Between grief and gratitude: a story about accidents
Travel back with me to 9:30 Saturday morning. Evan and the kids were at a school event. My friend Peter was in town, staying with us for the weekend. He was close by, but not inside with me and Brielle.
I had cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast and was about to prep lasagna for Ella’s birthday party happening that afternoon. The noodles were done and the water was waiting to be drained. Brielle was tired and eager to nurse. I considered leaving the noodles while I fed her and decided on second thought, they had already been sitting for a bit so I’d better drain them now instead of later.
As I went to move the pot, Brielle crawled toward me. It all happened in a flash. I started to slip, the water started to splash, and the pot fell out of my hands! I watched in horror as the hot water fell onto my baby girl sitting below it. She started to scream, and I quickly picked her up and hurried to the bath. As I took off her clothes and began rinsing her with the cool water, I heard myself saying over and over again 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺!! 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺!!
I was focused on the right side of her head that I could see was burned, not realizing her arm was still in the sleeve of a soaking wet shirt. Once I got it off I started to focus on that area too. I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I just knew I needed to keep it cool.
I’ve learned from this experience, room temperature water is better than cool water. The body will send blood to the wound to help it heal and if the water is too cold it stops the blood flow. I also was made aware the extreme temperature change could potentially send the body into shock. This was all explained to me as we sat in the ambulance on the way from one hospital to another.
Rewinding back a few hours, my friend Peter came into the kitchen and saw the pot, water and noodles all over the floor and knew something wasn’t right. He heard us in the bathroom as I told him Brielle had gotten burned. He supported us every step forward, putting the car seat in his car, driving us to the nearest hospital, and then waiting with us for the next three hours until we were transferred to another hospital. I’m so grateful he was at the house when all of this happened. 𝘚𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭.
Brielle had waited long enough to nurse, I knew that I needed to offer her that before we headed to the hospital. I kept cool cloths on her arm and forehead as I fed her. She appreciated the milk, the comfort of being close, and unlatched whenever she needed to cry.
On the way to the hospital she was starting to doze off. When we arrived, my first encounter was with the security officer. He radiated peace. As I started to say why I was there I couldn’t hold back the tears, 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 I told him. I was so relieved to be in a spot I could get her the help she needed. She was resting her head on my shoulder as I heard him say, she’s beautiful.
We were attended to quickly. Her burns were evaluated and we were told the only burn center in Connecticut was about an hour from where we were. They’d send over photos for evaluation and let us know if we’d need to transfer. They wrapped her arm and I nursed her again. That’s when she was finally able to fall into a deep sleep and nap a long while!
When Brielle woke up we were placing her in the car seat to go via ambulance to Bridgeport hospital. The hour long ambulance ride felt short. The paramedic was wonderful company and we talked most of the trip while Brielle enjoyed Cocomelon music and some rounds of peek-a-boo.
By this point, it was 2:00pm and Ella’s party was starting in just over an hour. She and I were so disappointed that I’d be missing it. AJ and Evan saved the day by making the lasagna, and the girls helped Evan with the rest of the prep so that everyone at the party could still enjoy food together. (Thankfully I’ve learned how to radically change my holidays and the menu was very basic!!)
Once the paramedics wheeled Brielle in we were taken to the burn unit. The first nurses we saw were warm and friendly. They immediately took off the bandages and evaluated the burn. Then they spoke the best news of the day! We were going to be able to leave within minutes, they said! The doctor would come to take a look, new bandages would be put on, and off we’d go!
Sure enough that’s what happened. We were on our way by 3:30. That meant we would actually make it for the last half of Ella’s party. My heart felt happy and grateful. 𝘚𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭.
The hour long Uber ride felt special. We were able to spend time with Stefano, an author and musician who came from Italy 12 years ago in pursuit of his dreams!
When we arrived to Ella’s party I was greeted by Evan and my brother Dan who both asked me how I was. I felt the rush of tears come to my eyes, and I told them I’d rather let my tears surface later on. I wanted to celebrate my 8 year old!!!
At 6:30 that evening I stepped into my quiet house, holding Brielle in my arms, and I stood in the spot it all happened. I closed my eyes and welcomed any emotions that wanted to surface. I heard myself saying out loud how grateful I was that my baby was okay. It could have been so much worse. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘚𝘰 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭.
