Hi Mamas,
Having a rough few weeks. Anyways my 5 year old trips on a football Tuesday afternoon and completely (Grade 3 or stage 3 anyways the WORST kind of break) broke her humerus. She's a tough girl so when she was crying I knew it hsd to be serious and took her t the nearest ER. We were at a friends house in Orange county. They took xrays, said it was broken put on a splint, mentioned how tough she was and sent us home with xrays and a referral to orthopedic surgeon. I had mentioned something on Facebook and one of my old college teammates told me to send her pics of the xray and she'd have the Doctors she worked with look at them. It wasn't until I loaded them on my computer I realized HOW BAD it was. My teammate called me back immediately saying get her back into the hospital my Appt. With orthopedist in Friday was way too late she needed surgery right away. So I took her to ER by our house the Dr. Was AWESOME. The first surgeon was honest and said he did t feel qualified to do the surgery. I appreciated his honesty. By a miracle the head trauma surgeon at 3 major local hospital had a slot open unexpectedly, and she got the best surgeon to put 3 pins in her little arm. They had to do alot of work to get it back in place and after a painful night she is much better today.
My question is, should she go to school Monday?? She had a 3 week break for Christmas so school starts Monday. She's a very tough little girl but She's not in a hard cast yet. I. Just not sure what to do we still have 3 more days to figure out but would appreciate your advice. Thank you!
I would ask the doctor and go w/ his professional opinion. I know kids go to school w/ broken bones all the time but if it is that bad and she's not in a hard cast, it may be to vulnerable to being bumped etc. If she can't go to school (under doctor's orders), contact the school so they know what is going on, can get her the work she needs etc...especially if she will be out for an extended period.
I would call the doctor or hospital and ask their advice. I would think they should have sent home some guidelines. Maybe no recess or anything other than school work but they are the ones to tell you.
Nope.
Not until she's in a hard cast, at least.
Until then it's too easy to unset the bone. Even with a hard cast kids aren't going to be careful around her. She's going to get jostled at best, and there will be playground accidents at worst.
The pain level is going to be much higher. Desks require lifting your arms or stretching them under to have on your legs. In a splint, her arm is going to be moving.
Too exhausting. She needs to rest to recuperate. Instead, even "just" sitting at a desk she's being asked to behave, pay attention, learn. I'd be surprised if she can manage a whole day without a full on meltdown or falling asleep.
Too hard on her immune system. Surgery is *exhausting* on her body. Her immune system is going to be in mach 3 trying to take care of things, the bone is in the very early stages of remodeling. To then go and be exposed to all the germs that are being brought to school from the holidays pretty much guarantees she's going to come home sick, and by Wed will have a stomach virus, respiratory infection, or cold/flu.
Follow what the doctor says.
You don't want anyone accidentally bumping into her at school or on the bus.
Kindergarten can send work home until the doctor gives the go ahead for her to return.
what did the doctor say? go with your gut feeling, 5 year old isn't going to miss out on anything, I'd keep my little one home if that happened, especially when it's not in a hard cast.
Her body needs to recover from this as well as her mind ... give her time, and have someone bring by her assignments. Ask the teacher if she can film her lessons so she has a frame of reference. I know she is in grade school but I know of many highschool teachers that are starting web pages/blogs that are password protected and the students can log in to watch the lesson when they are sick. The parents sign release forms and the class that has a full approval is filmed and questions during all the classes are noted and answeres provided as part of the blog. It is an interesting way to cover your education needs when sick don't you think?
I will say no. She is on pain meds, right? I would be astonished if she could do anything in school.
I think that on Monday you should get on the phone with the principal and talk about this. Ask if you can come spend the first day with her and be in the classroom to assess how she is doing. If she is struggling, get work from the teacher and bring her home. She is 5, not in 5th grade. There is no reason to take her to school this soon after such a traumatic injury. You can teach her at home.
So wonderful to have a guardian angel on your shoulder with that old teammate - just wonderful!
Dawn
No school. Until her surgeon releases her for normal activity, she needs to be resting and relaxing and NOT MOVING her arm. I broke my arm as a child (not nearly as bad as your girl), and was not allowed to return to school until I had been wearing my hard cast for a week.
Keep her home.
It doesn't matter if she is a tough little girl.
Keep her home.
The Surgeon, should have explained to you about after care and recuperation/recovery time-lines and what comes next.
And given you a handout of information.
Talk to the Surgeon.
Follow what the Dr told you. I'm glad that it was treated fast - what great friends you have in noticing that your daughter's arm was more serious than expected and told you to get it treated right away!!!
If she's in a soft cast? I personally would wait - especially if they had a hard time getting it back in place after surgery. Talk to the Dr and find out what he says about her going to stuff.
GOOD LUCK!
Hello, What did the doctor say? If he say to let her return to school, I would say, if she is having no pain and if she can stay off of the playground, I would let her go back to school. However, if she is having any pain and/or she would be on the playground with other kids running around her, I would keep her home and go to the school and get her classwork.
Good luck with your precious little girl.
K. K.
get a note from her doctor. I would have her on independent study for at least 2 weeks longer if I could. My 6 year old got a little crack in her humerous by the elbow and the doc did not want her by kids for a bit. And hers was tiny. I am sure the doc does not want her around little kids. My lo was out of activities for 9 weeks. and that was little. She went to school and stuff because she was in a hard cast. but your daughter's is much worse. When their bones are still developing like that you can not be too careful.
Are you kidding right? I dont think she should be going to school until someone released her to do so. You really need to check with the orthopedic surgeon. This is not something you let slide by...like oh school's tomorrow...lets get you ready. She will probably not be able to do a lot of things considering she will only have one arm.
Good Luck!
Absolutely, keep her home. I'm no orthopedist, but I'd say wait until she's in a hard cast to send her back to school.
You have a lot of wonderful advice below to help you make a decision. My only comment is if you choose to send her to school, I would make sure she does not go out to the playground during recess. I supervise students on the playground and even if you tell them to minimize their activity, they don't. And, with 300 kids on the playground, I can't stay on top of the one child to make sure they're taking it easy. It's best if the child is in the nurses office coloring or doing other activities you can arrange with the school. I even knew one boy who was given permission to play his DS while in the nurses office for numerous weeks even though typically DS's are not allowed on campus. Best wishes and prayers!
When my nephew returned to school after a skull fracture, he was initially sent to the library during recess. I think it was better for him to get back into some sort of normal life, even if there were limitations.
I'd base my decision on her pain level that morning and be ready to pick her up if necessary.
I remember when I broke my hand in 7 places I went through a lot of emotional changes as well as the physical pain. I also recall that the second day after surgery was worse than the first and then got steadily better on days three four and five. Also, if may not be a good idea for her to be around a lot of people until her arms is really protected....I would see how she feels....
ask the Dr what her limitations are. if the dr said she can go to school send her to school.
It shouldn't matter that she has been out of school for the holidays. This is something that her body is healing from and time is something she needs. You were blessed to be able to get the surgery done so quickly........our son had to wait from friday until tuesday to have his surgery and pins put in.
NO WAY. I had that same injury and it is very painful. For crying out loud, she's 5, give her the time needed to heal.
