Homecoming...The prep work

(drum roll please)..............

It's currently 12:45 pm, Sat. September 30th. It's the day of the BIG homecoming dance. Every girl in town is trying to out-do the other as they prep for the big fashion show tonight at 8:00 pm. After all, isn't that what it's all about. Who really looks the best all cleaned up? It's kind of like a high school version of the best/worst dressed of the rich and famous without the red carpet.

The girls have a 1:00 pm appointment for their hair and nails. Cristina broke a nail yesterday so that needs to be fixed. While she's there, she's also getting them filled again before she goes home to Germany.
Alyssa is getting her hair done while Cristina gets her nails done. Then they will swap places. Alyssa is only getting hers repainted due to some polish chipping during work at Arby's. Both girls have the French tip style finish.

The picture below is the before the hair, nails, etc.....This picture was requested by the hair salon so they now how to do their hair the best to fit the dress. Smart idea if you ask me.

Neither dress has shoulder straps. Cristina's dress is 100% rayon. Alyssa's dress is nylon, spandex and polyester. It is plum colored with a plum sparkle netting over the whole dress. You can't see it in this picture, but her dress is floor length.

...here we go again...updated

Well, after waiting most of the day, the phone finally rang around 8:20 pm. It was the neurologist. He had been in surgery most of the day and wasn't able to call any earlier.
He did get the x-rays and check them out. His diagnosis just from what he could see, was that Jonathon has what they call a Clay Shoveler's Fracture. A fractured vertibrea in the neck.
So, no more football this year. He could play if he felt up to it, but the doc was afraid he might lie about just how bad he felt and play anyway. SO, no football.
The good news, they probably won't have to do a thing to him. The old saying "Time heals all wounds" will be in effect here. We have an appt. to see the neuro doc on Monday to find out for sure what needs to be done.
So, until then...here's some medical information I copied from a website for you all to read.
Updates will follow after the next appt.
*****************************************************************
Treatment:
Clay shoveler’s fractures tend to be stable as long as only the spinous process is involved. However, if the fracture extends into the spinolaminar region, pedicle or pillar, one must rule out spinal instability, nerve root and spinal cord involvement. The literature is unclear as to whether the avulsed spinous fragment should be excised. However, treatment should begin with a conservative approach. This typically may involve the use of a soft cervical collar, especially in the acute stage. The collar may be worn intermittently to prevent muscle atrophy over a period of 4–6 weeks. Modalities such as ultrasound or microcurrent may be applied to damaged soft tissues. If severe pain persists even after conservative management, then surgical excision of the avulsed fragment may be warranted.

Prognosis:
Non-union of the avulsed fragment is common due to themuscular pull in this region. However, with minimal displacementof the avulsed fragment, reattachment may occur. Typical clay shoveler’s fractures tend to heal without residual sequelae in terms of neck function or pain.

For more technical info on this, go to:
www.jcca-online.org/client/cca/
JCCA.nsf/objects/An+atypical+clay+shoveler

here we go again...

I'll use blue...for ALL, 100%, without a doubt......B-O-Y!!!

My poor baby has suffered yet another fracture, but at least this one happened while he was having fun. I guess if your gonna get hurt that's the best way...

Football...Helmet to helmet contact...ouch! They don't mix well.
In a pro game like the NFL, this could result in an extremely serious injury. Is it any different for 12/13 year olds? I honestly don't think so...So, on that note, I think Jonathon got lucky this time.

Yes, this is his neck. A digital picture of an X-ray taken today. Hopefully you can follow this and see what the issue here is. Directly above my typing in the picture there is a good sized white spot/blotch/blob... Above that is an intact vertibrea. The very next one above that is the problem area. On the left side just above the intact one, you can see a small piece just kinda out there in it's own little world? sorta? Squint, its there...lol...well, that's the broken piece that should be attached to the larger one just slightly higher and to the right a little.

So, for now, no football or phys. ed until further notice...and we play hurry up and wait to see what the neurologist has to say. No neck brace, no meds, no nothing. Just hurry and wait. He's supposed to call tonite after he looks at the x-rays. He was in surgery when he got the phone call and was expected to be there a while. Lord only knows when/if we'll hear from him.

Until then...keep squinting at it...you'll find it.

5 Years Later...

NEVER EVER FORGET!!!

September 11, 2001