posted
Wouldn't ya know?!... Just a few days before we head toward Algoma, my 13 year old daredevil son fell and broke his right collar bone! I'm still hopeful that he'll make the trip. The folks in the ER say that this type of injury heals quickly- like 3 or 4 weeks. He wears a restraint that holds his right arm pretty immobile, and he's got pain medication. I don't want him to miss out on a lifetime experience, but I also don't want to harm him. If he was your son, would you encourage him to go? We're driving up with a stopover at my mom's in Kentucky. It'll probably be a 2 day trip. What do y'all think?
-------------------- Nancie W. Phillips White Dove Painting Studio 74 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 678-887-3339
posted
He's 13. I'm sure he'll be fine. I'ts just gonna be hard to get a 13 year old to "Be still" for a while. You don't want him to re-injure himself during the trip. And watch those pain meds. A little discomfort never hurt anyone.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3818 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Tell him to suck it up. . . . .we're going. The world won't stop for ya! Have fun!
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Nancie, I was really taken aback when I saw your post. I was just about to write to you when I saw you were coming to Algoma. I think if you ask the doc and then go by your motherly instincts you probably will make that decision. So sorry about that! I'd say to give him a hug for me, but, guess that's going to have to keep on hold for now! Check your email.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm sure the pain meds he received are safe when they are used as directed. By eliminating the pain, he will be able to relax and rest and ultimately heal.
Ken
-------------------- Ken Holden 7 Oaks Signs 18457 Hwy 22 Ponchatoula, LA 70454 Posts: 144 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry to hear about Michael's accident. Hope you get well soon buddy. I guess you'll see how it will be for him to travel, 2 days in a car is kind of rough to be in pain. maybe might have to kick back at mom's on your way over or rough it out and once you all get to Algoma, his pain will pass once he sees all the action going on. Try and not paint alot with the bad shoulder arm or climb any scaffold.
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
...He can still WALK can't he? Then he should be fine at a wall dog meet (as long as he can stay off of ladders and scaffolding). (!) Though, if he's a whiner he'd be better off at home. Like John A. says, tell him to "suck it up" and have fun!!!
posted
Nancie: This is Barb - Chris' wife. I have to agree with Deb Fowler on using your motherly instincts in combination with what the doctor says (doctor's don't always know best - you know your son). What's your son want to do? If he was really looking forward to it he is more likely to tough it through the pain. Also agree with Pickett - my son's a whiner when he's hurt or sick (and he's 15) so he'd stay home (which usually means Mom does too unfortunately). Decisions, decisions I'm sure you'll do what's best - Mom's always do, just sometimes our kids don't realize that till they have kids of their own. Take care and look forward to seeing you in Algoma - God willing. Barb
-------------------- Chris Shuster BlueGrass Design, Inc. 16 Court St. Winchester, KY 40391 859-737-4199 Posts: 18 | From: Winchester, KY | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Collar bones- there's not a lot you can do for them- ice & arnica for the swelling & bruising, & painkillers if the pain is nasty, but that's about it. An arm sling is the limit. Our daughter Hannah made a nasty double-break 18 months ago when she fell off a horse after it skidded in some mud- but she was up riding it early the next morning despite the pain & my & drs orders to take it easy & keep off horses for a few weeks. In her case it did not mend or knit for three and a half weeks, as she was so active, it kept moving about. Now she has a shorter shoulder on her right, but it's no big deal- 3/4" less is not perceptible- as it finally mended beside the other bit, and the broken off bit is still floating a bit.
Her main issue was mental shock, more than pain- the "how dare this happen to me" attitude!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- The Moon aka: Stefenie Harris Moonlight Designs Pollock Pines, CA learnin' somethin' new every day! stefenie@comcast.net Posts: 550 | From: Pollock Pines, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks, Barb. That's why I come on board: to get some of the best advice in the world, then add it to what I know. I've never regretted coming here for advice on just about anything. I agree with the arnica oil. I tried it on my back and it was really helpful. Plus, the trip may be keeping him from re-injuring himself or getting in the dumps when all his friends are out swimming or biking, etc.
I am contemplating on coming too: I'm right on the way and could help to break up the monotony, at least! You could stay here or just take a break; it's small, but we have 2 bathrooms, hooray for that! Either way, drop me an email. ps. (DVD players are great for kids for long trips).
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
There is nothing like a chnge of scenery to cheer a fellow up. Many a time I have been sick or hurting and did something totally different and soon I was feeling much better. It seems to take your mind off the hurts and gives you something else to occupy your mind. Ask him if he really wants to go, if he does, go for it! My best to him, I'll say a special prayer for him. Best to all of you. Don
-------------------- Donald Miner ABCO Wholesale Neon 1168 Red Hill Creek Dobson, NC Posts: 842 | From: North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lol... I love Rick's answer too! Michael isn't as much of a whiner as his dad was. He is, however, like Ian's daughter, in a bit of a shock that he broke his collar bone. Funny you mention Arnica,Ian, I had told Michael he was going to take it when we were at the hospital... then I totally forgot. Thanks for reminding me! (By the way, the more I hear from you, Ian, the more I like you. You give sage advice often!) I did also pick him up a bottle of Jarrow Bone-Up suppliments. He's gonna take them. I'm pretty sure he'll be coming to Algoma. I kinda expect him to "suck it up" (although I may not put it to him quite that bluntly)... and I don't think a 2 day ride with sufficient breaks for food and well, whatever... will harm him. I'm more inclined that that's safer than him staying with any one of his buddies. I think He'll be there and be fine. But I'll still let him make a final choice if he wants to stay in Lexington.
-------------------- Nancie W. Phillips White Dove Painting Studio 74 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 678-887-3339
posted
When I was 8 I broke my left collar bone, after a week I was ok (with the restraint on) I hiked down a good size mountain (rode the chair lift up) in VT on the second week. I remember as long as I didn't hit my shoulder it was fine.
JAKE
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
As long as it's not completely tore off I think he'll be fine.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Nancie, if you can't get arnica, then peppermint essential-oil works about as well as arnica for cutting swelling & bruising down- just keep it off sensitive skin!
We find some arnica creams pretty weak, and some excellent- it seems to depend on the manufacturer- but the essential oil is very good, and inexpensive. Just dab it on your finger & rub it around the area of tissue injury.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
It only takes 20 lbs. pressure to break a collarbone. The nose and the collarbone are very susceptable areas of the body. I agree with Ian, Arnica or Tiger Balm. Keeping him still in a car for a couple days would probably be good for him if you take lots of pillows for him to get comfortable with.
Besides having a brace like that is a great conversation starter with young girls he may meet on the trip! It may turn out to be advantageous for him.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I'm still hopeful that he'll make the trip. The folks in the ER say that this type of injury heals quickly- like 3 or 4 weeks. He wears a restraint that holds his right arm pretty immobile, and he's got pain medication. I don't want him to miss out on a lifetime experience, but I also don't want to harm him. If he was your son, would you encourage him to go? We're driving up with a stopover at my mom's in Kentucky. It'll probably be a 2 day trip. What do y'all think?
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
It may turn out to be advantageous for him. ![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic