As a mom I just need a place to scream and cry and let it all out, you ladies are the best so here I am.
My family returned from our spring break vacation on saturday. My 12 year old boy wants to go play with a friend since we were out of town on friends birthday. Okay, fine, go have fun. Not 20 minutes later he comes screaming into the house "Mom, there's an arrow in my arm!" At first I thought, stupid pre-teen joke, but then the fear in his voice hit me. I drop everything and ran to him, and yes there is an arrow lodged in his upper right arm, backside of arm. (Nerd note, listening to the Dr's talk, it finally registered what side is posterior).
I freaked out, a million questions went running through my head…Do I call 911…No, it will take too long…Get in car and go….Stop car move him to the backseat so he can lean over….Which hospital do I go to…I know there is one close, but I can't remember where it is at…head to hospital I do know…Should I take him to Children's Mercy…No, the hospital I'm heading to is closer…must get to ER, must get to ER, must get to ER. I try and drive smoothly, but every little bounce hurts him. I get to the ER, run in screaming for help, he gets wheeled in while I move car to a parking space, get inside waiting room and all eyes are on my son. We go straight to a room and next thing I know the room is filled with Dr.'s, nurses, EMS trainee, a counselor comes to help me. It was INSANE.
He is seen by a general surgeon, trauma surgeon, vascular surgeon, Dr of radiology, has a ton of x-rays and ultrasounds, lots and lots of talking, what type of arrow, what type of tip. Discussion with maintenance people about what would be the best instrument to cut the arrow to a shorter length. My inner voice is screaming get it out! Finally the decision is made, don't cut the arrow..it's carbon fiber and will shatter, do more damage…no evidence of vein/artery being cut, no blood pooling, arrow tip is a practice tip…smooth no barbs….no surgery needed, just gonna take it out.
I learned in high school that I have a strong reaction to anything medical, especially blood, it's makes me extremely faint. How I dealed with everything up until this point I still can't explain. The final discussion with the 3 surgeons and radiologist sends me over the edge. I was sitting next to my son and about passed out, would have fallen if I was standing up. I then get wheeled out of his room into the waiting room while they take out the arrow.
Once it is all over, I asked the ER Dr. assigned to him how close was it. His reply…there were 4 Dr's in the room for a reason. At that point it hit me, I could have lost my son. I'm still in shock over this. My older son does archery, so my younger son knows better than to be by the target when someone is shooting. He waited until his friend put the bow on the ground, then went to look at the target. His friend then fired at the target, hitting my son instead. I don't think friend intended to hit him, but also didn't think of the dangers either…typical teenage behavior. To make it worse, the friend is a Boy Scout and KNOWS better. I literally want to put my son in a plastic bubble at this point. I know I can't, but it's a tempting idea.
I know this is long, sorry for that. I just needed to get this off my chest. I have tried to play it off as a stupid mistake, but my heart is doubled over in pain. Just want to let some of it go.