The Dingo ate my baby!

Well okay, it wasn't a dingo, It was a dog actually, a dog who took a chunk out of my babies lip today at Daycare. Apparently they were dancing around and Mattie leaned down and startled him. The dog reacted by taking a chunk out of his lip. I was told it was a tiny little thing on the corner of his mouth but when I got there it was much worse than she'd described to me. After a call to my pediatrician we were instructed to head to Primary Children's. Because it was on his face, and likely needed stitches, they sent us right up to the experts. When we were walking in I saw my friend Randi from my unit. I told her we were headed to the ER, and she promised to come see us when her shift was over. We sat in the waiting room for about 30 minutes while Mattie arranged and re-arranged the chairs for entertainment. Finally it was time to go back. Randi and My other friend Emily came about the same time. He was so brave. This is the inside of his lip (obviously). Pretty Nasty and swollen.. The Dr couldn't tell how many stitches he would need because it was such a mess.
Randi and Emily were wonderful! Randi helped entertain Mattie with her phone, and a continuous supply of books. Emily happened to have her camera in her purse and knew I would want pictures. (they're so good to me!). When the Dr came in to look at him he was so cute and did exactly what she asked. When she brought out her light, he touched it just like he always does at our pediatricians. He knew exactly what to do, and didn't complain. We were all laughing at how compliant he was being.

Emily had to go back up to the desk, but My friend Jorja came down shortly after, and joined Randi in keeping us company. I was so grateful.

It was decided that he'd need to be sedated to clean up the wound and stitch it up. They sent another Doctor in whom was apparently really good at stitches. He was awesome, and did such a good job. He wasn't sure what he would need to do until he could get the wound cleaned up.. There was already dead tissue that he had to remove to stitch his lip together.

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Here he is as they're prepping him for the sedation He did NOT like the pulse ox on his foot.

I totally lost it when they sedated him and started wrapping him up. He was crying so hard, and they insisted that Randi, Jorja and I sit in chairs so that they wouldn't have to worry about us passing out. (as if we would, HELLO we do it everyday!!).. It was pure torture listening to him cry and knowing that I couldn't do anything for him. I had to leave the room. Jorja walked with me while I composed myself to go back in. (I'm such a baby). I could hear him down the hall and around the corner it was awful! As they were finishing up the Nurse asked him if he wanted a popsicle. even though he was still obviously out of it, he nodded his head making us all laugh and at the same time breaking my heart.

When they were finally through, his mouth looked ten times better. They let me hold him immediately, and went off for the goodies.

He insisted on both popsicles even though he wasn't ready to eat them.

I just held him while they melted all over his hands.

They gave us a slushie to try and he loved it. when it was gone he finished off the last of his mushy popsicles. I was so glad.. He hadn't eaten since before lunch time.

It was an awful experience and I am so sad that Mattie had to go through it. Its mandatory to report any animal bite so I had to fill out a form on the dog at the daycare. Mattie will be on Antibiotics and the stitches will dissolve.

I am so grateful for the wonderful Friends I have, and the support they gave me.. thank you so much Randi, Emily, and Jorja.. If I had to turn into a puddle, I am glad I had you guys to keep me going. thank you so much.