"Things I never want my kids to experience!" BROKEN BACK
As I mentioned in previous posts, Dowlin began weight training and practicing as soon as we got here with the HS football team. All was going well! He was playing with the Varsity players in the passing clinics all summer.
August 2 - 1st week of full pads, he came home in a lot of pain. He had gone up to catch a pass and was hit in the air, hurting his back. The coach and trainer took him out for 2 weeks. He iced and heated, and waited. 1st day back - hit again. Out for another week - obviously not ready yet... He practiced 1 week, played 1/2 the 1st game - hit again - Mom said "No more!" We went to his Dr. the next day, he couldn't move! The pain was so bad. He gave him some muscle relaxers, and I made an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon at the CORE Institute, they work with Willow Canyon HS.
It was Labor Day, and Dean's Bday, so we headed North to Sedona, and Flagstaff, then East to Snowflake for the weekend. Dowlin was "ok" but pretty dopey. (Kinda funny, we met a "Healer" at the hotel pool... Lol - It's a different story, ask Dow if you want a good laugh. I'm just going to quote a little tidbit for your amusement - healer, "repeat after me...(balh blah blah)" -healer, "Ok, we're done." Dowlin, "Ok, we're done," HA HA! Hilarious!
When we finally got into see Dr Greene, it was clear that he would be out for the season. Xrays were hard to see the spine, but he ordered a Radioactive Full Body Scan which took about an hour. (it was pretty cool - if you've never seen a 360 degree Xray) It confirmed that he had fractures in his spine. (L4 I believe) "Out for the Season" are tough words to hear for a guy who loves football!
Options - Permanent damage, or paralysis - you decide.
After weighing the REAL options, we decided to wait out the months of recovery - not do surgery.
UPDATE - Dowlin was in a hard, removable only for shower, cast for 6 weeks. And we defied the "No Spohomore drivers" rule with a note from the Dr stating he should not be made to walk extreeme distances or carry heavy back pack on his back. (lol - I win!)
This has been a very disappointing thing for Dowlin, as you can imagine. He will be unable to play Basketball this year as well. We are hoping that by February or March, he will be well enough to tryout for Baseball.
UPDATE - Dowlin has healed remarkably well! He did miss Basketball, but made the JV Baseball team and so far no problems other than an ache here or there! He's even ramming into guys and sliding head first into home plate - We're wondering if it was his back or maybe a head injury he got in football, LOL.
Fun Fact - The Texas Rangers and KANSAS CITY ROYALS have their Spring Training here in Surprise! This is at the Royals/Rangers Stadium. The kids get to use it in the off season - cool huh!
