I fell behind in blogging quite early in February, but there was a pretty significant reason I got derailed. Those of you who know me on Facebook are already up to speed, but obviously this is the place I want to preserve these sorts of family memories.
It was Sunday afternoon, February 4th. The older girls had already left to sing their 5pm mass. Paul had just stepped out for a quick errand, while I was at home with the younger kids. They were all playing fairly quietly in their rooms, though they were beginning to show signs of the usual early-evening uprising. Suddenly there was a loud thump, followed by high-pitched wailing from the boy’s room. I called out to find out from anyone who was closer what had happened as I was making my way there, and someone shouted “Jordan fell down and he can’t get up!”
I got to the bedroom door, and there sat Jordan, with knees bent to the side, huddled against the end of the bunk, clearly in agonizing pain. I just had seconds to assess the situation when Paul walked in the door and I gratefully placed the problem in his capable hands.
He spoke gently and calmly with Jordan, to ascertain if there was any way he could move himself. It was very clear that he could not, nor did Paul want to risk shifting him in any way, so we called 911. Having been through the whole ambulance thing before, I knew my role: corral the kids in a separate room to keep them out of the way, and keep them calm, while Paul stayed with Jordan and tried to keep him calm. There were probably 4-5 emergency personnel that showed up, and they were great – very skilled, professional and reassuring. I’m so grateful for EMTs and the grace they bring in traumatic moments!
Jordan was taken first to a nearby ER, where they determined he had a very complex break in his hip bone, and immediately sent him to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. There they discovered that there was a cyst on the bone which had likely weakened it and caused the break when he fell. He was scheduled for surgery first thing Monday morning. Paul of course had been with Jordan since they left the house in the ambulance, and he stayed all the way through the next day. Megan (who is very special to Jordan and will be his godmother soon) brought over some bedding for her dad, and his laptop, charger, etc. and spent a little time with them before Jordan had to go to sleep.
7:30 bright and early Jordan went in to surgery. The surgeon removed the cyst and sent it for biopsy. He had suspected it was benign but of course needed to be sure. He then had to use 3 pins to put Jordan’s bone back together.
Meanwhile, back at the house, a long-planned surprise was unfolding. Behind my back, my husband and dear friend from Texas, Linda Burklin, had plotted a visit while she was in the Phoenix area. They had planned that she would show up early Monday morning and give me the shock of my life. It would have been fabulous, and possibly fatal to my heart, but because of everything that happened on Sunday evening with Jordan, Paul decided to scrap the surprise and give me a heads up. I was nonetheless flabbergasted and delighted! Though Linda and I have never met, our kids have grown up “together” across the miles via blogs and facebook. What an absolute treat it was – despite the timing! So, while Jordan was in surgery at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, I was meeting my friend for the first time. We sat in my living room and chatted while I was climbed on by my littles. Then I took her to my new favorite restaurant, Ahipoki Bowl. I was so happy she was as much a fan of sushi as I! After a delicious lunch and conversation, we headed back home for a little while before I had to pick up kids from school, and she had to head back across the valley to where she was staying. I’m always tempted to feel like I missed the mark as a hostess by not having a grand plan for sightseeing when someone visits Phoenix for the first time – but the truth is, there was a little bit going on right then! And God bless Linda for being the kind of person who can appreciate just hanging out and talking and doesn’t need an itinerary. It was a short, sweet visit in the middle of a crazy day, but I was so thankful!
In the middle of our lunch, Paul had called to say that Jordan was through surgery, and it was looking like he would be coming home that evening. Answered prayers! I picked up Paul and a woozy Jordan in front of the hospital at around 6pm. The next week Jordan spent at home while he was still on the strong pain medications, but was already antsy by the weekend and ready to head to school Monday morning. He’s not a stay-at-home kind of guy. He’s my little social butterfly – gotta get with his squad!
After he went back to school, it was back to just me and my littles again. They are irresistibly cute together, whether playing or napping!
I nabbed a pic of mother and Jeff on Valentine’s Day. I would have loved to attend Ash Wednesday services, but I have had a prolonged season of illness that started around Christmas time and has not let up since.
The Saturday after Jordan’s injury – not even a full week since surgery – we ventured out to one of the niftiest events ever. Megan works part time at Cross Roads Preschool with the Reeves family, who founded Camp Patrick, a summer camp for their son, and other children with spina bifida. We were given free passes to a Touch a Truck fundraiser for Camp Patrick, and we knew that we had to try to go, even if Jordan could only stay for a little while. It was so much fun for the kids! Geneva volunteered to do face painting, so we saw her there as soon as we came through the gates, and the kids got their faces done. There were fire trucks and buses, cranes and tractors, ADOT and sheriff’s vehicles, and even a Phoenix Police Special Assignments Unit. Even the Coyotes and Diamondbacks had some fun activities – but the one that took the cake was the gang from Ghost Busters! I’m so happy they had such a great level of support from the community!
We also celebrated Grandma Pat’s February birthday with the family. We had a middle-eastern theme this year and it was, as always, delicious! There was great merriment in trying to get everyone looking the same direction for a few group shots as well. As always, it was simply wonderful to spend time with family.
