C'mon Jackson ... you're getting a bit too much attention this month. Usually it's your dramatic .. overly sensitive sister ... or your care-less.. outspoken brother. Guess you've had enough of that. Guess you had to have a birthday. Then be a stud runner. And now ...
This...
Cell rings. Eli. I could tell the second he said "mom" .. that something was wrong. His voice was cracking. And he was calm. Sinking feeling. What's wrong Eli?
"I need you to come get us. Jackson is really hurt."
On my way. I pulled up to the scene and Jackson was sitting in someone's driveway. Two adults standing with him. A towel over his face. I get out ... the towel comes off and he's covered in blood. He had a long boarding accident. Fell face first. No time for the whole story. He got in the car and we drove to the ER.
His head was hurting. He was doing circles around himself. Repeating the same things. Over and over. All I could do was offer a hand to squeeze. And try not to panic myself.
They cleaned him up at hospital. Surveyed the damage. Which was from head to toe. The most common question "were you wearing a helmet?" Why do they immediately look at me before he answers? Okay. Got it. You follow the 13 year old around and try to make him wear it then. I know .. I'm not getting any awards anytime soon. Gave up the dream years ago.
Had a CAT scan. Results = concussion with a skull fracture inside and out. That's a hard hit to the pavement.
Sent us home with some instructions and pain meds. Pain meds .. was funny to watch. He giggled a lot. And would look at me ... and fall on the pillow and sleep.
He was solemn for days. Head hurt for weeks. He missed several days of school. But picked up pretty quickly. A week later asking to get back on the ol' long board. Uh. NO.
Oh .. story behind the fall. He was with friends. One of the friends had a little brother with him. Little bro was tired. Didn't want to walk. J offered his back. Hop on kid. Mistake comes when he gets on long board. Didn't go far or fast .. but foot hit the wheel as he tried to stop. Hands wrapped behind back holding little bro. Fall ... can't catch when hands are tied. Down he went. "I couldn't let him fall mom". Typical Jackson. Not even a split second to make a decision.
He will make a full awesome recovery. Had a follow up with Children's Hospital last week and he's doing great. Healing. Can't play any contact sports for a total of 10 weeks. He's mostly worried about basketball try outs .. and skiing.
And he didn't find it a bit funny when I kept repeating "YOLO"
Stop mom.
Wear your helmet son.
3 comments:
Seriously? I still cry when I see the photos. I'm glad he's recovered so well and that he's back to being good 'ol J-man. Still, no more long boarding gets my vote! Didn't know he had a little dude on him or that he protected him from the fall. Amazing. Love that boy.
Oh wow, that has got to be one scary moment, seeing your son bloody like that and rushing him to the hospital. I once got a nice concussion on my sister's racing bike, but I didn't bleed so my parents just ignored it. A neighbor saw the crash and called to tell them that I was in the driveway all crumpled up. Their solution was just for me to come inside and put an ice pack on my head, I think. I can't remember much. They may not have even done that. Anyway, I'm glad your boy is going to be OK. For what its worth, no one wore helmets for anything but motorcycles when I was a kid and no one called you a bad mom if your kid didn't have one. Also, no one expected a parent to be monitoring their kids 24/7 like they do today. Things have gotten out of hand with the expectation that everyone be a helicopter parent, always hovering. Don't sweat it. You're a great mom and your kids seem healthy, happy and well-adjusted, which is more than a lot of people can say.
what a heart!!!
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