Sam Breaks His Arm Yet Again

Just when we thought things were going quite smoothly and cruising toward the end of the week, something unexpected came along.  Unexpected but not unprecedented for it is almost 6 months ago to the day that the same thing happened.

Whilst playing on the school's play equipment, climbing up some rope, another student raced past and Sam lost his footing. As he fell, he tried to avoid the boy that was running past below so as not to fall on top of him.  He did this quite successfully and put out his arm to break the fall. The same right arm!  Perhaps if he'd fallen on top of the boy below it may have made for a softer landing...

Anyway, to cut a long gory story short (his arm was mangled by the way), we took him straight to hospital where they put him in a wheelchair and had him x-rayed immediately. He was white as a ghost in the face, shaking a little in the legs and working very hard at staying 'in the moment' despite the intense pain he was in.  When I asked him how much it hurt out of 10 (with 10 being the most), he replied with all seriousness "a 4"!  This number became quite significant about 45mins later when he realised that he'd have to go under a general anaesthetic which involved a needle.  Thinking that it would be as painful as the local one he'd endured in his arm back at Easter time he adamantly declared that the pain had reduced to a 2 and he really wouldn't be needing an operation!  In his own words: "I'm fine, really"

An hour later and Sam was wheeled out of surgery.  A little dazed but all good with colour back in his face and a solid cast right up to his arm pit.  Lucky he has already taught himself to write with his left hand and lucky we're all done with the swimming for the season.  The cast might get a bit wet in our November trip to London but he'll be back dancing for the Christmas shows in no time.

And we all said... "what a brave boy".  A big thank you to the American Academy P.E. staff who kept him suitably distracted in the aftermath, and the many friends who rang, wrote cards and gave gifts.

this is not natural....

and neither is this...

Sam is wheeled away for his first experience of surgery.