpse of his head, she said, "Oh that's bad, that's really bad. I will help you get him to a doctor." Then we both realized we had no idea where to go. Note: it's Wednesday and offices close midday. She ran up to ask Verity, the owner of Crazy Caterpillars, for help. She took one look at Nathan and said, "Go. Go NOW." 

Now my alarm bells were really going off. In that moment I hate this expat adventure. "Go Where? I don't know where to go." 

Then it turns back to love. Verity grabs Evy and shouts commands in German and English, and before I know it, Nate and I are in the back of Beatrice's (another Mom) car and headed to the doc. He is still open plus she has his cell number. She's Swiss but speaks Japanese, English, German and French. I am in the right car with the right person.

We are rushed into an exam room but the nurse doesn't immediately get the doctor--another good sign. We reunite with my youngest and Verity at the doc's. She stays with me in case we need to head to the children's hospital. 

We are prescribed Arnica (heard of this stuff? AMAZING.) and ibuprofen. 48 hour concussion watch begins. The doc advises that because the hematoma is significant, the blood will move down to his eye area and likely result in a black eye. But mostly, "Alles klar." (All clear.)

WHEW. Could have been so, so much worse. (Am I right? Looking at you, Jen Geer, and thinking of the thumb emergency and your Paris ambulance ride.)

As I delivered the thank you flowers* to Crazy Caterpillars the next day, I told Verity if it had to happen I am glad it happened right outside school with other expat Moms. Moms that remember what it feels like to "not know," but now have a couple on-a-strange-continent-emergencies under their belt and can now give the help they once received a few years (and four countries) ago. 

"We've all been there, you'll do the same thing one day" she said.  She's right. One day I will be the one to call in a favor to have someone pick up my kids from school, like she did, so I can help someone through their emergency because I understand the language, or because I have a car, or because I know the doctor. Because I can help. And I will. Because I remember what it feels like to be in that moment to just "not know." And what's more, I also know what it feels like to be surrounded by people who do. 

This picture (several hours after the incident), doesn't do it justice. It originally looked like he had a steamed dumpling on his forehead.

Swelling down!

That's Heidi in the background wearing green. Best neighbor ever.

Special delivery

:) sbc

PS--Over a chuckle Verity advised me to locate--without being under duress--the 24-hour urgent care clinic near our house, as surely this will not be my only bump with "all boy" Nathan. Clinic located! 

*Hat tip to my next door neighbor/flower shop owner...she made the bouquets very special and sent me off with a huge bunch of tulips "for my fun."