“Have we already been to bed dad?”
This sentence was the first sign that something was wrong – very wrong. At first, I thought this child was joking, despite him knowing that health / injury is nothing to ever be joked about in this family…
As I questioned him, it still seemed just like he was joking, until, after about 3 minutes he ‘jerked’ a little and his eyes went funny and the same sequence of questions came out. No one could act this…
I called the two children who were near him when he came off his bike. I was of the understanding it was just a small fall as the cries didn’t last long and I thought he was back on his bike riding – but he wasn’t.
They had been riding together when this tough as nails boy went over the handle bars landing head first into the sand – his bike on top of him. Not at super high speed, not from a height and into soft sand.
Surely this couldn’t have done any damage?
And especially with this child – the knocks & tumbles he has shrugged off have been huge at times. AT times, I have felt eggs on his head that made me feel queasy, though have seen that he has been fine and felt God said all was well. But something was very wrong this time.
Sharmini and I both felt that we need to follow up. We requested prayer form a few people and made the call.
The ambulance came quickly and confirmed that something was quite wrong.
In hindsight, I probably should have gotten Sharmini to go – I was in the middle of a cold and well over due for getting some rest after doing too much – the last thing I needed was a long night…
The trip to the hospital was eye opening and would have been very worrying without knowing God was in control.
The boy would ‘wake up’ (though not asleep) with a jerk and be totally confused as to where he was, and why. I would explain each time ‘you have had a bike accident so you can’t remember & we are going to the hospital so then can check you out’.
He would calm down, but his eyes were not alright.
I would talk & ask questions, and it became apparent that he had near total confusion and a blackout now of at least 3-4 days. Even the severe cut he got yesterday was completely forgotten. This led to more bewilderment as he would keep asking why he had a dressing on that finger.
After the 1.5 hour journey to hospital it became apparent that we were not in for a short stint. Saturday and the place was packed – right next to us on both sides in paediatrics were some very, very sick children who were screaming none stop. Sleep was impossible due to the pain in my back, the noise and this boys constant questions & need of explanation.
I think it was around 1am that the doctor had a chance to go over him fully, though the nurses were monitoring closely. He was saying that there was indication of a bleed or bruising and the eyes were reacting differently.
But due to the long wait – the length of time that had passed I could see signs of improvement. He was more aware of his surroundings and the ‘recurring memory cycle’ was longer (about 7 minutes) and less severe. Definite progress.
The doctor was happy to hold off on the cat scan until morning but wasn’t willing for us to travel or be far from the hospital, so they would arrange a bed for me next to my son. By now, if it weren’t for my back I could have easily slept on the chair – or standing up – but was now waiting for the nurses to move us.
I think this happened around 2am – 3am. Very, very thankful to get some shut eye in between the nurses monitoring. In the morning he was very, very different. He could now remember some of what had happened during the night and the memory cycle seemed to have stopped. When the nurses checked his eyes each time, it was a quick flick and ‘yep’ instead of repeated studying & taking notes with the ‘oh dear’ thrown in.
Breakfast was served – which he was allowed and the doctor came soon after, very happy with his progress and explaining the signs to monitor & activity to avoid over the next 6 weeks. We were out within 10 minutes – in a daze, but out.
We walked to Hungry Jacks to have a bite then walked to the bus station to catch a bus to the swap meet to meet Sharmini who was leaving home.Too sick to spread germs at church – lets go to etc swap meet!
At the station, I noticed a mum & daughter being helped by the attendants to try to get change out of the machine. They all failed so I approached & asked how much they needed.
I had just enough change in my wallet so gave it to them with a $1 million tract. They were very, very thankful – though as they left they stated ‘it was for the vending machine’.
What?
We go out of our way to not waste money and avoid sugar (mostly lol), now I was giving strangers money to buy over priced sugar? This concussed boy might have no memory but he noticed this! “Don’t vending machines have bad food dad?”. As I explained it was a good use of money to plant a seed for Jesus, I debated with myself. Did I do the wrong thing? I won’t even buy my own kids a treat! “God knows our heart Big M lets pray that they come to know Jesus because of bad food!”
A few minutes later the song girl approached me with her hand out – returning the money. “The vending machine was working” I sympathised with her (and thanked God – Wahoo! ha ha) but later debated – should I have given her the money anyway? Overtired is one thing but no need to over think! Lord have Your way in these people! Amazing how God redeemed that little bit of cash – we got to give them the tract with good feeling and the money returned! (He’s so big!)
I noticed the lady & daughter talking with a few others – presumably the whole family was embarking on a holiday – talking & pointing at us.
Just then the phone rang and Sharmini asked me to check if the swap meet was on – and it wasn’t so we walked back to Hungry Jacks to meet them after a rest. Maybe this whole aside was for these people? Please pray for them – who knows!
It was a long day to get home (& do shopping along the way) but now we are all back together, at home and looking forward to some sleep!
We are all very grateful for the outcome and the people who prayed. I am convinced that things could have been very, very different.
I am amazed at a few things over the last 24 hours:
How God prepares us:
God spoke to this boy on the morning of the accident clearly: “I will always be with you” Not something from me – but he shared it with me. This (and the many, many times God has shown me He is there for them, likely helped me be so willing to call an ambulance without a hesitation (yep this used to be a big deal!)
Our Jesus Time that morning was about how God provides what we need – even though we don’t like that at times. All I could think was – Lord you know what I need, you know what the Big M needs, you know what our family needs – if that is death, You know best. If that is life, You know best. Our Jesus Time from that morning is here (At times, God’s provision sucks!)
How God cares about the little details: the ambulance driver in attendance we have met & got to know a little over time. My son reported today that although he could only remember two snippets from the 2 hours of their attendance, he remembers being calmed by hearing her voice when I wasn’t talking as he recognised her.
How much I am changing: While at the hospital, physical signs are bad and I am helpless to help, I am reminded how hard this used to be for me. This used to be HUGE for me – worry, anxiety, doubt, stress – but this time: peace!
How funny things aren’t: a certain movie made this memory cycle seem so funny and how it wasn’t for the person going through it. The movie still funny though told the kids I would show them bits of it…and we can now laugh at some of what we went through!
How bad hospital food tastes when used to good organic food. But still thankful for something! Look how happy he was!
How HUGE the range of burgers (wraps, muffins, toasted sandwiches and whatever else!!) Hungry Jacks now have on offer?! 😀
How fragile life really is – and how at any moment everything can change.
May we use all our time to love, cherish & honour each other so that when the times comes to say goodbye – there is no regrets, only fond memories & thankfulness for the time we have shared.
The Big M is happy, though a little sore at times and has a few new snippets of memories to share.
From him:
“I’m recovering very well – better than I thought I would. I could still have concussion please pray that I don’t. Thank you all so much, God bless you all”
Echoed from us!
Lord, we thank you!