SHORT- SYNOPSIS

OK, not so in need of therapuetic writing. I'll give a synopsis.

Eva was riding horse (being led around) on Friday at 2pm. She and another girl were bucked off. Other girl was fine, Eva went by ambulance to Fargo. She has 9 staples in her the back of her head and a skull fracture. She never had loss of consciousness, but doesn't remember all parts. Her neuro assessments have always been clear. CT scan showed no brain abnormalities and there are no fragments of bone that they can see that have affected the inner layer of head/brain. The fracture is kind of like taking an aluminum can and denting it. The current big risk is of meningitis. A PICC (peripheral intravenous central catheter) line was placed, a minor surgery that took 40 minutes longer than expected and almost caused me to jump over the side of the 6 story railing. So, that will remain in her arm and we will administer IV antibiotics 4x/ day that take about 60 minutes to administer. I will not be able to go to work because I'll have to do this. I don't trust my husband, but maybe I'll get to that point. She will not be going to school for at least a week when we return to the neurosurgeon (whom was much, much kinder today if you read the past blog). The fracture will take 6 months to heal, it is not a surgical situation as it wouldn't do much good. She will be on limited activity (no gym, recess, etc) until that is fully healed. She will be at an increased risk of seizures for her entire life (<1%) because of the irritation to her cortex. It is Sunday, and we are going home later this afternoon when a nurse will come out and teach us how to do the meds.

She is not supposed to have visitors at least until after we see the doctor next week and then we will talk about lifting restrictions. Some have asked what to send Eva. Inappropriate gifts would be as follows: A pony, an ATV, stilts, etc. (come on, I can't be sad forever!) Appropriate gifts: movies and arts/crafts. Eva was doing so much better last evening, laughing and joking and telling Chris he's not funny. She's a little "blue" again today after the PICC line placement and her arm really hurts. I can't believe this is the same kid that screams like a crazy person when you cut her toenails and used to cry because she was scared of garbage and bugs outside. She did say that she's still going to cry when we cut her toenails though. She has been tougher than I would be, not even scared of taking a shower or coming her hair and asking to see her staples.

Thanks for all your well wishes. We all love Eva and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Mommy.