Backlog journals - First fracture

Evelyn with her grandma

Last year Nov 23, at her 18 months old. Evelyn fell off the high bed and broke her 6 spine vertebrae. She has had 6 compression fractures at T5 to T8, L1 to L2.

It was Friday evening at 6.30pm. She was extremely tired after her full day nursery. As usual, we let her sleep in our 2.5 feet bed not knowing she will awake in the middle of her sleep and scoot around the bed.While Francis and I were watching TV in the living room, we heard a big scream and abnormal crying from the bedroom. We quickly ran into our bedroom and noticed she was lying her back on the ceramic floor. She was stiffed in that position for a long while. The first thing in my head was she must have broken her skull or spine or legs !!! Oh my god! How can we leave her alone in the bedroom. I tried to carry her with my gentle hands, unfortunately she had cried even louder & abnormally. We quickly packed her stuffs and went to emergency have her checked. The doctors checked her whole body to see if she has any swollen or bruise part, because those are fracture signs. She didn’t have any of those. So They have ordered a skull xray but see no fractures so they allowed us to go home right away.

That night she hardly sleep, she cried throughout the night. She cant move her limbs or body, her whole body still stiffed like a wood. She can only lie on her back. All her movements were very slow and gentle. I remember the OI Parents forum said rub her with hot/ cold pack will help to release her pain. So that whole night we were busy with the rubbing and caring her.We played her favourite songs and cuddle her to comfort her. 3days later, she can sit up abit but her body and legs were still stiff.

 

The OI Parents said she must have broken her spine. So a week later we went back to emergency for spine xray. It was confirmed that she has had 6 compression fractures at her spine vertebrae - T5 to T8, L1 to L2. No cast or brace can be prescribed for her but painkiller and more lying on back rest. The spine doctor called for seeing them in 2 months time.

It took over a month's time to heal. Evelyn was able to get back to her routine movement and mobility. However, the fall has made a remarkable curve to her spine. That's why I called it the most "scary" incident ever. We should not underestimate her mobility ability, that she can scoot freely not long ago.

Evelyn is such a fighter. I know she were in pain but she still smiling while lying on her back. She is the strongest and brave girl ever! We love her so much! 

 "Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. But in reality, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it, and accept it... "

Evelyn weighed at 18 months old : 5.9kg, 71cm