The Splinter

To start off, let me say this…we need a new back deck, very badly. We have been wanting to redo the deck for the last 3 years, but it just hasn’t happened yet. It takes a lot of time and money, which we never seem to have enough of. So I am always telling the kids to put on shoes before they go outside. If they want to take them off when the get into the yard, that’s fine…but please put on shoes when you are on the deck. We have dug out so many splinters from little feet, that you’d think they would remember…..with this in mind, I will begin my story…

Monday night, after supper, I made a quick trip to the grocery store. I didn’t need a lot, so there was only a few bags to haul in. Zion was doing a project for school that required oranges, which we didn’t have, so this was one of the items I picked up at the store. When I returned home, Zion ( who was very excited about doing his project) decided to help me haul in the bags. He did not bother to put on shoes, when he came outside to help me. He wasn’t running…he was just walking across the back deck, helping me carry in the groceries, when suddenly he drops his bags, and starts hopping around.

“What? Did you step on something?” I asked.

“I think I may have gotten a splinter.” Was his reply.

“I’m glad you didn’t’ have the bag with the eggs in it.” Was my answer. (yes I know that wasn’t the normal reaction from a mom who’s kid just got a splinter, but it happens so much around here, that is wasn’t really a big deal)

I picked up the disregarded bags, brought them in and made Zion sit down so I could look at his foot. By this time, he was moaning and complaining that his foot hurt pretty badly. After looking at his foot, I realized this was more serious then the normal splinter. He must have stepped pretty hard, on a chunk of wood. He had a good sized hole in his foot and I could tell there was a big piece of wood in his foot, but couldn’t quite tell how much wood. I was going to just grab a needle and dig it out , like normal, but he wanted to do it. He has very sensitive feet and hates to have splinters dug out. I let him try, but new he wasn’t going to get it out. So outside I go to talk to Trevor.

“Zion’s got a nasty splinter in his foot, and I think we may need to dig it out. Its in pretty deep.” I informed him. He had just finished mowing the grass and was picking stuff from the garden at this point.

Moving on….

45 minutes later, and much frustration on the parents and one screaming kid, we decided that the splinter just wasn’t going to come out.

The next option was to take him to the doctor. Now that makes you feel stupid. “Um yes…this is Mrs. Emond. My son has a splinter in his foot and we can’t get it out. Can I bring him in to see the doctor?”

Well that is exactly what we had to do. The doctor was very nice about the whole thing, and informed Zion he needed to wear shoes, which he has been told to do several times, and admited as much to the doctor. She numbed the area, and removed the splinter, in no time at all. Altho I’m not sure it was actually a splinter. I think it was more of a small log.

Zion is now splinter/log free, but still has a very sore foot. The area is a bit swollen, and he can’t put any pressure on it, so he just hobbles around the house, but gets where he needs to go. He can’t wear a shoe on that foot either, so if he goes outside, he has to just make sure its covered. We have to keep it medicated, soak it 3 times a day and make sure the swelling goes down. Hopefully he’ll be back to normal in few days.