Injured Toes, Bunny Ears, and Nice Folks

Two days ago, while playing at his best friend's house next door, Matthew rammed his little toe of his right foot into a chest of drawers.  Ouch.  He came home and put ice on it and he seemed to be okay.  He even slept well that night. 

Yesterday morning, however, Matthew was limping and complaining that his foot, and that little toe, were really hurting him - bad.  I could tell that he wasn't feeling well.  So, I called his pediatrician and took him yesterday afternoon to have his toe checked out.

But, the doctor told me that he wanted Matthew to have his toe x-rayed the next day at the hospital to make sure it wasn't dislocated or broken.  And, that is exactly what I did today - I took Matthew and Glen to Presbyterian Hospital Matthews (As in "Matthews, North Carolina) for Matthew's x-ray.

He didn't look so happy.  As a matter of fact, he tried his level best to look miserable.

Glen tried to get Matthew's attention and make him laugh, but Matthew was determined to show everyone just how miserable he was.

Of course, if I berate him enough, he gives in with a crack of a smile - or is that a snicker?

Oh wait!  He's miserable again.  He is trying his best not to crack a smile.  Nope, he is hurting, and hurting and smiling don't make a good mix. 

Is this good acting "hurt and in pain" or what?

Obviously, he can't hold it in any longer.  I think he is going to burst.

Yep, he burst alright, and now I couldn't get him to stop smiling.

Of course, that was Glen's clue to make a scene in the waiting room and embarrass me terribly.  He's good at that.

This nice gentleman was very entertained with the boys.

And for a while there, he too, looked like he wanted to look miserable.

Until his lovely wife was called back for an x-ray and the nice gentleman helped her up out of her chair and told her to please not kick the doctor.  That made Matthew laugh, and then he smiled.

Seeing that he had Matthew's attention, he asked Matthew if he liked Baseball and Matthew said "yes."

So he asked Matthew if he had read today's paper about the baseball player, Randy Johnson, who will attempt to win his 300th game on Wednesday when San Francisco plays Washington.  Matthew, said "Nope."

This nice gentleman had a captive audience in Matthew (and me too!) and so he began telling Matthew all about this milestone that was in Randy Johnson's reach.

He told Matthew the story, and let Matthew read along ... that "At 45, the San Francisco lefty owns a World Series ring and co-MVP honors, five Cy Young awards and is a 10-time All-Star selection.  He's thrown two no-hitters, including a perfect game, and ranks second on the career strikeout list." 

Matthew was really impressed.

He continued to read the story ... "Some of his best seasons have come in his later years - he's won more games in his 40s than he did in his 20s." Matthew thought all of this was very interesting.  And, if nothing else, it took his mind off of his sore toe.

Yes, he was a very nice man, and he knew a lot about baseball.  And, that was fine with Matthew, because Matthew loves baseball.  He loves playing baseball too.

They called Matthew back and we made our way through the halls.

And, we sat in another waiting room where we met this very nice gentleman, Preston.  He liked my camera, although he probably thought it was strange that this woman was asking him if I could take his picture while sitting in the radiology department of a hospital.  He's probably thinkin' "dang, she's a strange camera totin' lady."  That's okay, I don't bite - promise.

The radiologist laid that heavy cloak over Matthew.  He stuck his head up only after he realized that the rest of him was plastered to the table.  Except for his feet of course.

Matthew's thinkin' "You know, this really is no big deal.  I don't know what I was so upset about."

"I mean, my mom takes my pictures all the time, (a little too much if you ask me) and this is just a bigger camera, and of course, I have to wear a lead suit to protect the family jewels because Mom and Dad want more grandchildren some day."

Before you knew it, we were all done.  Matthew was putting his socks back on with a smile and Glen was acting like a Tyrannosaurus Rex.  That's normal, right?

We waved goodbye to the very nice radiologist.

And we stopped and admired the wonderful artwork of local youngsters on the walls of the hospital.

There were lots of really cool pictures to take little minds off of sore toes.

I even took my favorite boys to lunch after our excursion, and they were all smiles the rest of the way home.  I think Matthew handled himself quite well under the circumstances.  He is such a little gentleman.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009:

I have not heard back from Matthew's doctor yet.  I am waiting for him to let me know what the results are from the x-ray.  I will let you know here just as soon as I find out! 

2:15 pm: Just got a call from the Dr.'s office and the x-ray came back negative.  So, Matthew is going to be fine.  He seems to be walking around better today too.  I'm sure he'll be watching where he puts his toes from now on!