Well, quite the day here in OH...(OT)

[michelleric]

Ya never know what life throws at you sometimes. My son who is 8, was playing in a football game this weekend.  He got tackled and hit his head VERY hard. (The helmet was dented).  We have kept an eye on him this weekend, seemed to be the busy boy he is, but started to complain of a headache yesterday. Got worse last night, and he woke up this morning with a really bad headache.

Took him to the pediatrician, she said he has a concussion and wanted him to get neck x-rays, just in case.  She  said to keep him still for at least a week, not even video games or homework! I thought she was joking, not.

Anyway, she called me shortly after, and said the Radiologist called, and said there was lots of swelling and a fracture in his cervical spine (#6and 7), and a fracture in his second wedge of his Thoracic spine.  She was shocked (he seems "normal") and sent the xrays to an Orthopedic surgeon who looked at them, and called her.  He needs a Cat-scan and to be seen this week. They were talking about immobilizing him, but decided I need to keep him inactive and that might be for 3 months!!!  Oh my...that is going to be a big challenge.

So that is the news here, always something, huh?!

(At least I have learned lots about the Cervical and Thoracic spine here...)

Michelle

[Erin0313]

   Great news :)   If I could dance I would!!!

  Hugs,
Erin :)

[Lulu54]

That is certainly the best news i've had so far today -thanks for keeping us up to date.

[sllowe]

Yay !!!!!! So happy for you both!

-shell

[Quixotic1]

YIPPPEEEEE!!!

[rendean]

I am SO glad you got such great news on Gabriel!!!! What a relief! Still sending those good thoughts your way because having an 8 year old 'take it easy" has got to be an oxymoron of some sort but still fantastic news!!!

I'll add a couple of rounds of the Snoopy dance (see above re pain) and some ice cream for you.

Now, as Mary said, back to planning your trip!

Ren

[twopack]

Oh, great news Michelle!!  You can turn your attention back to your trip now right?

Mary

[michelleric]

Update on Gabriel:  Great news!!

We saw the orthopedic surgeon yesterday and got excellent news.  What looked "alarming" on X-rays looked good on the MRI.

He just needs to still "take it easy" for a few weeks, but will be back to normal activites then. (minus the football, of course!)

Thanks again for all your well wishes and prayers....

Love,
Michelle

[rendean]

Sounds like good news! Now you can take that breath and relax mom!!  Keep us updated about the ortho, be sure and ask about the swelling they mentioned initially.

Just get some rest, the whole household! Order pizza, put on some good movies and relax.

SO HAPPY things are looking better!!!

Hugs,
Ren

[HVAC]

This why we are making it the law in NC that you have have a Doctor or trained sports trainer at all children's sports events to look for head and neck injuries immediately. I listened to a lecture about this at the legislature about how common and unnoticed this kind of thing is.

I hope he will be okay.

Alex

[RedFlame]

wow,  if it's not one thing it's another.  I'm so sorry to hear of all this.  I agree that the doctors should help with the immobilization project

Thank God that his tests are coming out clean.  That's great news, perhaps your family life will return to normalcy soon.  

Hugs,   Red

[michelleric]

Hi again all,

Well the pediatrician already called, and said his nerves and muscles look good. That is great news.  His appt with the Ortho is tomorrow, so we will see what he says.  I think all good.
Michelle

[michelleric]

Thanks for all your nice, supportive notes and messages. I appreciate them!

Well, not too much change, except he is still in a neck brace, still home with me, and this morning he had a cervical MRI.  Awaiting the results today...hopefully.  He is seeing the Orthopedist tomorrow, so now we wait..again.

That is it for now,
Michelle

Mary: all his testing is at Akron Children's hospital.

[twopack]

So now you are dealing with a whole new kind of headache!!!

Your family adventures constantly leave me speechless Michelle.  I was hoping you had initially left out that the head scan was done (and negative).  Never did I dream one hadn't been done.  PLEASE, PLEASE reassure me that the one they are doing today is head and spine.

Is he going to Akron Children's? Rainbow?  Muster up all the motherly rightous indignation you can and get them to do what needs to be done SOONER rather than later.

I had/have an ADD son too.  He was nine when I was given a choice of cast of air boot for a lower leg fracture.  A few years older when the orthodontist offered a removal retainer.  I had the leg casted (heaviest one possible) and the retainer cemented in place.  They cannot be trusted to follow instructions.  Heck, we don't do what we are supposed to half the time!

Eight year olds play full tackle?  Oh yeah, this is football crazy Ohio.  It's worse than TX.

Let us know how it's going when you get a chance.  You're in our hearts for the duration.
Mary

[sllowe]

OMG Michelle!

I'm so sorry this happened to your son. Was always a fear of mine when my boys played!

Thank God you have him under a Drs care. I still get scared wehn I hear horror after stories of concussions.

I pray he's getting those scans asap and that the Drs are aggressive in looking into this.

Sending you hugs and prayers for him to heal well.
-Shell

[Sparkysarah]

I was shocked to read your post and am just echoing everyone else's kind words. You are a very brave Mum as this is no minor injury and have difficult times ahead. Just make sure that somewhere in here you are also looked after as we all know that stress is extremely bad for us so rest when you can.

Sending love and prayers to your family and big hugs to you

Sarah xxxx

[steph74]

How scary!  I'm so sorry to hear he's going through this (and sorry to hear you'll have to keep him inactive for so long!)  I'm glad you got him to the doctor as soon as he showed signs of anything being wrong.

Stephanie

[jumpinjiminy]

I'm new here, but wanted to say that my heart goes out to you and your little guy. Mine is ADHD and they are very hard to keep an eye on under normal everyday circumstances. You have such a great attitude about all of this. I'm not sure I could hold up as well as you are.

But rest assured, those young little bodies heal very quickly, and I hope you and your son get through this easily with no harm done.

[Guitar_grrrl]

Whoa, so sorry!  Good thoughts coming your way!

[Deb61]

What a nightmare . . .I'm sending prayers and well-wishes your way.

[opie74]

Prayers to you!  You have made up my mind, there will be no football for my boys until MUCH older! (They currently are 3 and 5.)  The only way to keep mine still is drugs!  I would not go home tomorrow without some definate answers about exactly how much activity is ok, and what they plan to do to help you.

Love,
Ann

[Lulu54]

Dear Michelle,
What else is there to say in addition to the kind words and advice given above?  I am so sorry to hear this active gang of yours continues to make life much more interesting than it needs to be.

My neuro's 4 year old broke his leg this summer playing duck, duck, goose.  I never knew that was a contact sport, too.  That must have been one whale of a hit for the helmet to dent.

lots of hugs, L

[frowngirl]

Michelleric,
I am so sorry to hear what happened to your son. I am sure that had to have been a very scary conversation.
I am sure you wont be sleeping at all tonight. I remember those days laying next to my kids when they were hurt or sick. One eye open while the other one could sleep.
Start the coffee pot and I will stay up with you.
Take care and keep us all posted.
We will pray for your little guy.
FG a Ohio girl as well

[Quixotic1]

Well, first, I am shaking that they delayed a CT scan when the headache was worsening!  Since he is still alive, I "guess" it is okay to wait until tomorrow, but it should have been done very shortly after an injury that was strong enough to dent a helmet!  If his headache worsens, he becomes sleepy or confused, or begins vomiting this is a 911 call and a demand for an immediate CT scan.

If they are serious that excessive movement might further injure hiom, then they MUST do something to immobilize him, in my opinion.  You and Eric should demand this unless they can assure you that him running round and carrying heavy objects will be okay.  It is ridiculous to tell a mom to keep her hyperactive 8 year old quiet.  He'll forget and be jumping on the bed and falling while you go to the bathroom or are making dinner.

Wow, it doesn't rain, but it pours.  Hang in there, kiddo.  You're in my thoughts.

Mama Bear

[lovemy6monkeys]

Oh goodness! How scary!

I was thinking two things might help:
1- Can you suspend one of those small portable DVD players above his bed? If nothing else it might give a couple hours a day of "stillness" for him to just lay on his back and watch a movie.

and

2- Alcohol. Lots of alcohol. For you, of course, not your son :-)

Let us know how the appointments go!
Lots of gentle ((hugs)) coming your way!
~Jess