Greg breaks his arms--yes both of them

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a man.  He was a very good man.  This man's name was Greg.  Now Greg was a grown man, but he often found himself hanging out with a bunch of teenage boys.  He attempted to help them and guide them and help them find their way in life.  He also liked to goof off  with them.  One summer, this summer actually, he went on a camping trip with these boys.  It was a survival camp, helping the boys learn survival skills.  


One night all of the leaders, including Greg, (and many of the boys' fathers) decided to play a game of Capture the Flag.  It was dusk and the terrain was uneven.  There were trees to hide behind and a field to run in.  Greg secreted himself behind a tree, patiently waiting for one of the boys to pass by his hiding spot.  The moment finally came and he leapt out to grab the boy who was swiftly running past.  Instead of obtaining his objective of capturing the boy, he found himself on the ground in agony.  In his efforts to tackle the boy he fell and slammed his head and his arms to the ground under the weight of his body.  


The boy  noticed Greg in a heap on the ground in obvious pain and called for help.  The doctor in the group came running.  It was obvious Greg had a broken right arm and maybe a dislocated pinkie on the left side.  He had a big bump on his head and was quite confused, unsure even what his phone number was.  Someone found the number for Greg's wife and called the unsuspecting woman at home.  "Your husband has had a pretty good fall.  We are bringing him to the hospital," the voice said to her on the phone.  She quickly got herself together and met Greg at the hospital.


Still dazed and confused (and in a lot of pain) Greg was glad to have his wife there to help answer questions. X-rays were taken, a CAT scan was done.  Thankfully no damage to the head was found.  The confusion and dizziness would wear off.  Right arm--radius and ulna both broken clean through right near the wrist. Left hand--several broken bones.  Pride--severally injured, may never heal.  They filled Greg with pain meds and set his arm the best they could.  "Come back tomorrow and we will do surgery they said."


After a short, restless night, Greg's wife drove him to the surgery center.  They peeked at his chart to see what was going to happen.  It said:
-Right distal radius fracture open reduction internal fixation, possible ulnar styloid open reduction internal fixation
-Left small finger proximal phalanx fracture closed reduction percutaneous pinning
-Left long finger metacarpal fracture closed reduction percutaneous pinning


Fortunately, the doctor explained it better than the chart.  "We are going to put a plate in your right wrist to hold the bone together.  It will be a permanent plate.  Once we get in there we will see if we want to fix the other arm bone, too.  In your left hand several bones are broken.  We are going to pin two of your fingers.  Now we won't have to open your hand up, but the pins will be sticking out of your hand.  It is going to be pretty tough for you do some things for a while."


Greg's wife patiently waited while they put him to sleep and fixed him up.  Greg's children patiently waited at home.  He went home to heal.  


After several weeks of needing lots of help (help with eating, bathing, shaving, driving, etc.)  Greg is doing much better.  He is happy to have the pins out of his hands and appreciates the help he is getting from a hand therapist.  Together they are trying to fully restore the movement in his right arm and left hand.  


Greg has learned to be more careful when he is enjoying games with teenage boys.  Greg has learned that he has a family who loves him and would do anything for him.  Greg has learned to be patient with himself when things don't come easy.  Greg has learned how many blessings he has been given in his life.  Greg is a happy man.

THE END

Here is Greg in the Emergency Room

Here is Greg's arm right after the accident.  The picture doesn't do it justice.

Greg's bump on the head

Greg in the Chinese finger trap.

On the way to surgery after a tough night

One perk--cupcakes from some of the great Young Women in our ward

Seeing the pins for the first time.  The pins drove him batty!

A scar to rival Lizzy's

Convalescing at home