Good as new, the boy!

The stitches were supposed to come out before we left the health clinic, but they didn't because it hadn't quite healed enough. So we took them home to Bavaria and they came out today. Again, medical staff was impressed by the handiwork of that dental surgeon in Rostock. I guess I should write him a thank-you card! Once the scabs fall off there will hardly be a scar. I am so happy to see my son so - together. If you had seen what he looked like with that gaping hole you would be too, believe me.

Finn wasn't too happy about his looks at first. I told him the scabs will fall off soon. He probably thought once the stitches were out every trace of the accident would be gone.

That moment of temporary distress didn't last long though ...

Speaking of distress. My poor little guy. The pedi listened to his lungs today and didn't like what she heard so she ordered a finger prick to check for bacteria in Finn's blood. It's pretty much standard procedure with him - being a child with a history of pneumonia. It doesn't hurt much and all they need are two drops of blood. Finn isn't a fan, but give him a gummy bear and he's game.

So the nurse decided to do the finger prick first, presumably the easier of the two procedures. I had Finn on my lap and when he realized what was going to happen he completely, utterly freaked out. He didn't listen to reason and fought us (3 adults) tooth and nail while screaming at the top of his lungs. It was heart breaking. I felt like a traitor for holding him but we finally got his hand uncurled enough for the prick. When the nurse was done Finn's little hands were shaking so badly it made me cry. I rocked him until he had recovered and he did say that the prick didn't hurt that much. So hopefully he will remember that the next time.

For the removal of the stitches he was a complete angel, not flinching once and laying as still as a rock so the nurse could cut them with the pointy scissors and then pull them out.

I think it is maybe the thought of blood that is freaking him out now. The accident was unbelievably bloody (and Finn did say to me at one point he was glad not ALL of his blood had come out), and it was all over his face and hands, in his eyes etc. So hopefully he will get over this soon, and the next finger prick will be far away! (By the way, his white cell count was normal, thankfully.)

.

On a different note, we got home safely and quickly, even though the DVD player in the car didn't work. The kids did so well on the long drive! We are slowly getting settled back in here. I will post pictures from the rehab soon.

.

P.S. We are cleared to get his head wet tomorrow or Sunday at the latest, when the stitch holes have closed up. I have never looked forward to washing somebody's hair so much. After almost 2 weeks, and with only having been able to sponge the dried blood out, with several oil baths at the clinic after the accident (where despite my best efforts he did get the back of his head wet and thus oily), he needs it. Badly.