Emergency Room Trip For Eliana

At the hospital with Eliana, she took a bad fall tonight. Seems to be doing okay now, just waiting to have her looked at by a doctor. More details in a few...

Earlier tonight, Eliana slipped and fell on the hardwood floor. She fell so fast she couldn't put her hands out to stop herself in time and wound up landing face first. It was a terrible thing to see. I scooped her up right away and she let out a wail like I've never heard before. She started bleeding from her nose and lip almost immediately. The scene after that was chaotic as we scrambled to get everything together to get her to the Emergency Room. Within minutes, we were off in the car on our way to the hospital.

9:00 pm. Arrive at the ER with Eliana.

1:00 am. Still in the waiting room at the Chilren's Hospital of Philadelphia. We've been waiting for 4 hours now. 4 hours. Is our situation still an emergency at this point? The waiting room was packed, lots of kids crying, coughing, some throwing up. I'm starting to wonder if we'd be better off going home and going to our pediatrician in the morning. I know once we get back there and into a room, it's going to be another hour before we see a doctor. We waited this long, I guess we might as well wait it out. Eliana is fast asleep in her stroller wrapped up in a warm blanket.

1:25 am. We're now in a room in the ER waiting to see the doctor. I don't think we'll be home until morning. Eliana's good, she's fast asleep on the hospital bed.

3:00 am. Nurse came in a few times to check on Eliana who is still asleep. It's an unusually busy night at the hospital. The nurse told us we're next in line to see the doctor. I hope so. Fingers crossed.

4:00 am. One doctor came at 3:30. Eliana's in good shape. Contusions to her lip and inside of her nose.No concussion or fractures.

4:15 am. Supervising doctor sees Eliana. Injuries are minor, will heal on their own. Getting ready for discharge.

5:00 am. Finally leaving the hospital with Eliana

5:30 am. After nearly 8 hours (waiting time) at the hospital, we arrive home. Eliana went back to sleep and is doing well. It started to snow as soon as we pulled up in the driveway.