"Never a Dull Moment"

Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 08:21

We got the call from camp yesterday afternoon.  Son Nathan, age 14, broke his left femur in three places just above the knee via a rope swing mishap at camp yesterday aft. 

Apparently Nathan was alone at the swing when he crashed/fell .  He laid on the ground hollering his head off for who knows how long until someone heard him and rushed for help.  The medical team was unable to lift and carry Nathan out of the ravine where the rope swing is located.  So the helicopter hovered over the ravine, lowered a gurney which Nathan was loaded onto (after receiving morphine) and reeled into the chopper.  Nathan was airlifted from camp to Harborview Hospital in Seattle. I talked to him on the phone around midnight last night and told him next time he wants a helicopter ride, JUST ASK!

Nathan had surgery this morning.  The Orthopedic team inserted a plate and a couple screws.  There is a chance of permanent leg length disparity.  My husband, Chris, zoomed up to the hospital yest. and has been with Nathan all day.  We have one vehicle and someone had to stay home and "wo-man the fort" with our 3 other boys.  The surgery went well and Nathan was just returned to his room on the 8th floor after being released from Recovery.  He may be in the hospital another 2-3 days.   It's "never a dull moment" with four boys in the family!

Hopefully Chris will be able to come home tonight to get some rest.  Even at $3.05/gal for gas, it's cheaper to fill up the tank and drive the 2.5 hours to Seattle than it is to get a motel room overnight.  We'll head back to the hospital together tomorrow.  Friends from church will watch our boys for us.

Doubtless every Mom reading this knows EXACTLY how I feel.  While awaiting further news, I s'pose I'm doing what I do best - reading Dickens and Austen and trying to keep Hershey's solvent single-handedly.   Thankful for friends who've been generous with their kind thoughts and prayers, and for the Great Faithfulness of the Great Physician.

Praying

Posted by cindy on Monday, July 30, 2007 at 09:48 - Link

oh friend I know how you feel. My oldest son did something similar while he was away at camp., only thing for him they didn't realize his heal was broken. They had him continue activities until three days later when he finally couldn't get out of bed from the pain he was feeling. THEN they called us and brought him home. At which point they had to re-break the bone to set it correctly.
My prayers are with you and your son (and the rest of the family) I know your heart will be more at ease once he is safe at home. God Bless you!