Go Big or Go Home!

As one wise 9 year old wrote, "Go big or go home." We did just that. Trent went big off a jump while we were skiing in Michigan and went home with a broken leg! 4.5 hours home - in an ambulance! In case you were wondering, it costs $650 just to get in an ambulance!
We planned a great ski trip with a couple families from school. The kids had off school Thursday and Friday, so we took them out of school at lunch on Wednesday afternoon and drove up North to my friend's Mom's cabin. The forecast called for a balmy 14 degrees. When we woke up, it was -10 degrees! Seven kids in one basement is not conducive to sleeping in, but we took our time getting ready and enjoyed skier's breakfast. By the time we got to the ski hill it had turned into a great day. Cold, but very sunny and no wind. My first time at this ski hill, Ski Brule. Couldn't beat the price. Kids ski free. We had a great morning. It was nearing time for the lifts to close. The kids decided to hit the terrain park. Trent being the boy with no fear, and no experience with big jumps, followed the other boys off a jump. Little did he or I know, there was a 5 foot sheer drop off the backside of it. I saw him fly, then disappear. I raced down to hear him screaming. Calmed him down and prepared for the worst. All I could think was, poor kid. He's gonna miss his first hockey tournament.
The ski patrol was great and splinted his leg. Our friend drove us to the local hospital. They took x-rays and confirmed his tibia and fibula were broken. The ER doc said he'd need surgery, which they couldn't do there. My friend and her husband "know" "people". Thank God for "people"! We got through to some connections and decided it would be best to get back home to Children's hospital. When we were almost to Milwaukee, Trent said to the E.M.T., "Doctor, what's your name again?" "Tom", he told him. "Thanks for taking care of me Tom." Then he yelled up to the driver, "Nice driving Ted!" I was keeping it together pretty good until that point. Almost lost it, happy tears though.
11pm, Marshall met us there. They ended up setting his leg with out the surgery! Yeah! He's got a big blue cast up his entire leg. It was good to go home that night, even through we didn't get back til 4am!
6 weeks in the cast. We'll manage. We did his birthday party today at the movies, very wheelchair accessable. He's supposed to be spending the week overnight at school for a special outdoor camp. I talked to the director and we'll see how it goes.
All and all the whole thing turned out as good as these things can. He is getting used to life with a cast and is not in any pain. Friends and family have been in and out for visits or phone calls. So cute, Callie brought him a band-aid to put on his cast. His skiing buddy's have been so sweet making cards and bringing souvenirs from the trip. Trent doesn't even get what the fuss is all about. He's a trooper. Glad he got my high pain tolerance. All the hospital people commented how strong and brave he was. Once again, I'm proud of him.
Never in a million years did I ever think any of my kids would ever have a broken bone. We eat our vegetable, take our vitamins, drink our milk! My Dad and sister were razzin' me about it! It happens!