my poor first born has a broken face.

coming out of church I notice I have missed calls on my cell phone.
message one: Mom, um I might be going to the hospital, I think I may have a broken nose, I am FINE don't worry I will call you later.
Message two: UUUMMMM MOOOM, this is Dominique I am at Mercy Hospital, I don't have my insurance card, so I gave them my SS card instead. Don't worry I think I will be fine. My friend is with me. I will call you later.
OK many MANY thoughts went through my mind, he gave me just enough info to say "WHAT???" and not enough to decide how to feel. and of course in my van I had all the monsters accept for LIJ so Madison began her usual reaction FREAKING OUT! I called Scott and told him we needed to pull over and switch vehicles so I could go to the hospital. We pulled over, switched they went home and I began my slide into Des Moines to the hospital, by this time the roads were terrible.
Along the way I called Dominique- who was, after nearly 2 hours still in the waiting room. Of course he was, it WAS the last night of a holiday weekend with snow and Ice to boot. But, when I arrived he was in the back waiting for x-ray. Let me tell you, I was a bit worried when I passed all the crazies who were wiating in line most of them demanding to be seen, some just glaring at my nerve to walk in off the street and go right back. I have to say, when I saw him, he looked awful! Swollen and getting bigger as we sat. Eye turning black. He looked like he was in a lot of pain. BUT craziness overtook him. When they offered him pain meds, he politely declined. I tried to explain he would likely want them as the hours pass and the swelling, swells. He did not change his mind. So, there I sat as the time ticked on watching my first born grimace in pain with every twich, or sensation that crept over his face. Why is it those feelings only occur when you are in pain?
You hear all kinds of interesting stories behinde curtains in the ER. But That Is an entirely different story!
After about an hour of me siting there he was taken down for x-rays. more waiting- watching-listening to the oddities of the ER unfold around me hiding behinde curtains. Dominique's friend napped in the waiting room almost the entire time. snoring I am sure.
Finally the doc arrived. examined. pushed. poked. does that hurt? color drained completely from his face...'uuhhhhggg yeah' was about all he could muster in response. she left. then came bcak. more poking, more questions, neuro stuff. be right back. came back Again. offered pain meds again. no thanks. (the lady next door would have gladly taken all his refuse and it didn't sound like she even needed them.)
The verdict...broken nose! Slight concussion (is that # 5??? yup, I think so) and possible fractured right cheek bone. But the swelling is too much to be able to tell for sure. Are you sure you don't want any pain meds? Maybe I will take some ibuprofen. Sleep elevated, do nothing for 24 hours, call a specialist first thing in the morning they will have to set the nose when the swelling is gone, and evaluate that cheek too. more instructions on bleeding and dizziness etc. no script for pain.
I bought him and his friend food at McDonalds on the way back to his dorm. They both wanted milk shakes. 20 degrees outside and they had milk shakes. Me? I had a HOT MOCHA COFFEE! Then I took his friend home and I arrived home at exactly Midnight.
Talked to his instrucors at the college today. Hopefully he can make up the days classes. Made an appointment for Wed. afternoon to see about the nose, and cheek.
Tonight we went into town and bought him more tylenol and some food and Grape Pop (his favorite). He still looks terrible. Hopefully the swelling is gone by Wed.
So if you think about it pray for my boy and his broken face.