Wednesday night was just like any other. The bigs headed out back to run off some wiggles and Travis and I plopped down in bed to watch a show while playing with McKenna who is never very far away. She is a climber in its truest form. She was on the bed, then off the bed again, then back on the bed. It was about 8PM when she climbed down from the bed and entered the hallway. Within a matter of seconds she let out a shrill cry. You know the one where it catches your attention? Well, this momma didn't move. McKenna ran back into the bedroom and I gently said, "What's wrong baby girl? Come see mommy." And she did. I scooped her up into my arms and she pressed her head into my chest. I was relishing in the snuggles when I saw blood. I quickly asked Travis to flip on the lights. Little Miss's mouth was filled with blood, the front of her dress was blood stained as was our pillow. When she opened her mouth all I could do was gasp and ask Travis to please take her as I immediately felt sick to my stomach as if I was going to throw up. She had bitten through her tongue BAD. After the excitement of the event and after our sweet neighbor, who just happens to be a pediatrician at Children's Mercy, stopped over to evaluate her we tried our damnedest to get a decent picture to no avail. These images don't even begin to touch on the visual aspect of the injury.
Notice her popsicle stained hands and face? It's the best form of icing for a toddler for sure.
She did this non stop for the 1st hour after the accident. She would clamp her top lip into the gaping hole in her tongue. So gross!
Here is the area of the bite "closed"
We approximate the cut measures 1/4 - 1/2 inch across
After many many tries to get a picture I took her into the bathroom where she loves to play in front of the mirror. Wouldn't you know she stuck her tongue right out!
Here is the same image cropped in.
The pediatrician said the only time they render treatment (i.e. stapling and such) is when the tongue is completely severed or if the tongue is split in two. It should begin healing within 5 days. In the meantime we have to keep her on a soft diet and not allow her to eat anything that can become lodged in the "hole" such as corn, anything with seeds, etc. She is living it up on jello, pudding, yogurt, applesauce, bananas, fruit smoothies and popsicles of course!
If I happen to capture a better picture I will be sure to share it. In the meantime I leave you with these adorable images.
The look of orneriness
Priceless
Little Ham
2 comments:
I think the pictures maybe do it justice. I can tell that must have hurt. The cut is halfway across her little tongue. Ouch!
She is so precious the poor little thing!! And she just had to keep admiring her handy work in the mirror. I'm glad she did so we can get a good look at it.
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