It was the most unsettling, nervous, emotional and longest 5 mile drive of my life. I was following the paramedics to the hospital. Stay strong - Be brave - I kept thinking.
It was early afternoon. Sydney and I were in the stands, folks gathered around us. It's a hot late October Saturday football game. We all look on as the ball is kicked off to start the game. The first play - I didn't even see it happen. I just hear those around me saying... he's hurt, he's down, someone call 911.
Then the mother next to me grabs my arm and says 'It's yours - It's Luke'
I still have no idea what happened, I don't even see the commotion. They ushered me and I ran down to the field leaving Sydney behind as she's crying and confused. I get down there and see him walking toward the sidelines fighting back tears. Al is with him, thank goodness I think - he's fine.
He's hot and sweaty, wearing the same bewildered face as me. Then I notice his left arm resting on a clipboard, his football glove still on. They said it looks bad - I still don't notice anything. By now they have an icy towel resting on top.
We walk him out to the curb toward the sounds of sirens, the 911 calls have already produced the paramedics. It seems unnecessary. They approached us and got some information, the others attended to Luke peeking under the towel.
'Bud we are going to need to cut off the glove so we can get a better look.'
Now a fire truck has also arrived. The firefighters and EMT's exchange conversation about football games, injuries and the like. Our friends bring Sydney over, she's scared and crying. She kisses Luke and they let us know they will keep her for the day.
I'm busy with insurance cards and questions, Luke is attended to as he rests on the curb. They all walk over to take a look at his arm, each with the same taken a-back kind of look on their face. They discuss which of the two closest hospitals is least busy, Methodist they decide. I hear them radio it in as an 'obvious distortion' - my stomach dropped.
It all happened so fast. The IV was started and he was loaded on a stretcher and into the back of the ambulance. I jumped in my car. Parents aren't allowed to ride in back and hold their hand as I had imagined. Instead I was forced to follow them as they cared for him, these tender strangers. They were all amazing, asking him about his game, complimenting him on his composure, and distracting him from the obvious.
We had a room in the ER right away, they did the admitting paperwork from a rolling station which was nice so we both got to stay with him. The doctor arrived and it was time to see the damage.
Now I see what they were all taking turns looking at on the curb. It was obviously distorted - a compound fraction of the radius and ulna.
Basically, he had a complete break of both bones when he planted his arm to brace his fall.
We took a peek under the towel...
Within a few hours he was moved to a casting room where they were planning to reset his bones. This is the most painful procedure to watch... I'm in awe at his strength and cooperation.
Thankfully there was a TV in the room and even better - the USC game had just started. Every TV tuned in as it was an obvious choice being in Pasadena, even the nurses wore USC scrubs. Luke thought it was the greatest hospital ever.
After three excrutiating failed attempts it was off to the OR. He was put under anesthesia and thankfully they were able to reset the break with closed reduction. About an hour and a half later we were allowed to see him in recovery, he was then moved to the pediatric unit for the night.
He woke slowly, groggy and starving. He finally cried, just a little. He was sad and in shock with all that happened. He was nervous it wouldn't heal ok. We hugged him and kissed him... he dozed off.
We sat by his side for the next few hours. I left the hospital at about 10pm to pick up Sydney. She had gone to her Cheer Game that night and was with her Cheer Coach. She had offered to let her stay the night but I missed her and wanted to let her know everything was ok.
Just before midnight I get a call that they are coming home, Luke wanted to sleep in his own bed. I'm glad, I miss him too and it feels better to have us all under one roof.
It's been a long and emotional day.
The next few weeks and months of recovery will feel even longer I'm sure.
