Made the trip to the hip specialist at Methodist yesterday. Ethan has a large (size of a plum) osteoma (bone mass) at the site where the track injury occurred back in the spring of 07. The pelvis broke at the ishcial tuberosity (lower part you sit on). It was pulled apart at the growth plate and the degree of separation was too great to allow it to heal. So for 3 and a half years he has been forming new bone and scar tissue in that area. It is against his sciatic nerve which is causing a lot of his pain.
Doc said that this would be a "big surgery" and not one that they see very often. Because of the proximity of the mass to that main nerve it will be a risky procedure. Also big risk of infection and long, painful recovery from the scraping away of that bone. He will have to take medication for awhile to prevent more unwanted bone growth in that area as he heals. He said it was a big decision for us to make...but basically we are damned if we do and damned if we don't.
This doc also looked at the mri's of his spine and did not like the brace he is in so he asked if I would like him to send us for a second opinion. We will see a different spine specialist on the 23rd. If that spine dr. clears him for surgery on his hip at that time, we will schedule it right away.
Still no answers as to why he has a broken back. Hoping this new doctor will be able to figure that out. This hip doctor from yesterday did say that the vertebrae below the one that is broken has a congential abnormality and could possibly have contributed to the break. That would be fantastic news. Would love to get the big "C" word off the table.
So... in light of everything we have going right now, we made a major decision. As of Friday we have sold the business. SSL Sports is now under new ownership. We will transition everything over during the course of the next couple weeks. This is the local business. We will continue to do all of our university fraternity/sorority business under it's own name. It was a very difficult thing to do but when we were approached by a buyer we knew it needed to happen. The kids come first and really nothing else matters.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
More updates...
Ethan's bone scan showed a spot on his hip along with the area to his spine. Our first fear of course was tumor. We spent a very tense several days awaiting the results from that xray. Thankfully though, we were told that there is a break in the lower part of his pelvis as well. (ischial region) It was classified as an old avulsion fracture. Poor kids been walking around with a broken back AND a broken hip.
As far as we know at this point, this injury is not related to the break in the back and we are pretty sure we know the cause. Two years ago on the first hurdle of the first race of the first track meet of 8th grade, Ethan went down. It was a terrible hamstring injury. He could not walk or bear weight on that leg. We were told both the first and second time we went to the dr. for this that hamstring injuries just take a long time to heal...it was never xrayed and we were more or less just told to ice and rest it.... hmmmm... same advice we were given for his back.....
So anyway, the fracture never healed and now there is a lot of ossified bone in and around that part of his pelvis. Most likely looking at surgery and a possible bone graft to fix it all.
As far as his back goes... we will continue to wait. His next appointment at Riley is on December 3rd. They will do a follow up MRI at that time. If the bones do not show sufficient healing, the next step will be surgery and a biopsy.
He is doing well for the most part. The brace really has helped his pain. He continues to have hip and leg pain but at least we know the source of that now. So we wait.
Have I ever mentioned I am not a very patient person....
As far as we know at this point, this injury is not related to the break in the back and we are pretty sure we know the cause. Two years ago on the first hurdle of the first race of the first track meet of 8th grade, Ethan went down. It was a terrible hamstring injury. He could not walk or bear weight on that leg. We were told both the first and second time we went to the dr. for this that hamstring injuries just take a long time to heal...it was never xrayed and we were more or less just told to ice and rest it.... hmmmm... same advice we were given for his back.....
So anyway, the fracture never healed and now there is a lot of ossified bone in and around that part of his pelvis. Most likely looking at surgery and a possible bone graft to fix it all.
As far as his back goes... we will continue to wait. His next appointment at Riley is on December 3rd. They will do a follow up MRI at that time. If the bones do not show sufficient healing, the next step will be surgery and a biopsy.
He is doing well for the most part. The brace really has helped his pain. He continues to have hip and leg pain but at least we know the source of that now. So we wait.
Have I ever mentioned I am not a very patient person....
Monday, October 18, 2010
Update
Made the trip to Riley on Friday. After the doctor and their radiologist went over Ethan's MRI's we were told that his back is broken at the L4 vertebrae. Not just a simple fracture...there is a huge piece broken off the back side. Apparently the lower lumbar vertebrae are the strongest and most difficult to break and usually don't unless there is some kind of traumatic injury to that area or in an elderly person with osteopoerosis or similar bone disease. So the new question became why would this happen in an otherwise healthy 16 year old.
Riley isn't your typical hospital and things were very well orchestrated. We were able to have several more tests run while we were there including a CT scan and he was fitted for the brace he is now wearing. There were no long waits and we were well taken care of. Thursday of this week he will have a nuclear bone scan to look for underlying disease processes that may cause weakening of the bones.
Ethan is understandably very down. The brace is very uncomfortable because it has to be so tight. He is having a hard time adjusting to it. Please continue to pray for his healing, for answers, and for our strength as we deal with whatever the outcome may be.
The song playing is one of his favorites. His favorite verse is from Isaiah 40:28-31... "The Everlasting God, will never grow faint or weary. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may grow faint and tired, and young men may stumble and fall, but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength." He has an unwavering faith and I am so thankful for that.
Riley isn't your typical hospital and things were very well orchestrated. We were able to have several more tests run while we were there including a CT scan and he was fitted for the brace he is now wearing. There were no long waits and we were well taken care of. Thursday of this week he will have a nuclear bone scan to look for underlying disease processes that may cause weakening of the bones.
Ethan is understandably very down. The brace is very uncomfortable because it has to be so tight. He is having a hard time adjusting to it. Please continue to pray for his healing, for answers, and for our strength as we deal with whatever the outcome may be.
The song playing is one of his favorites. His favorite verse is from Isaiah 40:28-31... "The Everlasting God, will never grow faint or weary. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may grow faint and tired, and young men may stumble and fall, but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength." He has an unwavering faith and I am so thankful for that.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Prayers for Ethan...
Ethan suffers from chronic low back pain. He has pain every day. Somedays it's just a mild ache and somedays it's hard for him to sit or stand or lay down. I've taken him to the doctor 3 times for this over the course of the last year. Each time I was told it was because he was growing so fast the muscles couldn't keep up. Granted, he has grown... a lot... standing almost 6'1" now. But all the ibuprofen and stretching exercises they were giving us were getting us nowhere.
So when the pain started radiating down one leg and he started having some numbness and tingling we made yet another trip to Jasper. With this new set of symptoms the doc FINALLY took it seriously enough to order an MRI. Being a nurse and knowing my kid like I do, I should have insisted on that the last time, but I like to feel like I can trust my doctor. Hindsight... Mom's...always trust your gut instincts.
Today we go for a second MRI with contrast. The first MRI showed not one, but 3 bulging discs, one with some mild spinal stenosis and one pressing on a nerve root. No wonder the poor boy has been in so much pain. There were also many Smorl's nodes...not exactly sure what that is, but according to the radiologist is an indicator of Scheuermann's Disease... which when present in the lumbar region is actually called Juvenille Discogenic Disease...which is the equivalent of adult Degenerative Disc Disease. Don't know if you followed all that or not but in other words... it's not a good thing.
Friday morning we will take the results from both MRI's and meet with a pediatric neurosurgeon up at Riley. It's no fun hearing your child's name in the same sentence with "Riley" and "neurosurgeon" let me tell you.
So anyway... any prayers sent our way would be appreciated. God willing I will be able to post a positive update over the weekend.
Ethan had a writing assignment recently that was suppose to begin "I am what I am." I don't often get to see his assignments anymore, but I came upon this one and I just loved it... so I snuck a copy. He would not be happy with me if he knew I posted it here, but since he doesn't read mom's blog I am doing it anyway :). He described himself so acurately. Just as I see him. Nice to know he knows exactly who he is. I know I didn't at 16.
I am what I am...by Ethan Jones
I am what I am and that's all that I am...
I am the country boy that everyone knows and loves.
I am what I am.
I am the dirt road kid that was raised the right way.
I am the person people know they can turn to when they're in a tight spot...
I am what I am.
I am what I am...
I am the kid in the back just hanging out.
I am a quiet, but loud when I need to be kind of guy.
I am what I am.
I am the guy that makes up for others mistakes.
I am always watching out for my friends.
I am what I want to be...I am what makes me happy...
I am what I am.
I am what I am...
I am the average baseball player that has his fare share of playing time and sitting the bench.
I am the athletic kid that loves trucks and four wheelers.
I am what I am.
I am the student that friends come to for school work help.
I am the down to earth kid that I have always wanted to be...
I am what I am.
So when the pain started radiating down one leg and he started having some numbness and tingling we made yet another trip to Jasper. With this new set of symptoms the doc FINALLY took it seriously enough to order an MRI. Being a nurse and knowing my kid like I do, I should have insisted on that the last time, but I like to feel like I can trust my doctor. Hindsight... Mom's...always trust your gut instincts.
Today we go for a second MRI with contrast. The first MRI showed not one, but 3 bulging discs, one with some mild spinal stenosis and one pressing on a nerve root. No wonder the poor boy has been in so much pain. There were also many Smorl's nodes...not exactly sure what that is, but according to the radiologist is an indicator of Scheuermann's Disease... which when present in the lumbar region is actually called Juvenille Discogenic Disease...which is the equivalent of adult Degenerative Disc Disease. Don't know if you followed all that or not but in other words... it's not a good thing.
Friday morning we will take the results from both MRI's and meet with a pediatric neurosurgeon up at Riley. It's no fun hearing your child's name in the same sentence with "Riley" and "neurosurgeon" let me tell you.
So anyway... any prayers sent our way would be appreciated. God willing I will be able to post a positive update over the weekend.
Ethan had a writing assignment recently that was suppose to begin "I am what I am." I don't often get to see his assignments anymore, but I came upon this one and I just loved it... so I snuck a copy. He would not be happy with me if he knew I posted it here, but since he doesn't read mom's blog I am doing it anyway :). He described himself so acurately. Just as I see him. Nice to know he knows exactly who he is. I know I didn't at 16.
I am what I am...by Ethan Jones
I am what I am and that's all that I am...
I am the country boy that everyone knows and loves.
I am what I am.
I am the dirt road kid that was raised the right way.
I am the person people know they can turn to when they're in a tight spot...
I am what I am.
I am what I am...
I am the kid in the back just hanging out.
I am a quiet, but loud when I need to be kind of guy.
I am what I am.
I am the guy that makes up for others mistakes.
I am always watching out for my friends.
I am what I want to be...I am what makes me happy...
I am what I am.
I am what I am...
I am the average baseball player that has his fare share of playing time and sitting the bench.
I am the athletic kid that loves trucks and four wheelers.
I am what I am.
I am the student that friends come to for school work help.
I am the down to earth kid that I have always wanted to be...
I am what I am.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
"So it's sorta social...
Demented and sad...but social." Can you name that movie in one quote? One of my all time top fives. The Breakfast Club. I saw this morning that the cast (minus Emilio) reunited for the 25th anniversary of the movie. OMG!
So I got to thinking about the movie and the messages that go with it about social order and fitting in and all that stuff...which led me to think about FB... which is also at times sorta demented and sad... but social.
Just like the characters in the movie; the brain, the princess, the jock, the basket case, and the criminal... there are also distincly different characters on fb. Each one bringing their own bit of entertainment to the table.
First, there is the closet user. You know the type. Wants to be part of the scene but only watches from the shadows. Maybe a little afraid to admit they've succumbed to the social pressure of joining. You know they're on there cause you see their little green dot. But they never comment or post anything. They just watch.
Then there is the stalker. These are usually the people from your past whose sole purpose on fb is just to look at your pictures cause they either loved you once and can't let go or you really made them mad in high school and they want to see if you've gotten fat over the years.
Gotta love the drama seekers. These are the folks who post status' in order to either upset people, cause controversy or call attention to themselves. These folks crave attention and the more sorry they can make you feel for them and the more comments they can collect, the more they love it. Perhaps the saddest of the fb heirarchy.
Ahhh... the true fb addict. This particular breed of facebooker post 100 times a day and you always know exactly where they are, what they are doing, and when they last took a bathroom break. I find these people the most entertaining.
And finally, the social butterflies. These people just truly enjoy the interaction with others. They don't over post or under post. They comment appropriately. They have no hidden agendas or addictions or issues with over-use. Just really enjoy checking in with people once in awhile.
So there you have it. My random take on the similarities between The Breakfast Club and Facebook. I know your asking yourselves where the heck this blog came from, so I'll answer by ending this post with a modification of the most famous excerpt from the movie...
"Dear Loyal Readers: I accept the fact that I had to sacrifice a whole Wednesday morning on blogspot for whatever it was that prompted this blog. You may think I'm crazy to write a blog telling you who I think you are. I see you as I want to see you: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But, what I have found out is that each one of us is. . . a closet user . . . a stalker . . . a drama seeker . . . an addict . . . and a social butterfly. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, The FB Club."
So I got to thinking about the movie and the messages that go with it about social order and fitting in and all that stuff...which led me to think about FB... which is also at times sorta demented and sad... but social.
Just like the characters in the movie; the brain, the princess, the jock, the basket case, and the criminal... there are also distincly different characters on fb. Each one bringing their own bit of entertainment to the table.
First, there is the closet user. You know the type. Wants to be part of the scene but only watches from the shadows. Maybe a little afraid to admit they've succumbed to the social pressure of joining. You know they're on there cause you see their little green dot. But they never comment or post anything. They just watch.
Then there is the stalker. These are usually the people from your past whose sole purpose on fb is just to look at your pictures cause they either loved you once and can't let go or you really made them mad in high school and they want to see if you've gotten fat over the years.
Gotta love the drama seekers. These are the folks who post status' in order to either upset people, cause controversy or call attention to themselves. These folks crave attention and the more sorry they can make you feel for them and the more comments they can collect, the more they love it. Perhaps the saddest of the fb heirarchy.
Ahhh... the true fb addict. This particular breed of facebooker post 100 times a day and you always know exactly where they are, what they are doing, and when they last took a bathroom break. I find these people the most entertaining.
And finally, the social butterflies. These people just truly enjoy the interaction with others. They don't over post or under post. They comment appropriately. They have no hidden agendas or addictions or issues with over-use. Just really enjoy checking in with people once in awhile.
So there you have it. My random take on the similarities between The Breakfast Club and Facebook. I know your asking yourselves where the heck this blog came from, so I'll answer by ending this post with a modification of the most famous excerpt from the movie...
"Dear Loyal Readers: I accept the fact that I had to sacrifice a whole Wednesday morning on blogspot for whatever it was that prompted this blog. You may think I'm crazy to write a blog telling you who I think you are. I see you as I want to see you: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But, what I have found out is that each one of us is. . . a closet user . . . a stalker . . . a drama seeker . . . an addict . . . and a social butterfly. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, The FB Club."
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Birthday's, First Days, and Bifocals...
Since my last post Jaden has celebrated his 7th birthday with the traditional party at Papaw Burns'... Hard to believe that he could be 7 and a first grader. I don't know where the time goes.
Also, since my last post, Ava has started preschool. She walked in like she owned the place...hung up her Dora backpack...told me bye and never looked back. All 30 pounds of pure independance left me standing there wondering what the heck I'm gonna do now. All of the sudden there are 6 hours each week that I have ALL 4 kids in school. Truth be told, I don't like it much. I'm a mom. It's what I do. When my kids aren't around I tend to be slightly lost. I am thankful that even though I have only a short time left with my oldest... I have many years left with my baby girl. I looked at Ethan last night as he was holding Ava. She had her little arms wrapped around his neck and they were smooching and exchanging I love you's. One so tall and so grown up looking, holding one so petite and just starting out. I got all teary. It was a good teary though. God knows what being a mom means to me and he has made sure that I will always have babies around me. What a blessing.
On a side note...I was forced to surrender to the bifocal this month. Turning 43 and receiving such a symbol of old age just doesn't seem fair to me. As my ever faithful bestie put it so lovingly in text message... "you are officially old." What a melancholic moment... (and I use that word correctly:) Oh well, I am slowly learning to take this aging thing in stride. Like dad always says... It's better than the alternative.
Also, since my last post, Ava has started preschool. She walked in like she owned the place...hung up her Dora backpack...told me bye and never looked back. All 30 pounds of pure independance left me standing there wondering what the heck I'm gonna do now. All of the sudden there are 6 hours each week that I have ALL 4 kids in school. Truth be told, I don't like it much. I'm a mom. It's what I do. When my kids aren't around I tend to be slightly lost. I am thankful that even though I have only a short time left with my oldest... I have many years left with my baby girl. I looked at Ethan last night as he was holding Ava. She had her little arms wrapped around his neck and they were smooching and exchanging I love you's. One so tall and so grown up looking, holding one so petite and just starting out. I got all teary. It was a good teary though. God knows what being a mom means to me and he has made sure that I will always have babies around me. What a blessing.
On a side note...I was forced to surrender to the bifocal this month. Turning 43 and receiving such a symbol of old age just doesn't seem fair to me. As my ever faithful bestie put it so lovingly in text message... "you are officially old." What a melancholic moment... (and I use that word correctly:) Oh well, I am slowly learning to take this aging thing in stride. Like dad always says... It's better than the alternative.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Three months gone by...
Almost four actually. I have found myself with a little time this morning so I thought maybe I should use it to get back among the land of the blogging. Not only have I myself not blogged... I haven't even been on to read other people's blogs. I was happy to find today that I have not been the only one with lack of time/words lately.
We have had an eventful summer. Lots of work as usual. Took the big extended family trip to florida...which went well...once we got over the near fatal car crash on the way down. We are thankful to be alive, nearly past the post traumatic stress of it, and got a new van out of the deal. We celebrated Ethan's 16th birthday in a very non-eventful way. (How was I suppose to know boys don't want a big sweet sixteen party?...I'm still dealing with that disappointment...cause MOM wanted the big party!) Austin rocked the Battle of the Bands at catfish festival... I attended my 25th high school reunion and surprisingly had a great time. It was actually a good experience for all of us. Very cool to reconnect. We are in negotiations to expand the business in a huge way...a very nationwide way...wish us luck on that. All the kids are doing well. I survived another first day of school. Ava is preparing for pre-school...Jaden is liking first grade... Austin is semi-enjoying eighth... and Ethan is tolerating his sophomore year. He is in his first "real" realtionship... head over heels in love... and a joy to watch. Friday he leaves to attend the Chrysallis at Camp Illiana, which is essentially the Walk to Emmaus for 16 to 18 year old boys. He is very excited and we are too as you can imagine.
That's it in a nutshell...here are some pics and a video to go along with it...
Hit from behind at 75 mph...not once but 3 times...boys covered in glass but not a scratch...a little whiplash...a rental vehicle...and on with vacay...God is good
Jones Triple Dip in Florida
Reunion pics
That 1 Band - Catfish Festival (paust playlist to listen)
Ethan and Aimee... a match made in heaven :)
We have had an eventful summer. Lots of work as usual. Took the big extended family trip to florida...which went well...once we got over the near fatal car crash on the way down. We are thankful to be alive, nearly past the post traumatic stress of it, and got a new van out of the deal. We celebrated Ethan's 16th birthday in a very non-eventful way. (How was I suppose to know boys don't want a big sweet sixteen party?...I'm still dealing with that disappointment...cause MOM wanted the big party!) Austin rocked the Battle of the Bands at catfish festival... I attended my 25th high school reunion and surprisingly had a great time. It was actually a good experience for all of us. Very cool to reconnect. We are in negotiations to expand the business in a huge way...a very nationwide way...wish us luck on that. All the kids are doing well. I survived another first day of school. Ava is preparing for pre-school...Jaden is liking first grade... Austin is semi-enjoying eighth... and Ethan is tolerating his sophomore year. He is in his first "real" realtionship... head over heels in love... and a joy to watch. Friday he leaves to attend the Chrysallis at Camp Illiana, which is essentially the Walk to Emmaus for 16 to 18 year old boys. He is very excited and we are too as you can imagine.
That's it in a nutshell...here are some pics and a video to go along with it...
Hit from behind at 75 mph...not once but 3 times...boys covered in glass but not a scratch...a little whiplash...a rental vehicle...and on with vacay...God is good
Jones Triple Dip in Florida
Reunion pics
That 1 Band - Catfish Festival (paust playlist to listen)
Ethan and Aimee... a match made in heaven :)
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