Family Natters

Annie had to be rushed to hospital today… because of a single hair wrapped around a toe (toe tourniquet syndrome). I didn’t think all the drama was necessary but as our local doctor classed it as an emergency I went along with her.

Anyway, Annie was in top form and had no discomfort from her toe at all. During transit she kept opening the blinds of the ambulance and knocking on the window while repeatedly shouting “Iya” at passer-bys. This was while she was wearing as a hat the sick bowl you’re provided with. I’m sure all the people who had to pull their cars over to make way for us appreciated her smiling and knocking at them.

In fact the patient seemed to be feeling better than I was. Strapped down, travelling backwards and being jumped on by an excited toddler had made me nauseous, and I had to urgently wrestle her for the sick bowl.

At Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital she soon had a crowd of medical staff to show off to. Apparently a hair around a toe is fairly uncommon so lots of people wanted to see it and take photos. Toys were brought out for an examination, and when Annie became absorbed with blowing bubbles, the surgeon said he would try to remove the hair without anaesthetic. Bad decision. Annie was still wearing one of her  Pedro bootsnwhich are so hard, they’re s bit like steel toe-caps; and when he knelt down so his head was on level with one foot, she kicked him in the face with the other. Ouch! He must have wished he’d put her to sleep after all.

But give Annie her due, other than that (and blowing bubbles in the surgeon’s face while he was using his scalpel) she was no trouble. Indeed she only became upset when the nurse tried to take away the bubbles.