The practices for the annual Boulders trip for the Rose's Annual Family Reunion started late this year. We had many additions to the band, including two new singers and a new guitar player; Craig, Sonnie and Marty respectively. The first meeting went well with establishing our new songs and thanks to Ron, creating a spreadsheet to follow along.
The first practice was not so good....It's difficult to get so many personalities together, especially musicians. Trust me, I live with one and when the guitar goes on the shoulder they turn into a different person.
Well, me, Mike and the kids arrived at the campsite on Thursday. It was exciting to get "Dori" (the trailer) hooked up and loaded with goodies. That night we BBQ'd some Oysters for Steve and Donna. Sam and Spencer enjoyed the river to themselves and seemed to be having a good time. It was peaceful and we looked forward to the festivities ahead.
Friday the rest of our band members arrived and it was blazing hot. We did our best to keep cool by swimming in the river and drinking plenty of water, and whatever else we could get our hands on! That night the band got together for a trial run! Well, it was awesome. The band was having fun and so were the guests that had arrived that day. Donna and Steve were excited and so were we.
Saturday came and after the breakfast was done, we were ready to start the party! Mike and I went to the river with all the other family members and friends. We had Mojitos, Margaritas and lots of laughs...until I heard Mike say "Oh, that's broken!" "Yah, that's broken!". I turned to find him holding up his arm, it was contorted in a way that let you know what was happening without saying a word. Within minutes we were out of the water and looking for something. Thinking back now, I remember looking around but for the life of me I can't remember what I was looking for, it could have been shoes, a towel, or our stuff. Anyway, just at that moment Craig flew out of the water and was at Mike's side. He instructed us that Mike would be going into shock and not to panic. We don't remember walking up the hill to the car, we don't remember Craig putting on the sling (we think it was made from the lining of his swimsuit) and packing Mike in ice. The only thing Mike did remember was the Vicodin that Sonnie handed him. I had retrieved dry clean clothes for myself, but somehow forgot Mike's. I also took off my sandals.
My Mom drove (in her bathing suit) and we arrived at the Sutter Hospital emergency room, after passing it and making a U-turn. From that moment on you would never have imagined that an experience like this would be a God send, but it was. The hospital emergency room was practically empty. We were in a room within a half hour. I sent my Mom back to camp to watch after the kids, I also didn't want her to have to hang out in her bathing suit. All was quiet and calm. The nurse gave Mike some dry clothes; a t-shirt which I believe may have been left over from the Sutter Hospital employee BBQ and cut off sweat shorts. Mike was warm and comfortable. Oh, I didn't have any shoes and my feet and pretty red toenails were disgusting! You see what us girls worry!
The report came in after the x-ray....Well, let's keep in mind that I kept telling myself that it's just dislocated. It's not going to be that bad and we can go back to camp with a cast and enjoy the night and the music together. Me and my big ears and knack for being nosey led me to listen in on the conversations of the Nurse and Nurse Practitioner. I still didn't want to believe what they were saying but I finally realized that we weren't going back to camp! For some reason, I still felt a sense of peace. It's weird! So within a few hours of arriving at the hospital, the decision was made to have surgery the next morning. Mike was given a room upstairs and within ten minutes, he had a hot meal delivered to his bedside. I need to also mention that his nurses name was Sandi Miller!!!!! Mom came to pick me up and I was faced with packing up the camp, the kids and heading down to the hospital the next morning. It was tough but I did it. Oh, let's not even mention the drama going on within the camp! It was a tearful, stressful time at the camp and I couldn't wait to get the surgery over with, get my kids and Mike home safe and sound.
The surgery day arrived and I was up all night and finally got up at around 5:00am and began to pack. Mom got up and helped and then around 7:00am, I had the kids get up and eat. We had to leave "Dori" (the trailer) and Mike's truck along with the camping gear, whaaa! We arrived at the hospital just in time for Mike to be wheeled into surgery, the kids, my Mom and I kissed him and told him we loved him. Thank the Lord for my Mom who drove the kids home while I waited for Mike. Now, let's talk about this hospital, the doctor and the waiting room...... I was sent to wait in a room that resembled a hotel lobby. The lights were dimly lit, soft music was playing, the chairs were leather and I was alone. It was quiet and soothing. I decided to make the necessary phone calls; my best friend, Mike's family and Mike's work, in that order. As I was on the phone, Mike's surgeon appeared from one the doors marked "authorized personnel" to let me know to set my internal clock at an hour and a half from now, he was starting the surgery. Okay, he could have sent a nurse, or an underling to let me know this but he came to tell me himself.. Wow, I was impressed and I felt special. The surgery went as scheduled, I was escorted to the recovery room by the doctor HIMSELF, where Mike was alone with his recovery room nurse. Special treatment I'd say! The recovery room nurse was awesome and very interesting. We talked about her upcoming trip to Alaska on a Caravan. The Caravan has a leader and schedules and side trips you sign up for like; Salmon fishing and stuff. She told me about the time she was faced with a Grizzly Bear! Now all the while we were talking I kept looking at Mike, he wasn't breathing!! Crap! So I would go over and say "Mike, breathe!! Finally, he woke up enough to know where he was and to go the bathroom. But, little did he know he had already gone in his drawers! They didn't give him a catheter during surgery and he was still wearing his Sutter Hospital T-shirt and shorts!!! Funny!
We are home now and faced with eight weeks off of work. Mike doesn't know what to do with himself. He can't play the guitar to write music, he doesn't want to drink and he can't use his right arm! For now, he will have to learn that there are other things in life that are fun. Hey, like weeding and watering, like laundry and cleaning the toilet. All these things you can do with one hand, right? I have hope for him!
Please give him a call and let him know you are thinking of him!
