Elbow Redux

So I didn't take this picture for purposes of my blog. I was trying to convince Penny that her sling was something super-cool, so super-cool, in fact, that it warranted me taking her picture. This is her late last night after getting back from the hospital before we ate an extremely late supper. She dislocated her elbow again - doing much of nothing, again. The doctor popped it back in, but there was no relief and after some wait time they did an x-ray. 9 times out of 10 it pops back in during the x-ray process since the technician has to move it into different positions to get different views. Six different views as it turns out. X-rays on a two year old's dislocated arm = not fun. For anyone.

Anyway, it did not pop in - or maybe it did, but it didn't take. After another long wait period, the doctor popped it in a second time, but she was still unable to move it. Although they were not great at communicating this with us last night, I have since read online that after that standard procedure has been followed and it still isn't functioning then you go to an orthopedist because the ligament is likely torn. Which would mean she would have had to wear a splint on her arm for a week and a half or so. It being, by then, the middle of the night, the ER sent us home with P in the above sling and the information for the orthopedist we were to call this morning.

We did not attempt to give her a bath or anything before bed last night. She was super tired by the time we got home and actually we ended up just letting her sleep in the shirt she had on rather than attempting to take it off. (Well, I figured I could get it off, but I wasn't sure if I could get another one on.) It was a long night. It was so sad as she was going to sleep. We took the sling off before bed, but she still couldn't move her arm. She wanted to hold Mr. Bear, but couldn't move her arm. She asked me to put him under her arm for her, but I didn't want to hurt her, so I told her I would just lay him on her tummy. She fell asleep relatively easily (thankfully), but it was a fitful sleep. She would cry out in her sleep. She woke up at 4 a.m. and was still in pain, but I got her back to sleep. At some point thereafter though she must have moved in such a way that it popped back in fully because when she woke up at 7 it was fine. She waved it at me and Tray and said, "My arm's all better!" In a tone of voice like, "huh. look at that."

Tray and I were so, so grateful for that turn of events. She's been totally fine all day, but Tray and I are completely gun shy with her. Which is funny because she really didn't do anything out of the ordinary the two times that it has happened now. It still doesn't hurt to be careful with her though. Man, what a night. I am so glad she's better. And I really hope that it won't happen again, but I know now that the possibility is pretty strong.