The Scare of the Century

We got the scare of a lifetime last Thursday during football practice!  When Christian came up for his turn in one of the tackling drills, the boy he was trying to tackle got low and in an effort to get lower than him to make the tackle, Christian ducked his head and went in for a helmet to helmet hit which caused his back to buckle and snap.  I must say that luckily I did not actually see it happen, which I think helped me to remain as calm as I did.  Out of nowhere I heard "Heather load all your stuff in the truck".  I don't even know where he was at the time he said it but after hearing that a second time and if finally registering, I quickly realized that practice had stopped and all the coaches were kneeling down next to a player on the ground in orange pants, the same color I had sent Christian to practice in. In a matter of a second my sweet friends had swooped everything up to take to the truck, and were ready to take care of Carson the rest of the night.   As I ran onto the field I found his head coach on the phone with 911, Chad with a serious look of concern right beside our son and several of the other coaches consoling me letting me know everything was going to be o.k.  WHAT IS HAPPENING?

At this point, I am trying to figure out what happened, trying to remain calm for Christian and trying not to cry in front of everyone. I was quite impressed with my ability to stay calm but the tears did flow when I heard the sirens getting closer and saw a pack of paramedics rush the field with a gurney.  I prayed constantly and knew in my heart that everything was going to be fine but there was no controlling the emotions anymore.  The medics did a quick evaluation, stabilized his neck, lifted him on the gurney and away we went.  As we made our way to the ambulance and walked past the 4th grade team that shares the field with us I couldn't help but notice they too had all taken a knee and began to clap as Christian was wheeled by. This sign of respect was so touching especially as we heard kids and coaches telling Bones to get well soon because they needed him on the field.  He gave them two thumbs up and away we went with Chad following behind in the truck. Unfortunately it took two attempts to get his iv in and he cried crocodile tears which broke my heart.  Once it finally was in and they gave him some pain meds he made them all promise no more shots for the rest of the night.  It was the saddest thing in the world to witness.

I can not say enough though about the Celina FD and the wonderful paramedics that came to his aid.  Most all of them were raised in Celina and talked to Christian and I about their days playing football for the Bobcats.  It really helped ease both of our nerves.  When we made it to the hospital we walked in the emergency room to find Yai Yai and Aunt Tawnie there waiting for us.  He was wheeled into an ocean themed room (right up his alley right now) with a variety of fish and whales painted on the wall.  Poor thing, he was a nervous wreck.  Luckily, Shea Shea came in shortly after we got there too and brought her favorite pillow for comfort. 

Praise the Lord, after two rounds of x-rays, the doctors finally came back with the news that Christian had a neck and back strain, was bruised and sore but he would be just fine in no time!  THANK YOU LORD for protecting my son and wrapping your arms around him!  After we did get the good news I took this one picture for posterity before the nurse came in to prepare him for discharge.

As we sat in the hospital and reflected on what had transpired, I could not help but be taken aback by the countless texts and calls we had received from friends.  News traveled fast and we received word from cheer moms, through Facebook, from parents and coaches on other teams and the many parents and friends on Christian's team that were truly concerned and there to support us.  Just another reminder of why we love raising our kids in this incredible community.  We have been blessed with THE best extended family of friends that anyone could ask for!  I am so thankful for each and every one of them!

As we walked out the door of the hospital Christian immediately asked to call Coach Frank and tell him he was o.k. We were starving by now and Christian asked to go to In and Out Burger.  Chad went in and ordered while Shea, Christian and I sat outside.  It was a beautiful night so we sat out there for a while, eating, and finally returning a few call to let everyone know he was o.k.

A few nights later Christian received a goody bag that several of his friends from the team had contributed too with handwritten notes by the boys.  A bag full of his favorites....rock candy, gummy bears, m&ms and more.  Look at that smile!