Richard's Broken Leg

Life has been different for the last 2 1/2 weeks.

Richard has a broken femur, and is in a spica cast. It makes life a little more challenging.

The Story:

We took all the kids to an Albuquerque High football game to watch Ian march in the band. We had a great time, and were there from just before half time until the game ended. (Ian did great by the way, and you can watch his band perform at http://ahsmightybulldogband.org ) We were leaving the game and walking through the parking lot. Marlin had Richard on his shoulders. Don wouldn't hold on to my hand. He would just pull and pull when I tried. He would hang on to Marlin's hand though. So instead of breaking Don's wrist, I let Marlin deal with both boys. We did great until about 15 yards from the van, and no more traffic between us and the van. Don began to hop or do something (I didn't see it because I was distracted with Andrew opening the van door. We had forgotten to lock it.) The next thing I know, Marlin calls out for help. I turn around and see Marlin leaning over, and Richard laying between his elbow and back barely hanging on. I go over and grab Richard. Marlin said he heard a pop in Richard's leg.

We were hoping it wasn't his knee. He wasn't crying at this point. We put him in the van, and drive home. That drive was miserable. Every bump caused Richard to cry harder. We finally got home. We carefully got him out of his seat and brought him in. We laid him on the floor to change his diaper. We were very careful in removing his pants. Marlin did the first aid stuff, and checked his ankle, and then knee. In the process of checking his knee, he saw movement in the femur. He then knew the femur was broken. He stabilized the leg, and I called 911. The paramedics, ambulance, fire truck, and police came. It was quite the mad house when Ian got home. Thank heavens he had a ride.

I ended up riding in the ambulance with Richard (my first and hopefully last ambulance ride). At the hospital, x-rays confirmed the break. That began our hospital experience. I was there for 2 nights with Richard. Thank heavens for friends and family which stepped in to help us take care of all our kids.

It has now been 2 1/2 weeks. Richard will have the cast for 6 weeks total. He has figured out how to roll around, and is pretty happy most of the time. Nights are the hardest. I don't think he gets completely comfortable. Which makes it hard for both of us. It is amazing how fast little kids adapt to their experiences. He should have no lasting effects from this. The Doctor says occasionally broken bones like this tend to overgrow. So his left leg may end up a little longer than the right. We will have to keep an eye out for that when he is about ten I guess.

All hooked up in the hospital. He didn't like it much, and I was still a little afraid to hold him. Not to mention, it wasn't very comfortable to hold him.

Ricahrd was pretty miserable in the hospital. I don't know whether it was residual pain, or just the medications that made him feel yucky.
Richard was getting the iv removed here. He was so cute covering his face while he cried.

Richard in his special borrowed car seat. He is pretty happy for the most part. It is a good thing that Don has a bunch of shorts. In order for Richard to have pants on, he has to wear size 4.