Homecoming Injury

Saturday was slated to be a very busy day. We had to forego the John Stuart/Stephen Colbert rally because Maryland's Homecoming game was scheduled at 3:00, and Orlando and I agreed that Anastasia would have more fun tailgating and watching football. After the game, our friend Matt was hosting a cocktail party at his soon to be opened restaurant, then the night was scheduled to end with a going away party our friend Ann who is also one of Anastasia's favorite babysitters.

The Tailgate started about 11:00, with lots of food, and our usual crowd of friends. Nine years ago, when we started going to Maryland football games, Brooke was a one year old baby who'd just started walking. That season, she gave herself a serious knot on the head at a tailgate. She's grown into a very pretty girl who, for a while, took charge of the soundtrack to our party.



Anastasia and Kara enjoyed playing in the cars, building forts and painting each other's faces. Kara got a little creative with her M's, but the result was cute.



Unfortunately, our day's schedule got derailed as we were walking up to the stadium. Anastasia asked for "1-2-3-whee" so, we swung her between us as we've done hundreds of times before. This time, though, she landed in tears as her elbow had pulled into what we later learned is a common childhood injury called "Handmaid's Elbow". She was in agony.

We carried her into the stadium and straight to First Aid. They told us in no uncertain terms that she had an injury that required a Dr. (which they didn't have on staff). Anastasia was quite upset about having to miss the football game, so Orlando took her to say goodbye to Brooke and Kara before we left for the ER. (Though we didn't see it, Maryland routed the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 62-14)

While we waited, we played doctor and Orlando provided her with his own brand of entertainment. This is one way to blow up a balloon, though maybe not the way I would choose.



The doctor came and tried to reset her arm, but was only partially successful. We went home, hoping that given time the tendon would pop out on its own. That didn't happen. Instead, little girl had a very long and unhappy night. Early the next morning, Anastasia and I made another trip to the ER. A different doc took a look, and after carefully considering his options, decided to try to manipulate the elbow one more time. This time, there was a distinct pop as the tendon moved into the right place, and in moments, Anastasia was using her left hand again.



Our plans for Saturday may have gotten scrapped, but an equally busy Sunday was saved.