Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Friday, May 26, 2006

Last Day of School

It's the last day of school here. And my 15-year-old's best friend will be spending it in surgery. Last night the boys gathered at a friend's house. They decided to take turns jumping out of a tree and onto a trampoline. I have to confess that it doesn't surprise me much. My kids have always been thrill seekers and have broken thirteen bones between them. Their friends are the same way. This time, though, it was my son's friend, Doug, who was hurt.

The branch he was on broke, and he fell. Thankfully, he still managed to fling himself onto the trampoline. I shudder to think what would have happened if he'd missed. As it was, the impact broke both shin bones in his left leg. It was a compound fracture (which is what they call a break where the bone is sticking out).

The ambulance came and took him to the hospital. For some reason the ER called in a spinal doctor. The doc took one look at Doug's leg and said, "I can't do this." So, he put the boy under and cleaned up all the denim and dirt that was imbedded inside his leg, then wrapped it up and put it in the splint.

The orthopedic surgeon will see Doug today around noon. And surgery will shortly follow that visit, I'm sure.

It will be a long, long summer for our friend. He's the drummer in our son's band and they were supposed to have had their first gig tonight. He was scheduled to get his driver's license next week, and a job after that. And, horror-of-horrors, he missed the opening midnight showing of X-Men III (which is where all the boys went once they saw Doug safely to the hospital).

I hope this makes a lasting impression on the boys. I hope they realize now how fragile their bodies are. This is Doug's third visit to the ER this school year. In November, he smashed in his face with his knee while on the trampoline. In April, he was bitten by a snake while the boys were playing "Capture the Flag" after dark in the woods. Then last night, this compound fracture. He's the sweetest thing, too. Quick to smile. Easy going. Helpful around the house.

My husband and I sat with his mom last night during the "clean up" procedure. She told us that the trampoline is "outta here." Now, we just hope the boys don't replace the trampoline with a mattress (which they've done before).

Hope you have a good and *safe* holiday weekend.

posted by Deeanne at 9:50 AM

4 Comments:

Barb said...: Golly shucks, I wonder where those Gist kids get their thrill-seeking gene??? :oD
Deeanne said...: Not me!! I spent my youth playing Barbie dolls! I'm afraid we can lay all the adventuresome genes at Mr. Gist's feet.
Barb said...: I find that very hard to believe somehow, but we'll let you off this time cuz it's a holiday weekend and you write such good books!
Tiff/Amber Miller said...: "Boys will be boys," they say, but sometimes, they go too far. However, I have yet to meet a man who admits that he regrets the broken bones and scars of his youth. Usually, they're quite proud and boast about them! *shakes head* Men! :)