Sunday, March 29, 2009

Mother of the Year
See this picture?
Would you believe me if I told you that this looks BETTER than it did before? Well, it does.
Would you believe me if I told you that this isn't a sunburn? Well it's not.
Not any more... it started out as a rather mild burn. Red's skin is super-mega fair and he burns easily. We went to the beach last week and he got a light burn. So, I alternated putting burn jel and aloe vera on his back. But it got worse... and his back got really splotchy. Each time I applied the stuff he said it hurt a little more. But, being the BRILLIANT person that I am, I didn't add things up... so, I kept putting stuff on his back.
On Friday night he was hurting. I put more aloe vera on him (stupid, stupid, stupid!) and the pain it caused was terrible. Soon he was laying on the floor shaking. He kept telling us that he was okay, but it was very obvious that he was not. We were getting ready to take him into the ER and we decided to say a prayer. The power of prayer is amazing. The pain stopped shortly after and he was able to sleep.
Afterwards I started looking at both the gels... both have lidocaine in them. I'm not sure if he had an allergic reaction or if it was some kind of chemical burn... but I just thought it was the sunburn getting worse. Sigh. Why is it that when I make a mistake, it's usually my kids that pay the price?
We kept him home from school yesterday, but by last night he was teasing Baby Girl till she was almost in tears. Apparently he's feeling better :)

12 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Oh wow! I hope he is doing OK. That looks really painful!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Oh ouchie! Sounds like a reaction to the lidocaine alright, poor kid. And poor mum! You couldn't have known - and you were doing the "right" thing treating his burn. ~hugs~

Yvonne said...

I'm so sorry--that must have hurt so much.

We sometimes think we moms are supposed to know everything--not so.

I'm glad he is doing better.

Heather said...

Oh poor boy! Sometimes as moms we are slow learners... don't feel too bad.

... said...

poor red. it looks like it really hurt.

it's hard knowing how to treat someone with sensitive skin. my daughter can't use certain lotions, deoderants, sunscreens, etc. some times it's a real pain.

camfox said...

poor kid. and poor mom :( Is it better now?

i said...

if you are "mother of the year i am runner up! ouchie!!! time for fresh aloe huh?

Nancy Face said...

But you didn't know! I wouldn't have suspected an allergic reaction, either. I'm glad he's doing better!

Unknown said...

OH my gosh...poor Red. That looks positively painful! As a strawberry-blond, I have had some terrible burns in one day. I once charred my back so badly is scabbed all over the place.

Wonderful, wonderful story about the power of prayer!

Adena and Greg said...

Poor kid. I hope he's doing better.

Bonnie the Boss said...

I am so sorry that happened! Poor kid. I think you are a good mom to try and fix it and keep going until you figure it out!

Tonya said...

Yeouch, poor guy. Don't feel bad. You were doing what was right. Even though we try, we're just not perfect.