Isolation And Emergency

Toby loves living on the farm. He loves trucks, tractors, sheep, dogs, chickens, pigs, and especially the motor bike. If he hears Country Boy on the motor bike without him, he gets cranky and tries to run after it. He loves to sit in front of Country Boy on the bike and ‘help’ round up the sheep.

Two weeks ago, Country Boy took both Toby and Meg on the bike to do a job. When he came back, he lifted the kids off the bike, and then as he got himself off, Toby wandered back to the bike and touched the very hot muffler.

Thankfully Country Boy acted quickly. He got Toby’s hand straight under the tap and held it there for at least 10 minutes. He then bought him inside and gave Toby some water play toys to encourage him to keep his hand in water. At the same time, he got Meg to pack a few bits and pieces into a bag. He then strapped one of those plastic tube ice blocks to his arm, and drove him into the emergency unit in town.

Thankfully, Toby’s arm wasn’t too bad – Thanks to Country Boy’s actions. He had to have a special bandage on his arm for a week, and we also put a second bandage over the top to prevent him from pulling it off.

He is too busy trying on Country Boy’s boots to notice his arm

Poor Country Boy was quite shaken by the episode (I was at work at the time), but Toby was fine, and didn’t appear to be bothered by the burn the next day.

However this episode has bought to the fore one of the biggest concerns I have always had about moving to the farm: the distance we have to drive if/when we need medical help. There is a small emergency department about 20 minutes away, which is good for minor things like small burns, but should we need anything more than a bandage, it is about an hour and a half to a major hospital.

I don’t know of many parents who have made it through their children’s early years without visiting the hospital and/or doctor on at least a semi regular basis. It is impossible to watch kids 24/7, and even if I could, it’s not healthy for them or me. Even so, it is hard to not think about how isolated we can be in an emergency situation. Hopefully, Toby’s arm will be as bad as things get.