Dad's Diary: ER Nightmare

few nights ago, we heard My Keiki crying in his room a little after 11 p.m. We went in to see what was troubling him and found him covered in blood. He had hit his face on something, perhaps his bed footboard and had cut his lip deeply. It was clear he would need stitches.

We went to the emergency room at an area hospital anticipating he would need to be sedated in order to be treated. We’ve tried to prepare My Keiki for medical visits. We’ve “practiced” and done everything that the experts suggest, but he has a very significant aversion to medical facilities.

As we approached the door, I could see that the emergency room looked packed. I tried to help My Keiki calm down by walking around outside for about 30 minutes but he would not stop crying.

We needed to get in and get out so I decided to just go in the ER lobby and let him scream. I know that’s awful for everyone else, but seriously, my kid was the only bloody person in the whole ER so I feel justified in forcing the issue a little.

The nurses were arrogant and disinterested in our recommendations which resulted in a failed IV attempt that caused My Keiki’s skin to poke up off his arm. I’ll never forget how My Keiki looked at me as I restrained his legs and arm with all the force I could gather. I’m certain I’ve lost his trust.

He eventually got four stitches under sedation, but once he awoke he screamed some more until we finally left. The whole experience was a nightmare and reminded me of just how phenomenal the care is we have received at Primary Children’s Medical Center over the years. (Clarification: This story did NOT take place at the Primary Children's Medical Center emergency room. It took place at a hospital ER closer to home. This experience at a different emergency room reminds me of how lucky we are to have PCMC less than an hour away for surgeries, specialty care, etc.)

We finally got home at 3 a.m. Door-to-door, it was four hours.