Spring is nearly here. Today it is going to be 63 degrees or so. We all are ready, kids included. In our world, baseball tryouts and the start of track practices are clear signs that winter is nearing an end (now we can all debate whether beginning to play baseball in mid-February in IL is a sign that winter is over, but that is the way it works these days...your summer sport begins before your spring). So on the second Saturday of February, our son, Sir Swingsalot, headed off to the batting cage to get ready for tryouts on 2/27 & 2/28 (track began on 3/1). It was on this day Feb. 13th, that Mighty Casey entered the cage, swungalot, and injured his back. Not just a little injury, like I immediately diagnosed, but a substantial one. For a couple of weeks I encouraged Josh to work through it, all the while convincing a concerned and experienced mom that it was a muscle strain/pull. Ever obedient and non-complaining Josh pressed on, doing what he could, getting through the two weeks prior to tryouts successfully, but still with pain. The first day of tryouts was the day that his dad realized that he wasn't getting better, he may actually be worse. Gulp.
I relented and off to the doctor he went. It took his doctor little time to tell us he needed an MRI. That MRI happened one week ago on Wednesday. Josh entered this experience with a certain amount of excitement and interest. He has spent nearly half of his life watching his parents deal with medical stuff, so to him it is fairly normal. When this all began, we didn't have to wonder where to go for the MRI. Pam is an expert in these routines. The MRI is done in the same area of the hospital that Pam received her MRI's, many of her scans, and all of her radiation treatments. Because Josh defends his 2009-10 school perfect attendance status fiercely, we had to schedule the MRI late in the day. Of course there was a delay, giving us time to roam the 
hospital. Ah the memories...the heart floor, the oncology floor, ambulatory/surgical unit, the cafeteria, radiation, the gift shop, the waiting rooms...Methodist Hospital, our second home. Josh experienced for himself how cold the hospital can be, especially when you are dressed in a thin hospital gown. Pam told Josh not to worry. She disappeared for a few moments, going places that Joe Average might think civilians are not allowed, and reappeared with some freshly toasted blankets. Handy experience.The MRI showed that I definitely didn't diagnose Josh correctly (go figure). Josh sees a pediatric orthopedic surgeon (he was referred to a neurosurgeon...but that seemed too scary and serious, so we opted for the orthopedic surgeon) and we hope he gives us lots of positives. We would love to hear the words "physical therapy" as opposed to "surgery." Sadly my extensive medical training was not in surgeries/procedures dealing with the spine dang it.
For now Josh is allowed to participate in PE and sports so long as he stops short of pain. Last week he was riding a bike with the track team on our long runs (serving as assistant to the assistant coach, me). This week he is back to running most of the workouts, mindful not to twist or over exert. He plays catch and does some fielding practice, but no swinging.
This post isn't about Pam and her continuing struggles, but it is, sort of. Her experience has in a way prepared Josh. Things that might be new and scary for the average 13 year old are very familiar to him. He finally sees behind the waiting room walls to the places Pam goes. Some curiosity is being satisfied. He is being shaped by all that Pam has gone through. He has stood by his mom and now he is prepared to deal with this personal adversity having watched her go through hers.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3
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