Saturday, August 2, 2008

Elijah Got Hit By A Car

Elijah had football practice this morning and then a beach party for the whole league. We were going home, rest for a little while and then head over. The boys decided they wanted to go surfing instead. You can only surf at certain times and areas of the beach in the summertime...they black ball (a flag with a round circle on it, hanging from the lifeguard tower) which lets surfers know that they can't surf there. The spot of the beach party was a no surf zone.

Elijah and Adam surfed and were on their way home, Adam had sped ahead because his mom was going to be picking him up. Elijah was riding alone (slowly...after a 3 hr. practice and then a 2 hr. surf session). He was on the wrong side of the rode (we all do it because you have to go across Main St. at the light before pulling into our driveway.) He had a green light, a 17 year old girl who had just gotten her license was making a right hand turn and didn't see him. He tried to swerve to avoid being hit head on. The front of her car hit his left foot and threw him off the bike. Luckily he was wearing his helmet and there wasn't oncoming traffic. He tried to stand up but couldn't put weight on his left foot. He hopped over to the grass and called Jullien (my middle son...he said he didn't call me because he didn't want me to get freaked out). I was upset because he KNOWS I never freak out when they get hurt! I've always had to be the one to stay calm and keep them calm, I lose it later when I'm all alone.

Anthony, me and Jullien jumped in the car and drove to the next block. Elijah was scraped up, had some tire marks on his feet and said his achilles tendon hurt really bad and he couldn't stand on it (that part of his foot took the first impact). The girl was trying to hold back her tears and said she had called her mom and dad. They pulled up, we talked to them, they gave us their information, but we told them we have insurance and not to worry about it. They told us to please call them and they would take care of everything and fix the bike. As we pulled out the girl had completely broke down and was crying as her mom hugged her. Jullien walked the bike back home, I got jackets, called our doctor and drove Elijah to the emergency room.

Luckily it wasn't crowded...we got taken back in 15 minutes. They took x-rays and put him in a temporary cast and crutches. They think it's only a sprain, but because of the pain and swelling they want to make sure he is checked by an orthopedic specialist to make sure he didn't tear the tendon. They need the swelling to go down before I can schedule the appointment.

I got home and called the girl's mother, I wanted the girl to know that he was okay. I left a message and told them he is fine, he might have an achilles injury but will be okay. Accidents happen, our insurance will cover it and not to worry about anything. I wanted to put her mind at ease.

Needless to say I AM SO GRATEFUL that it wasn't worse! God was definitely looking out for him today!!! When we have so many things going wrong in our life (financial struggles, stress, possible foreclosure) something like this really puts things into perspective. Family and health are the most important things. Everything else just DOESN'T matter. I am the happiest mom in the whole world today...a potential tragedy turned out to be a blessing, my son is safe!

19 comments:

Mandy said...

Wow, I'm so glad he is ok. And I love how understanding you were about the whole thing. That shows true character. Hope he is healed up soon.

Lisa Petrarca said...

Thanks for your comment! I think he'll be fine and hopefully it's not a torn ligament. We are just so thankful!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa, I saw your comment on SITS and had to come pay a visit to your site. What a day you all had. So happy to hear your son is safe....how scary for all of you! Praying your sons injury is only a sprain...you are sooo right about perspective!!!

Heather said...

Like Z's mom, I saw your comment on SITS. Very happy to read that Elijah is okay!!!

I tore my Achilles' tendon as a teenager, playing tennis. The doctors didn't realize that's what had happened and with the misdiagnosis, it was several MONTHS before they figured out what was going on and operated to reattach it. I was on crutches for a while and had to have PT afterwards, but it healed up fine even with that long delay between injury and repair. So, if it does turn out to be his Achilles, I'm sure he will be fine in short order. (Of course, I'm hoping that it is just a sprain and nothing more serious than that!)

Hoping you have a peaceful, restful Sunday!

Caroline said...

I saw your comment on the SITS site as well and I am sooooo glad Elijah is okay. That must have been a very scary thing for him and for you. So glad he didn't sustain any major injuries.

"For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."

Amie Steele said...

How Scary Lisa....I'm so glad too that it wasn't worse! We will be praying for a speedy recovery for Elijah!

ugagirl30 said...

Saw this on SITS. How amazing that he was so protected during this!! God never fails us...He is so good! Glad that everything turned out okay.

Anonymous said...

Also following from SITS. I would have been a wreck. God really was watching over him. I hope he feels better soon.

~Trish~ said...

LISA!!! What the heck! My daughter Miranda got hit by a car while on her bike on Wednesday and now your baby got hit too??? Thank GOD both of our babies were ok and only had minor injuries...wow. I read the title and about fell out of my chair!!! That's it... I'm buying stock in bubble wrap and I insist we wrap our children in in immediately!! HUGS!!!!

Karol said...

Thank goodness it wasnt' serious! Still a heart attack! I'm glad to hear he's better!

April said...

I'm glad he's ok and that it wasn't worse! That's so scary! I would take the people up on their offer to buy him a new bike though, if his isn't repairable. You don't need that extra expense.

Aubrey said...

How terrible! Thankfully, an angel was watching over him!
Came by thru SITS also. BTW, your son has a beautiful name (Elijah is also my oldest son's name!)

Gina said...

How amazing. PTL that your son is alright!!!!!
You're right- these things do narrow it all down, don't they??
That was so sweet of you to call the girl and let her know. She must have been SOO shaken up.
How cute that HE was being protective of YOU when he got hurt.
You sound like such asweet family!!
I want to read more of your blog when I have a little time- I'm intriqued about the "Brady Bunch" aspect.
I'm a stepmom too. We favor Sound of Music (I actually posted about this fairly recently on my blog). My husband was widowed with 3 kids when we met and married.

Unknown said...

So greatful lijey is ok. that is so scary!

Unknown said...

Saw your commnet on SITS.

So glad he is okay. Thank goodness he was also wearing his bike helmet !!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Lisa

So glad to know he is okay. What a scary thing for both you and him. And your kindness and support to the young girl was something very specials also. I am sure that she really appreciated it. You are so right when something happens to our kids it puts everything else into prospective. Wishing him a speedy recovery!

Aunt Julie said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Elijah, galfriend! You need to focus on family now, but if you have a spare minute, Uncle Lynn has authorized another Great Pop'rs Giveaway--it starts tomorrow, so stay tuned! It might be a happy diversion, at any rate?

Robin said...

Oh, thank Heavens he was ok! My heart was in my throat as I read. Prayers to Elijah for a quick and full recovery. God was with him during it all. That is such a wonderful feeling :-)

WheresMyAngels said...

Great news above and what you did by calling the girls mother says alot about you. What a great person you have to be!

Prayers that he heals quickly and has no permanent damage.