Panic

Well, I am sure everyone has already heard, but I am writing for posterity now.

Tara got part of her right hand middle finger cut off by a pair of scissors on Wednesday morning. It was chaos.

I was using the scissors to cut coupons and when I was done I set them on the counter. I went to get something out of my wallet and I heard a scream. It was that quick. I turned to see Kate with a pair of scissors and yelled for John. As I look at Tara she is bleeding and John takes her to the sink. He starts saying, "Oh God, Oh God. Part of her finger is missing." I lost it. John was not dressed (he was about to get in the shower and he threw me a washrag to put on her hand. He handed me both kids and tried to get clothed. He took Kate back and yelled at me to GO. No way. I could not drive and hold her finger. We just could not get ourselves together enough to get her to the doctor. I told John to call 911. The operator wanted to talk to me and he handed me the phone. She wanted to ask me questions but there was no way I would be able to hear her with Tara screaming.

Ambulance arrives and we get Tara wrapped up and taken care of. He called the hospital and got an order to give her a shot of morphine. She seemed much better and even attempted to fall asleep during the second half of the ride.

The ER was horrible and the doc was nasty. He told me she'd be disfigured for life. JerK! Her pedi told us that because of her age, she would most likely grow back perfectly. I hope that she is right.

We have started a treatment that is somewhat new to the medical community. It's a product called Matristem and it is used to cover the would and stimulate tissue and cell growth. They've been using it on Iraq war veterans that have hand injuries. They've opened up old wounds and applied the product and have been growing portions of their fingers back. Not entire fingers, but enough to make them functioning again. It's very encouraging.