It was a mundane task at our house. Something I never thought would turn into the episode it did. But, such is life sometimes. We had a chirping smoke alarm. Russell was certain he had changed the battery only a short time ago so he took it out of the alarm and stuck it to his tongue. Sure enough, no shock. The boys were curious about his testing methods. He pulled a new battery out of the drawer and tested that one. He told the boys to give it a try. Neither was brave enough. I took the battery and told them I would try it so they could see it didn't really hurt, it was just a little startling. They still were not convinced. We used the "I thought you were the brave son" on Stockton. After a few minutes he went to the drawer, grabbed the battery and put it to his tongue. He was surprised but proud of himself for living up to his reputation. We could not get Douglas to test the battery. Stockton even did it again to show him that it wasn't really that bad. We could have left if there but for some reason, we didn't. Douglas' fear of testing the battery turned into a discussion of life. "There are many things that are going to be scary just because you have never done them and don't know what to expect. A mission is a scary thing but you just have to suck it up and go for it." "You don't always get to know what something is like before you do it. You have to put your trust in mom and dad. We just showed you that it is okay. You have to take our word for it." "Heavenly Father gives us things to do and he tells us it is okay. We have to trust him." "This is not about touching your tongue on a battery, this is more about over coming fear!" Oh, to be a fly on the wall at our house! Finally, after many tears and frustrated parents, Douglas put the battery on his tongue. We had no idea that little 9-volt-battery lesson would come in handy only 8 days after the fact.
The first time Douglas got a flu shot he was hysterical. He cried, he kicked, he ran out of the room and we ended up sitting on him. He was about 10! Now he was going in for surgery. He seemed calm. He willingly got himself into the car. He walked into the prep room with no coaxing from mom and dad. He sat in the chair and listened to instructions from the nurse with no tears. He handed his arm over for the insertion of the IV. No restraints were needed. He was so brave. The nurse got the IV in but it wouldn't drip so she removed it and they tried again under the influence of laughing gas. It took 4 additional attempts before they were successful.
The surgery went well. It was about an hour and a half from the time they took him away to the time we were talking to Dr. Walker. He reassured us we made the right decision to operate. The part of the bone closest to his neck was poking up and through the tissue of his shoulder. One of the Dr.'s that helped said it looked like someone had set off a stick of dynamite. The bone was just shattered. They put the little fragments together in the middle of the brake and then secured the two bigger pieces of bone with a plate and 2 screws on each end. Dr. Walker normally likes to do 3 screws but there wasn't enough intact piece of bone to do that. Douglas must now wear a brace for 4 weeks to give that shattered section of bone time to fill in and heal. Whenever we go to a check up or appointment they tell us how "they have never seen one this bad." I guess he did a number on it.
In the center are the little pieces of shattered bone. There is a small little piece at the bottom that has shifted an slipped down a little since surgery but that shouldn't be a problem. Eventually, the plate may need to be removed if it causes any pain or discomfort. He has to have it for at least 6 months and it possibly won't ever bother him.
The nurse told Russell that as Douglas was waking from the anesthesia he had tears rolling down his cheeks and he said, "I just want to play baseball." We had not told them of his tragedy even worse than the break. I guess he was able to release a lot of built up frustration and sadness inside. It broke our heart to hear that story but I do think it has helped him put on a happy face as he watches his team do all the things he can't.
Douglas' team has been so kind. They all signed a poster for him and most of the boys are wearing his #20 on their hats for the World Series. It has made him feel good to have so much love and support. I hope he will remember that when someone needs his love and support.
There are so many ways we can learn and grow through the trials we are given. We can learn to be more gracious in accepting help and kindness shown to us, we can be grateful for the things we can do instead of dwelling on the thing we can't. We can grow closer to our Savior as we rely on him to buoy us up. We can focus on the things that are most important. It is such a bummer that Douglas doesn't get to play in the World Series but I know someday he will be looking back on this and say, "Wow, I was so disappointed that I didn't get to play then but I am SO glad I get to do this now!" Way to conquer that 9-volt battery, bud!
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