At a recent mini family reunion, my family went out back into my parent’s backyard for a game of kickball. It started out pretty mellow, but my family tends to get pretty competitive when it comes to… ummm… everything. Including children’s games. Tim fits right in.
During one particular play, Tim was running to second base. My nine-year-old niece Bryn had the ball and was trying to tag him out. Tim planted a foot in an effort to change directions and avoid the out. His foot stopped, but the rest of his leg kept going. Everybody present heard a loud “pop,” and all sources report that Tim very calmly fell to the ground, grabbed his ankle, and with barely a grimace, stated, “Yep, it’s broken.”
Zack and Peter rushed him to the ER, where he continued to be a stalwart patient and apparently had correctly diagnosed the damage before the doctor even saw him.
“Broken” turned out to be an understatement. He has a classic maisoneuve fracture, which means that he has a distal tibula fracture (of the media maleolus) a spiral proximal fibula fracture, a syndesmosis (interosseous membrane) rupture, and a deltoid ligament rupture. Basically, his leg is a hot mess.
A few days later, he underwent surgery:
They placed three screws and a “tight rope” in his ankle.
Two weeks post surgery:
I have to say Tim has been really, extremely easy to deal with given the extent of his injury. He has barely complained at all, and has continued to help with the girls and the house work as much as possible. He has also humored me and my distaste for staying cooped up inside the house for too long. In the last two weeks, we’ve been jet skiing (he mostly didn’t go jet skiing and played with the kids on the sand), camping, and out for several scenic drives even though car rides are pretty painful for him with all the jolting and such (I’m not the smoothest driver, turns out.)
He’ll be using crutches and a neato knee scooter for a few more months. We’re grateful that it’s not worse, and VERY grateful to all the family who have helped out over the last couple weeks with kids and unpacking – especially Cami and my parents.
6 comments:
Oh. My. Goodness... I had to whip my head around to hide my eyes a few times when that last picture of Tim's foot came to view. How can he even walk on it at all?! Here's to healing up fast!
Tim is seriously a trooper. If I get injured any time in the future I will try and be exactly like Tim. (Okay, probably not...but I would wish to be like Tim).
I appreciated your simple summary of his complicated fracture. Sorry you got hurt Tim!
Holy cow that's a bad break! Isn't it sad when we think our bodies are capable of being a kid again... Why getting older has to be so painful, I'll never know! Hope for a speedy recovery!
It was a noble injury, and shall go down in the Halls of Dickey Lore as a cherished and sacred memory.
Seriously? That is intense! Poor Tim :(
Post a Comment