A fight with Progresso

Tuesday morning I took the girls to their swim lesson and then came home.  Emma asked if she could have soup for lunch.  I said sure, as this is what she requests at least once a week.  So, I proceeded to open one of the safety easy open cans of tomato soup.  Everything was fine until I went to rinse the can out.  Why does one have to get all the soup out of the can?  Because our house is infested with ants, so anything that hits our recycling bin needs to be as clean as I can make it.  Well, a clean can is not what ended up happening.  Instead a very cut thumb.  

Now, as a mother (or father), we all know all the gross and disgusting things we need to clean up from our children.  I could list them, but I would rather let you use your own imaginations.  Blood is not something that tends to gross me out, unless it is my own.  I knew the instant I cut it that it was not just a cut.  The pain was instantaneous.  I was on the phone with Brian at the time and told him what I did and that I needed to call someone before I passed out.  That is exactly what I did.  Thank goodness my neighbor Kelly was home.  She was here in 30 seconds flat with her two children in toe.  AMAZING!!!  It was a good thing she came too.  I was literally moments from passing out.  She was such a good nurse.  She took me outside, got me some water, wrapped up my boo-boo and stayed until she knew I was going to be ok.  Something I will be thankful for forever.

Well this all happened at 11:45.  I was feeling a  little better, but once the adrenaline wore off, I was hurting pretty bad.  What else do you do when you get a boo-boo but call your Mom.  She kept suggesting that I go have it looked at if for no other reason than peace of mind.  Of course, she immediately dropped everything she was doing and was here in no time.  She watched the girls while I went to the ER.

As far as ER visits go, it was an exceptional one.  In and out in an hour with 3 ambulances, 12 patients who came in after I did in that hour, and a very overworked staff who all had great senses of humor (I guess you have to to work in the ER).  They all treated me with utmost care and sensitivity.  When all was said and done, the doctor said he was going to put two stitches in because the cut was directly on the inside of the knuckle and neither glue nor just letting it heal on it's own was going to work.  So, he gave me two injections of novocaine and told me to lay back because I wasn't looking too good.  When I told the Dr. that I was going to pass out while he was putting the stitches in he went and got me a cold towel to put behind my head.  If something like this had to happen, this was how it should go.

Since then I have quickly learned just how important opposable thumbs really are.  Try hooking up a bra with no thumb.  How about picking up a 2 year old?  Blow drying my hair hasn't happened.  Buttoning a pair of pants?  Not happening.  

But out of every bad thing come many good things if you are willing to stop and look.  I didn't have to wash dishes, my children and husband have been really wonderful and patient with me.   When I told Rebecca that she had to watch out for my thumb she said, "Mommy, I will fix it.  Do you want Kitty Band Aid or Pet Shop Band Aid?"  When I got angry because I couldn't do something Emma stepped right in and said, "Mommy it is ok.  I will help you."

Although I had a fight with a soup can and lost I have won in so many other more important ways.  Thanks Progresso!  However, next time I might let the ants just have a little snack instead of trying to wash out the can.