Broken Dreams

Caden has had a wonderful 2 weekends of flag football. He loved playing football. He didn't really enjoy practices that much, though. His complaint... too much running. :) Caden played every minute of most of the games. If he was on the side line, it was just long enough to get a drink and then he was back in the game. He played center on offense and nose guard on defense. He had two jobs... on offense, to hike the ball; on defense, to watch where the ball was going and go get a flag. He did both jobs well. I was so proud to watch him play.

This past Thursday, Caden's first grade flag football season ended with a fractured clavicle. During practice Caden and his team were doing some running drills and Caden decided to scoop up the football as he ran past it. He ended up tripping and landed directly on his left shoulder.

Mike brought him home and after looking at Caden's left shoulder I could see there was something wrong. I took him to our local urgent care center (the one that I previously worked at). Since I had a connection there, the x-ray tech let us go back and view the films as they processed. Once Caden's x-ray came into view I literally had to grab the wall behind me to keep me on my two feet! Caden was fitted into a splint and we went home.

Caden had an appointment with an orthopedic specialist Friday morning. Michael took Caden to the appointment and he was told that these types of fractures heal very well, especially in young, healthy children. Caden was fitted in a clavicle brace that he will wear for the next 4-6 weeks. He has a follow-up appointment at the end of the month.

Caden has done ok the past 2 days. We had a rough morning this morning, but he has done well this afternoon and evening. Since I wasn't able to go to the ortho appointment yesterday, I needed some convincing that Caden was going to be ok, so this afternoon I went and saw an orthopedic PA at my old office. He has treated Cody in the past and I really trust his knowledge and judgement. He reassured me that Caden will do fine and that I will be amazed at how the body heals these types of fractures.

So, hopefully that will be the case with Caden. Please remember him (and us) in your prayers as his body heals. It's been nice to have him at home this weekend where I can shelter him from any harm, but as he goes back to school Monday, I know I will be a nervous wreck! Please say a prayer that he will be safe at school and that adjusting to no PE and recess will be as easy as possible. He's done well accepting that he is done with football and the possibility that he will not be able to play basketball. If you know Caden, you know he loves sports, so this has been a little hard for him! (And it's been just as hard on his mom and dad!)

Here are a few pictures of Caden's short-lived flag football season and the season-ending break!

~jen