Sunday, August 7, 2011

Counting our blessings

This past Wednesday is a day I'll never forget. Paige had been invited to go to a waterpark in our area with a friend. I knew the friend through dance, but had never met her family. I have friends who know the mom and dad and always so spoke highly of them. I knew the little girl was very sweet, so I didn't have too many reservations. Besides, I was just going to be running errands that day, so Paige wouldn't enjoy that.

The last thing I said to her when she left for the waterpark was, "Be careful. Have fun! I love you".

Fast forward six hours and I am home cleaning. The phone rings and it's the mom who Paige went to the park with. She said very calmly that there had "been a little accident" ... those words are the ones that you never want to hear. She said that Paige was en route to V@nderbilt hospital via an ambulance and we should get down there asap. I.FREAKED.OUT!!! As I got into my car, the EMT called and said they had changed their mind and were taking her to a closer hospital. I took that as a good sign and said I would meet them there. About five minutes went by and the EMT called me back and said the hospital turned her away due to the nature of the accident and to meet them in the ER at V@nderbilt Children's Hospital.

At this point, all I knew per the EMT was that her vitals looked good and that he thought she was going to be ok, but couldn't tell me much more.

I got across town in record speed and flew in the ER. The lady at the front desk said "Who are you here for?". I said, "Paige ... " she ran me back to her room, because she saw how frantic I was.

As I entered Paige's room, she was lying flat on her back, hooked up to IV's and was red from crying. She couldn't lift up her head, because they had her restrained. They were trying to keep her still before they took her back to xray.

I have never been so scared in my entire life. When I walked in, she started crying and said she was hurting. Her eyes looked very hazy and I knew she was scared. I kissed her and told her she would be just fine.

In the meantime the mom and Paige's friend arrived at the ER. Both were absolutely hysterical, so I had to calm them down :/ However, after hearing about what happened, I can now understand why. Paige was on a ride where it looks like a giant skate ramp. You go down one side 20 feet and go up the other side 20 feet. You land in the middle in a puddle of water. Apparently, per Paige's little friend, the teenager who was working the slide pushed Paige's raft before she had planted herself in it. The raft took off without her and she fell ( air born ) 20 feet to the bottom where she rolled up the ramp and then rolled back down. The lifeguards pulled the sirens and rescued her.

Turns out all that baby endured was a concussion and full body contusions. The doctor in the ER said she was a living miracle, because per the EMT report, she should have had a broken neck or back.

My baby was able to walk (slowly) out of that ER and enjoy a frosty and hug from a new teddy bear and actually went to school the next morning.

Everyone who knows Paige knows she is a TOUGH COOKIE. She is stubborn and that will serve her well in life. However, I have NO DOUBT that God has BIG plans for this child of ours. She will do big things. Blessed!

photo

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, thank the Lord that she is okay. What a miracle and blessing she is.

Sherri said...

I can't even imagine how scary that was....for you and for her. Reading your FB status that day was scary enough! I'm glad she's ok, the lucky girl. And look at her smiling with a sunburn and giving the thumbs up while laying in a hospital bed unable to move. You have quite the girl there Missy!!! LOL!!
Oh ya: Happy Back to School!! My kids have another month before they go back. Mark starts high school *gasp*

Gail said...

She sure IS one tough cookie!!! God was watching out for your girl, from what you described she could have had much more severe injuries. So happy that she's okay Missy!

xoxo

Robin said...

WOW ... I had goose bumps after reading this!! I am S.O. glad to hear that she is doing ok. God was watching out for that sweet little Paige!! WOW ... {{HUGS}}

Jboo said...

Oh my word -- have been so worried about her and all of you! What an accident! So relieved she is ok!

Happy back to school to Paige and you too!

Janet

Colleen said...

Oh my gosh, how horribly frightening! I am so sorry that happened. Thank heaven's Paige is all right. (And I hope they fired that teenage ride attendant.)

Laurie said...

OH my gosh, I was so scared reading this post! That is such a nightmare, and why I'm nervous every time my kids are with others and out of my sight. Not that it couldn't happen on my watch, for sure, but it just makes you more nervous when they're away from you! I'm so happy Paige is doing just fine. Very blessed indeed!

Amy Maze said...

omg! reading this scared me to death! i can't imagine experiencing it! i'm so glad she is ok! what a tough cookie she is! tell her take care of herself!

Jessie said...

Oh my goodness Missy, how very frightening. I am so thankful Paige is okay. Praying she has no ill effects from this.

j-chin said...

So glad that everything turned out fine for Paige. God bless.

Courtney said...

So thankful she is okay. What a scare for you guys.

Sharon said...

I'm so happy that Paige is okay and I can't believe how well you handled it...both of you. This is so scary and I can only imagine how absolutely thankful you are that she is okay. I have to go take a big deep breath now....lol

Rydley said...

What a completely horrifying story! I'm so sorry you all went through that! I'm so thankful that she is doing well.

Mireille said...

OMG, come back from vacation, and start to read my favorite blogs again and read THIS!! Scared the heck out of me!! And I got tears in my eyes for Paige, but when I came to the end I am glad to read that all is well!! Give her a big hug from me!! Big things are awaiting her for sure!!

3 Peanuts said...

Oh my goodness....SO SO SO SO scary. I am so glad she is fine. I would love to see a photo of Paige when she was in kinder. Some times I look at her and I really think Kate looks like her. I would love to see what she looked liked when she was little:)