Aa
Well, quite the day here in OH...(OT)
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
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
My goodness, keeping an 8 year-old boy inactive - that will be most difficult. Did they do a CT or MRI on his brain? How is his headache? If it were my child I would insist that he be immobilized at least until he has been seen by the ortho and have the results of the CT scan. Better safe than sorry.
OMG girl...that is horrible! The poor little guy not only has to deal with the pain but the keeping inactive at 8 years old! I wish you lots of luck with that one honey and I hope he starts to feel better sooner than the 3 months! Seems to me that if they want him inactive they would immobilize him with a halo or something if it's that serious. Just a guess but I would think that a 2nd opinion would be a good thing on this one...perhaps Quix will be able to voice her thoughts on this. I always say, better safe than sorry, especially when it involves your little boy.
I wish you luck honey and keep us updated as to how he is doing will you?
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
I wish you luck honey and keep us updated as to how he is doing will you?
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
So sorry to hear about your little one. I hope they get him in soon..swelling and fractures..Oh My!
My 8 year old can't be inactive for several hours..not to mention 3 months. Are they going to put him in a back brace or something so there is no further injury?
My 8 year old can't be inactive for several hours..not to mention 3 months. Are they going to put him in a back brace or something so there is no further injury?
Thanks for the comments.
He is having a cat-scan tomorrow morning, and seeing the Orthpod the next day. My nerves are unsettled and he has no idea how to settle down. He was waiting in the driveway for his brothers to get off the bus, when the next thing I see is him caring a huge chair down the drive so he could sit. I stopped that immediately.
I hope I have the stamina for this.
Michelle
He is having a cat-scan tomorrow morning, and seeing the Orthpod the next day. My nerves are unsettled and he has no idea how to settle down. He was waiting in the driveway for his brothers to get off the bus, when the next thing I see is him caring a huge chair down the drive so he could sit. I stopped that immediately.
I hope I have the stamina for this.
Michelle
Wow Michelle,
I hope everything turns out with a positve twist. This is horrible. I guess the good news is that at least he is still up and wanting to move, unfortunaltly docs don't want him to move.
Keep us updated after the appointments. You and your son are in my prayers.
Paula
I hope everything turns out with a positve twist. This is horrible. I guess the good news is that at least he is still up and wanting to move, unfortunaltly docs don't want him to move.
Keep us updated after the appointments. You and your son are in my prayers.
Paula
As a mother to a crew of boys (now men), I wish you all the luck and patience in the world. How to do it? I have no clue!! Your hands will surely be filled. Maybe a family meeting involving his brothers and enlisting their help?
Hugs to you my friend.
Hugs to you my friend.
Oh my!!! Well don't we wish that we could seem fine and want to carry chairs and play with energy with something like that wrong. I miss being young and healthy!
I am so sorry for your little one and for you. This stress has got to be huge. I know that it sounds impossible but please take some quiet time for yourself so that you don't burn out. Put someone in charge of keeping him safe & quiet for 30 minutes and just turn the lights out and close your eyes.
Maybe it would be a good idea to take him to the movie store and let him rent all of his favorites. Stock up on his favorite foods too not as a bribe just as positive reinforcement for good behavior, lol.
You might want to explain to him that you understand he wants to be active but if he doesn't take it easy they will immobilize him and explain what that would be like.
We're here for you - keep us posted
Hugs,
Erin :)
Oh Michelle, it does seem like it's always something, doesn't it. The poor guy, this has got to be hard on him staying quiet and still. I'm glad you guys trusted your instincts to get him in to the ped.
I sure hope this all truns out ok. Let us know how the CT goes tomorrow and what they eventually plan to do for him.
Hugs to all of you.
Julie
I sure hope this all truns out ok. Let us know how the CT goes tomorrow and what they eventually plan to do for him.
Hugs to all of you.
Julie
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh my gosh, what a horrible thing to happen, how are YOU feeling, I just can't come close to imagining what your dealing with. HUGS!!!
I dont know how you can keep a young boy imobile, my boy seems to have a 15 minute window of still, then he has to move, I just dont know how your going to do it. The only thing i can think of is books and movies, but if he's a really interactive kind of kid thats not going to keep him still for long.
Let us know what happens!!
Take care.........JJ
I dont know how you can keep a young boy imobile, my boy seems to have a 15 minute window of still, then he has to move, I just dont know how your going to do it. The only thing i can think of is books and movies, but if he's a really interactive kind of kid thats not going to keep him still for long.
Let us know what happens!!
Take care.........JJ
Cr*p....I posted the bit about the Jon Stewart/Colbert trip before I read this......hoep the little tacker is ok...
Best wishes from Aus.
Jemm
Best wishes from Aus.
Jemm
Dear Michelle,
And I thought I was having a bad day, guess not. I am so sorry to hear about Gabe. Keeping that boy down is going to be hard! He's ALWAYS on the move. I'm not sure who to feel the sorriest for , your or him, on trying to stay still.
Please keep us updated on how things go!
Sending big hugs for the both of you!!!!
Ren
And I thought I was having a bad day, guess not. I am so sorry to hear about Gabe. Keeping that boy down is going to be hard! He's ALWAYS on the move. I'm not sure who to feel the sorriest for , your or him, on trying to stay still.
Please keep us updated on how things go!
Sending big hugs for the both of you!!!!
Ren
Michelle:
OMG. You are a lot cooler and collected than I would be under the same circumstances. I'd be one heck of a pushy mother demanding tests that would let me know there is no compromise to his spinal cord or brain and I'm sure that you are on top of this.
How to keep an 8 year old boy inactive? That is going to be a major league job and you are going to need all of the help you can get on this one. Based on his fractures, it sounds like there's no way around limited activity and your boy sounds like a typical boy of his age. You might want to lay it out right for the doctors and tell them what you posted today about how he dragged a chair down the drive. You're the mother of more than one child and in my opinion, it is unrealistic for doctors to expect you to be able to keep a boy of your age inactive for a prolonged period of time.
I hope Quix chimes in on this one. My thought is the doctors should take the responsibility for ensuring he does not do further damage through activity (i.e., provide some sort of immobilization device) as opposed to putting it on you and your son. An 8 year old cannot possibly begin to understand the consequences of physical activity and you cannot watch over him 24/7.
My boy, now grown up, was/is hyperactive. Cannot begin to imagine what you are facing.
Like you said, if its not one thing, its another. Hope that your doctors' visits this week clear up some stuff and make it easier for all of you.
Sending my wishes to you and your family for the best possible treatment for your son and fairy dust to you to help you get through all of this intact!
Audrey
OMG. You are a lot cooler and collected than I would be under the same circumstances. I'd be one heck of a pushy mother demanding tests that would let me know there is no compromise to his spinal cord or brain and I'm sure that you are on top of this.
How to keep an 8 year old boy inactive? That is going to be a major league job and you are going to need all of the help you can get on this one. Based on his fractures, it sounds like there's no way around limited activity and your boy sounds like a typical boy of his age. You might want to lay it out right for the doctors and tell them what you posted today about how he dragged a chair down the drive. You're the mother of more than one child and in my opinion, it is unrealistic for doctors to expect you to be able to keep a boy of your age inactive for a prolonged period of time.
I hope Quix chimes in on this one. My thought is the doctors should take the responsibility for ensuring he does not do further damage through activity (i.e., provide some sort of immobilization device) as opposed to putting it on you and your son. An 8 year old cannot possibly begin to understand the consequences of physical activity and you cannot watch over him 24/7.
My boy, now grown up, was/is hyperactive. Cannot begin to imagine what you are facing.
Like you said, if its not one thing, its another. Hope that your doctors' visits this week clear up some stuff and make it easier for all of you.
Sending my wishes to you and your family for the best possible treatment for your son and fairy dust to you to help you get through all of this intact!
Audrey
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Love,
Ann
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.
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.
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
Stephanie
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
Sending love and prayers to your family and big hugs to you
Sarah xxxx
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
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
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