Friday, August 15, 2008

Luke

My grandson Luke broke both of his arms at school today. He's 10 years old (11 in a few weeks) and was on that thing with handles that runs along a cable from one post to another. It's about five feet off the ground. Some boys pushed him to go too fast on it, and when Luke got to the end was knocked off onto the ground. Both bones in both arms are broken about 2" above the wrist. The casts go from his hands to above his elbows. Poor little guy - two compound fractures at once!

My daughter Kathy called while ago after they spent five hours in the emergency room at Childrens Hospital in Chattanooga. They live on Signal Mountain where the kids are in school. They called Kathy from school to tell her he'd been hurt and then met her at the door when she came to school. They said they didn't tell her the extent of it until she got there because they didn't want to upset her too much. The school nurse rode with her to the hospital to keep his arms steady and to be there in case he got sick. She splinted them.

An orthopedist set his arms and said for Luke to see him in a week. Of course, he won't be in school for a while. He can't do anything for himself with both arms broken. The doctor said for him to be really careful walking because our arms help us balance, and he needs to keep from falling. We keep thinking of more and more things he can't do. Everyone will have to help him eat, brush his teeth, dress, do his homework, and everything!

He kept asking to see Kari. She's the middle child (13). Kathy asked if he didn't want to see Kelsey (15) too, and Luke said yes but he really wanted Kari. They all play ball and are active and also good students. Kathy said she was just going to have to accept help getting the girls home from ball practice and would have to miss some games because she needs to be home with Luke. She's a stay-at-home mom and such a good mother.

Luke is the sweetest boy and always has been. Kathy said he apologized to her because she has to do so much for him. Bless his heart, I just hate that this happened. I don't know of many people who have broken both arms like that. Poor little Luke.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I suppose the worst thing from a kid's point of view, is that when he goes back to school, his hands will work enough to have to write or type.
I don't suppose they have a publicly paid home tutoring program? can they get an outpatient nurse for respite time for Kathi?
I can't imagine the pain he must have gone through before they determined what had to be done and could give him medication.What a formidable task before them. Bless them all.
-Charlie

Rhea said...

Wow, that is tough. I can't imagine breaking both arms at the same time. I wish him the best.

Chris said...

Oh that poor boy, that's way too much suffering for someone so small. Hopefully he'll get through it all just fine.

Joy said...

Thank you, everyone. It is a lot for a little guy to go through. He told his mother he wished he'd just broken one arm, so she didn't have to do so much for him and apologized because she had to help him with everything. He's so sweet! His sisters told him he'd be famous when he went back to school and known as that boy who broke both arms for a long time.

David Dust said...

That poor, poor, boy!

Anonymous said...

My great nephew Gavin did the exact same thing 3 weeks ago! He was at church camp and was trying to impress a girl by swinging without holding on. He had to have surgery on one of his arms, but is recovering nicely. He said he has lost all of his dignity because his Mom does EVERYTHING for him. Bless your daughter!

Angel said...

awwww...Poor poor Luke! That sucks being almost 11 nad having your mom have to do EVERYTHING for you...if ya know what I mean.

I hope he recovers faster than they ever expected and has two arms that work again!! Poor baby.

Joy said...

David, that is the funniest avatar ever! You look like a cute little baby bully.

Cindy, I'm glad to hear about Gavin's recovery.

Cindy and Beth, YES that has to be humiliating for sure for boys that age! Bless Kathy, too, for sure! Thanks!

Christo Gonzales said...

I broke both arms in high school from 'jumping' off the roof of the house....

Joy said...

Oh my! How long did it take them to heal? Who helped you with everything? That had to make you feel so helpless. Maybe he'll become a good cook, too. :-)