Senior Year, Finals, and Surgery
Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
In just a few hours, my son, Justin, will be having surgery on his right shoulder. We knew this day would come the moment he fell in love with dirt bikes. Five dislocations later, the day has finally arrived.
We were hoping he would get through his senior year before having the surgery, but his shoulder had other plans.
After the first three dislocations--which came by way of flying through the air, thinking he was Superman--only to find out otherwise, his shoulder decided to rebel. During a safe and unintimidating game of Volleyball, just before Thanksgiving, it popped out of place as he served the ball. His friends helped him to the office and three hours later, we were in the Emergency room for the 4th time. The X-Rays showed extensive damage to the shoulder socket. The 5th and final dislocation came a week later while he was sleeping. Apparently, it was too much pressure to turn over and it slipped out.
Justin was not a happy kid--no work and no riding--period. For an active teenager, this was like a death sentence. Xbox 360 is only fun when you GET to play, not when it's the only thing you can do.
The long awaited appointment with the surgeon came Friday, January 18th. It was as suspected--surgery as soon as possible or risk further damage, thereby requiring a shoulder replacement.
How lucky is this kid, his surgery was set for the following Monday--which is perfect as there is no school--and even more convenient since Finals are scheduled for Thursday and Friday of the same week. Justin--being the stubborn kid he is, seems to think he can manage his finals while he is pumped up on muscle relaxers and painkillers. "Yeah, I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors--literally", I say. Just to be safe, I am getting a doctor's note to give him extra time.
Even though this is something brought on by his choice of sport, I can't help but feel sorry for him. Senior year is supposed to be the most memorable. One filled with lots of fun and exciting adventures. He is so ready to have this surgery and cannot wait to get back to work, and of course riding. Some might say we are nuts to let him ride again but we can't live life defeated and afraid to have fun because of the risks involved.
Thinking about this as I write, I am left with one conclusion. God is merciful, this I know. In this case, it will keep my son from following through with the crazy idea he and his buddies have for Senior Prank Day--this being to ride their dirt bikes to school, through the Senior Hall, and ride like crazy through the woods to hide out at our house!
Any surgery for your child can be tramatic for both. My husband had shoulder surgery nearly a year ago and still has problems with his (ostiperous???) At any rate, the surgeon implanted a pain pump in his shoulder and now we think his problems are a result of the pain pump.Hope your son has better luck.SandraHi Sandra, that sounds painful. I will remember to pray for your husbands shoulder.The doctor is going to do give him a shot in the nerve to put his arm to sleep for 12 hours after the surgery. It is called a pain blocker. It makes sense that the pain after any kind of surgery would be so painful.Thanks for the well wishes! I appreciate it.
Great article!Hi Anon,Thanks! Many blessings to you!
Teresa,Thanks for sharing such a touching story. Some luck for Justin. But as you stated: "...God is merciful.." That indeed! And it's a blessing things are in favor for your family.Stay BlessedThanks Ronyae! I appreciate it a whole big bunch!! The recovery process will be long and painful, but it will be worth it!
I had lower back damage from a car accident awhile back and those nerve blockers are an amazing thing, but they don't let you know just how bad you are hurting and you want to move around more than you probably should.Tell him you sold the bike and he'll probably pass out, that should keep him still for awhile. I sure hope everything turns out okay so he can get back to doing what he loves. He'll probably do it with or without your blessing when he's old enough to no longer need it so you might as well go along for the ride ... wear a helmet of course and good luck! lolHi Myla! Thanks for the support. I love your idea :-).And you are right, he will do it with or without my blessing. Thankfully we don't have to fit about protective gear. He takes that very seriously. Everything went well, we just got home, its the healing process as you know that takes time.
Boys.....how many do you have? I have 2 so.......boys like to jump and tear on bikes. Well I did to but I didn't have the nerve for the big jumps.Prays for your son and your family that everything will be ok. I have a friend that has had I don't know how many surgeries on his hip since he was 19 and he is now 43. All due to upsetting a dirtbike a few times. He had his hip half replaced, and had pins in it etc. he is in constant pain. He is not allowed anymore surgeries, and his hip is bad, so they are looking at fusing it, or if they have to remove it........so tell you son to take it easy on that thing, and that all these injuries hurt now, but when you get older those injuries from the past hurt worse....LOL He will be fine.....love kathyOh My! I sure hope and pray it doesn't got that far! I am truly grateful I only have one son and I have a daugther who won't ride them. So whew!Thanks for the prayers, Kathy! Lord bless you!
Wow, kiddo you guys have had a rough time lately. You know I'm praying for you all. Justin is just being himself, it just doesn't help Mom's nerves.
2 Timothy 1:7: "God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
That being said: don't be afraid, you have the power of prayer behind you, lots of people love you (most of all God) and I know you have a sound mind. (smile)
Love and hugs,
CathyKathy, how perfect was this Scripture! Thank you. Art was so bummed he couldn't be here to be with J and to help me with his after care. But I know that my Lord is with me and the support and prayers of all our friends give me the confidence I need to move forward. My sister lives close by and she is going to stay with him on Tuesday just to make sure he is doing okay. He is going to tough it out and go to school Wed, but did agree that he will be in no condition to take on his finals. So he will have some extra study time.Art talked with him for quite awhile yesterday before surgery so that made them both feel better. I will keep you posted.
Teresa, I just had to join your fan club! You always write great articles and I thank you for that!Keep up the great work!Thx a bunch.Hey Peter, thanks! You made me blush. I am honored to have you as my fan, you entertain me as well with your creative and fresh delivery of how to make.....!I do hope your cook books find their way to Barnes and Noble. Keep up the good work as well! I thought I had aleady joined your fan club, but I was wrong...for once in my life. :-)I'm on my way to do that now.Blessings!
Hi Teresa.Boys will be boys and I can imagine he is already thinking about the time he will be able to ride his dirt bike again. I sincerely hope that he will do it with a little more care in the future ... fray his mother's nerves a bit less.I'm glad the surgery went well.Thanks for the update and keep me posted, please.Hugs,DianneHi Dianne!Thanks for the moral support :-)He starts therapy on Monday afternoon. He is insisting he will be ready for finals.I don't know where he gets his stubborness and drive from :-) It's got to be his daddy :-)Have a great week!Love,Teresa
Well Teresa, I can certainly identify with this, although my wife does not ride a dirt bike, she tore her rotator cuff, and had a bone spur in her shoulder in a work related incident which had to be operated on, not to mention, same work related incident where she had to get her right elbow operated fixed. She is a store mgr, and got this injury (two of them) because corporate would not fix the electric jack that she had to pull around the stock room....it weighed allot, not to mention having to physically pull the load she was trying to move, a pallet of bottled water, etc. She is recooping, and it has take a year to heal, and is still healing...takes awhile so I can certainly identify what you will be or are, going through. Hang in there.....thearapy and rest will take care of it over time. I hope he is alright...loved the article, keep up the good work, your fan, GaryHi Gary,O My! She has been through the ringer! Fortunately she has you to take good care of her. I will pray she has a 100% recovery, albeit slow.. Thanks for your encouraging words. He starts Therapy Monday.And as of last night, his girlfriend and me finally convinced him to put off his finals. yay! He is going to attempt school today...Thanks again, your fan and friend, Teresa
hi t,i'm sorry for justin, and for you.we mother's hate when our kids are in pain, almost as much as when they are recuperating! :)i hope everything works out well for all,my best,sueThanks Sue!He starts therapy tomorrow. The biggest issue is making sure he wears his brace like he should. He is already complaining about it and says he doesn't see why he needs to..... Boys!!!!
