Thursday, January 24, 2008

Week Turned Upside Down...


I can't believe how this week has changed from our original plans! It has turned out completely different than we had planned!!





It all started on Monday evening when we, at my invitation, met with 2 other families from the ward and went to the Church to play Basketball. It started off with a fun game of "Knockout" and just shooting around and a little visiting. Then we started into a regular game of Basketball.

I guess mixing young kids and adults on the court wasn't that great of an idea. As Laren raced down the court, at one point, he stopped suddenly, or tried to. He didn't want to run over the little ones in front of him. But his body kept going and he plunged forward tearing his patellar tendon and completely severing it.

He went into a state of shock and felt like he was going to vomit. His face turned ghostly white and his right knee was in pain, lots of pain. Soon his knee was the size of a large grapefruit. We iced it immediately, thanks to whoever it was that left a partial bag of ice in the freezer in the kitchen.


Laren with his crutches yesterday.


One of our friends called another friend in the ward who is a doctor and was able to secure some crutches for us. Then the two guys that we were with gave him a blessing. The blessing said his knee would be "numbed" and he wouldn't feel the pain. The guys carefully carried Laren to the van. He couldn't walk or bear any weight on the knee - at all!

First thing Tuesday morning we had the doctor's office on the phone. We were not supposed to get in until Friday, but by some miracle a more experienced nurse was listening in on the call and when she heard of what happened she was able to get him in yesterday to a "Joint Specialist." They took x-rays. And he knew immediately what the problem was.

Laren's knee cap is 3-4 inches above his knee. The Joint Specialist went and got the Surgeon, right then and there. He said it was really bad and Laren needed surgery sooner than later. Thankfully, Laren had seen this same doctor last Fall for a torn Meniscus. If we were not an "established" patient this process would have taken much longer. Then the PA (physician's assistant) came in and explained a bunch of stuff to us and a nurse came in and put Laren's leg in a brace.

We have surgery scheduled for today. And true to the blessings promise, and to everyone's surprise including the doctors, Laren has not had any pain since the initial trauma. I cannot believe how in one instant our lives have been turned upside down! All those plans I posted about earlier in the week -- out the window. I have turned into chief chauffeur. Laren cannot drive at all!



On Tuesday he insisted on going into work for some meetings in the afternoon. Consequently between taking kids to and from school 3 times and taking Laren to and from Downtown Denver, I spent most of my day on the road. Yesterday was much the same but instead of taking Laren to work we were headed to the Doctor.




I'm so happy I can help. It's just turned everything around for my week. And so much for our budget! We have a deductible to meet on our medical bills, and it looks like we are meeting it and surpassing it today!!



Here's hoping his surgery goes well!

12 comments:

Kelly said...

Oh Wow, and Ow! Good luck today on the surgery and recovery.

donna said...

OH mY!!!!!! good luck with the surgery.

Denise said...

Aw man, just what you needed, huh? I hope surgery goes well today. That sounds so painful!

Anonymous said...

Ugh.. Poor Laren and Poor YOU!
Greg was in Germany when Kyle had to get crutches (the first time around). Not fun at all!!! At least until he could put weight on his leg. Can Laren bear any weight yet?

Julianne said...

Craziness! I'm glad he's all right!

Victoria said...

So sorry Kari, hope Laren heals quickly and all goes well. {{hugs}}

Jen said...

Oh no!!!! Hope Laren is feeling better and the recovery is quick. Bummer about your week Kari. At least you have a captive audience with them corraled in the car. Our former bishop called this "prime time", lol. They can't go anywhere and you can share whatever kind of message you're feeling. (((((Much hugs & prayers)))))

Alisa said...

I thought I posted last night....you are in my prayers along with Laren and the whole family....let us know how things are....

Alisa

Serendipity said...

Ouch...Hope Laren is off to a quick recovery, and your next week is less eventful!

Seriously, I hope everything goes well...

Shayla said...

Oh Kari! How awful for Laren! And all the craziness for you! Sounds like you're taking awesome care of him... You are missed, but gee, I can't imagine why you don't have anytime to chat/post...lol. ((HUGS!))

jenny said...

Sorry about his knee. Ouch is right. I hope the surgery goes well!!

Leah said...

Your story, especially the blessing, is amazing. It's neat to see God's hand in so many things. I'm so glad the surgery went well and he is on the road to healing.