Friday night we headed upstairs for the nighttime ritual of getting in PJs, etc. So Tyler was running at top speed (no surprise there), tripped going into his room and clipped his wooden bed post with his lip/chin. Tears, blood (not a crazy amount), and the quick realization that he needed a couple of stitches. So instead of chilling before bed, we were headed to Righttime Pediatrics.
I figured we'd get the stitches and then be on our way home. Trouble was the doctor there seemed very concerned that the cut crossed the vermillion border (where your skin meets the pink of your lip). The issue is that the skin of your lip heals differently than the skin of your face, so there is a great risk for a poor outcome (i.e., being noticeable). That doctor called some plastic surgeons on my behalf (none would help on a Friday night) and one recommended going to Balt/Wash Hospital who has "plastics" on call. I was also told kids heal super fast so this was something I should move on quickly. So off to the next hospital shortly before 10pm.
Once at the hospital, they quickly gave me a dose of reality -- plastic surgeons come only if they want to and they were doubting one would come (so I'm thinking I went into the wrong profession). The attending doctor was also much more confident that Tyler's lip would come together well and judged the cut as bordering the vermillion line rather than crossing it (a good thing). So just before midnight I wanted to just get the show on the road and had the attending stitch him up. Tyler got the numbing juice injected, and then two stitches. Just a few more tears, but was so brave. And charming -- he won over all of the emergency room staff. He told the attending, "I like you ... You are happy!" She said he was her favorite patient of the night. And a nurse got him a toy giraffe. All of the wonderful staff made a not-so-fun situation so much better.
Tyler didn't get to bed until 1am but was SO sweet and well behaved the entire time. What a trouper!
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