Board Delusions

It is a good thing I am a middle aged women, confident in myself, adult like and mature.  Otherwise I would have a huge crush on Shaun White (he is the American snowboarder who won another gold medal last night).  I spent last night with him, well he was winning a medal and I was in my pjs on the coach watching.

I think he really makes this look easy and so much fun.  Not to mention, are the snowboarders the "cool" guys?  They are wearing trendy outfits, listening to ipods and joking around with each other.  And the giant screen on the top of the slope showing their profiles is a nice touch.  It's as if its just another party on the hill.

I am really starting to think I can do this.  Seriously, I am a fairly bright woman, in ok shape. This is what I am thinking... I send him and his team my recent snowboarding shots.  Aren't they amazing?  If I could get my ass up to stand I would probably be better, but hell I will work on it.

Next, I visit a half pipe with him.  I drop in with my Double McTwist 1260 and nail the landing.  Oh yeah I know the lingo.

Then I wake up and realize I am not a teenager, I have aches and pains and let's face it I suck at snow boarding.

Ah the boy is a real cutie and I am enjoying watching him.  He is so laid back and just plain "cool". Now I can see why my son is so enthralled  by all this.

Again, its a good thing I am a mature woman who doesn't think in terms of fantasy anymore :-).

Too Many Hospital Events

I am slightly afraid to leave the house or answer the phone today.  Just a little paranoia I know I will push through, but we have had too many hospital references this month.

As you know, our first experience was Max's unfortunate snowboarding incident.  Again, I am thankful that a broken wrist is all that he suffered.  The following week one of my closest friends slipped on the ice and fell on her head.  A concussion had her feeling dizzy with a headache for about a week.  I am thankful that is all she suffered.

This weekend added more to the list.  First,  my favorite man (next to my husband and son) had a terrible episode.  Couldn't focus, was dizzy and nauseous, experiencing wicked headache.  After a call asking his wife to come home, they sat in the hospital from 10:30 am to almost 6 pm.  The waiting is probably one of the worst parts, while your mind passing from stroke to migraine.   After a clean MRI and visit to the neurologist, he is diagnosed with high blood pressure and a propensity toward migraines.  Again,  I am thankful that is all it is.

Yesterday, I refused to leave the house.  Just cook and clean and spend time with my boys.  That afternoon I received a text from one of our closest friends.  Their son (who happens to be one of our son's closest friends) share the same hobbies.  The snowboard landed him in the ER that afternoon.  They sat and waited. He will be fine after a few days in the hospital but off sports for a few months.  I am thankful that he will be ok.

I feel for her kids, his wife and his parents.  The physical pain is temporary but the emotional fear of phone calls and waiting results doesn't easily disappear.  It is obvious that so many people experience much worse and that I should just consider this life as usual.  But I am feeling morose and just simply sad for my family and friends ad even for myself right now.

Will get over it and be in a better mood tomorrow.  Today, just going to hope for the best.

Part II: View from First Aid

"You need to take him to the Orthopedic Clinic right away!"  Those were the first words I heard from Holiday Valley's First Aid when we entered the clinic. Max was cradling his arm.  I shouldn't have been  too surprised.  When he and his friends walked into the Lodge to tell me he had fallen, his wrist was as big and bumpy as my knee.  It was the urgency that scared me.

My son was amazing.  Not a tear.  We took him to Ellicotville Orthopedics (which is conveniently located 3 minutes from the main lodge at Holiday Valley).  His friends waited anxiously in the lobby to hear if he would be able to snowboard at club this Friday.  Max knew it was bad but he kept hoping.  You see a broken wrist means no snowboarding, no lacrosse, no snowboarding, no squash, no snowboarding, no guitar and no snowboarding.  Did I mention no more snowboarding?  He has been looking forward to club since last March.

After being examined, the doctor (who was terrific) offered us two choices:  manipulate the off-centered bone to try to push it into place or schedule surgery.  The first could be done right way, but may not work and would be "uncomfortable" for Max.  The doctor's look at me when he said "uncomfortable" let me know my baby was going to experience some real pain.  Surgery would mean going back to Buffalo, waiting over the weekend and operating on Monday.  Max immediately told the doctor to try to push it into place now.

Just the highlights:  one fairly large doctor pushing on my son's swollen wrist as the other fairly large x-ray technician added "traction" too the arm by pulling it apart.  Max never cried.  After three tries, four x-rays and the discussion on surgery/pins/anesthesia the bones were aligned.  We left with pain killers and a very sad teenage boy.

In the car, Max was telling his friends how the first aid person at Holiday told him he could still board with a cast.  Thank you ma'am.  My pure gratitude for her efforts immediately turned.  I know she was trying to make him feel better, but the boy will NOT be boarding with a cast.  Mom once again needs to be the bad guy.  His friends assured me he would be fine to board on Friday.  Thank you Dr. Teenage Boy and Dr. Broken Bone Expert.  I was actually really happy his friends were there.  Boys have a way of making each other feel better by laughing it off.  Thank you my young "experts".

During the experience I could think of nothing but my baby.  How disappointed he was, how much pain he was in.  He, however, was trying to be the "man",  pulling away from my help and telling me I did not need to be in the room with him.  Yes,  I am proud of his independence and courage.  He is growing up but my feelings are the same as they were when he was a little boy.  I still want to hold him and make him feel better.  Physically painful for him, emotionally excruciating for me.  Last night, he let me get a little closer.  This is going to be a long 6 weeks.

The good news is that he is ok and he should not have any permanent damage.  Welcome 2010!

View From the Lodge

I love WiFi.  Here I sit at the Holiday Valley lodge enjoying a cup of Starbucks, a terrific view and the knowledge that my son thinks I'm fantastic because I drove him and his buddies to snowboard today.  It is freezing outside so you know these guys must love snowboarding to deal with the bone chilling temperatures.  Much nicer sitting in the warmth and blogging.

I actually really like skiing and tried snowboarding last year.  It's difficult, especially for the person who has to lift me when I fall (thanks Scott).  See photo.  Not pretty.  Besides the fact that simply getting up on the board demands incredible abdominal muscles, falling is painful.  You fall either directly on your face or backwards on your tailbone.  I was sore for three days and only made it down the hill once!  But I plan on doing it again this year - although not today.

So what's the allure? It cannot possibly be the weather. My body shook walking from the car.  I  know its not how great it looks because I have never been so heckled.  "Nice job lady!  Get up Honey!"  Mortifying.  I think the feeling of freedom is enticing.  It's just you controlling the board (or not controlling in my case).  You do it right, you slide. You do it wrong, you fall ... and fall ... and fall again. I am guessing that the jumps give you a feeling of flying.

Trying something so physically challenging is also a major rush.  The ability to master this board, maneuvering around obstacles and swaying with the movement must be an amazing feeling.  Just thinking about it makes me want to brave the cold ...almost.  Plus I think if I could really get this, my son would elevate me on the coolness scale.  Could use that, might be worth it.

Maybe its just that I  love the outfits, which if you remember is the reason I enjoyed tennis so much.

I guess the boys have similar reasons for loving this sport, but may also thrive on the competition among their friends, the comaraderie and the risk. I'll ask them when they return. I know whenever my son comes back from boarding he is lighter - full of laughter with rosy cheeks and a sparkling eyes.  Don't think I had that sparkle, although the snow burn from using my face as a stopper, could account for rosy cheeks.

For  now, I will just enjoy the view.