Children’s Hospital Is Like EPCOT

‘Tying the knot’ wedding invitation or save the date card. Rope

Tucker and I spent yesterday at Children’s Hospital, which is in itself a really beautiful place.  I spent the day feeling like we were on some part of Disney property with all the colors and foods and things to see.  I’m not even kidding.  We wandered around for the hours between our appointments, and I found myself forgetting why we were there for a few minutes at a time, which I now understand is kind of their whole point.

When we went into the orthopedic exam room, they had all the things you would expect, with one gracious addition: a rocking chair.  For me.  It was Children’s Hospital’s way of saying, Here, mom.  This is probably a hard day for you.  We’ve got this. 

Tucker was the star of the show yesterday, drawing specialists from all over who were eager to meet the kid whose x-rays they had spent two days talking about.  His spirits soared in the stardom. I watched him very nearly lose himself in the presence of two nurses so young and so cute that it’s a little unfair that they’re also crazy smart.

Tucker’s foot injury is “as bad as it gets,” according to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon.  This particularly injury has a special name: Lisfranc.  I like to picture a smart woman surgeon, Liz Fronk, as the namesake of this piece of medical history; I’m told that’s not quite how it went. 

This injury apparently stems back to Napoleon’s army, of all things, times, and people in history.  When men fell from their horses in battle, their feet got twisted and crushed in the stirrups, causing a game-changing break exactly like the one that cracked the arch of Tuck’s foot. 

We have a very, very, very long road ahead of us, and that is if everything goes as well as it possibly can.  Picture me taking a deep breath here, as I gather strength in my diaphragm to list off the following.  Here we go:

If the swelling goes down and he can have the reconstructive surgery on Monday, then he will undergo a 2-3 hour surgery where they will put rods in his bones and pins in his ligaments. There is serious risk of infection because of multiple incisions. He will be admitted to the hospital for pain management for the necessary days and nights.  After that, he will have eight weeks bearing no weight, followed by rehab and physical therapy as he learns how to use his bionic foot.  He will have a second surgery later this year to take out the hardware, and then we will see where we are, how he is, how his foot is growing, and what remains of our perseverance.  That finish line feels like it’s on the other side of the world.

And those are just the facts.  Let alone the subjective sadnesses of his lost summer and a season away from football, the very beat of his heart.

I feel empty, numb, and emotionally bankrupt.  Some things are difficult because I’m a single parent, and some things would be difficult even if Robb were here.  This falls into the second category.  This would be a challenging mile-marker on the childhood timeline no matter what. 

But there would be someone to hold onto at night.

Tricia Lott Williford

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  1. As I’m praying for you all I’m thinking about Ty and how he is doing through all of this, I’m sure it will have a big impact on him as well.
    I’m sure you couldn’t have imagined this chapter in your third book.
    Really praying,
    Deborah

  2. I’m so sorry Tricia and Tuck. That’s really all I can say. I’ll pray for endurance and the ability to smile through it all.

  3. God Bless you!! Prayers being lifted up for you guys!!

  4. Tricia, this morning’s reading in my devotional was all about accepting God’s grace and letting him hold and guide us through the good and bad life throws at us. In times like these I think life has a wicked curve ball and absolutely no sense of timing or humor. Prayers for you, Ty and a speedy recovery for Tuck. You can do this, 24 hours at a time.

  5. So so sorry this is happening to your precious boy. You are so excellent in describing your emotions. I will be praying ! God has got this! I was thinking how hard this must be to be going it alone as an only patent! May God surround you with love and comfort!

  6. I just want you to know that I’m praying for you and Tucker. I recently spent a week in a Children’s Hospital with my son. We are going for more tests tomorrow. It’s not easy when your child is sick or hurting. I know it has got to feel overwhelming for you, but I also know that you are a strong woman with a fierce love for her children, and God has given you those qualities for just such a time as this. But I am praying that He will bring people along your path to help you out when you need it most. Hugs!

  7. This is amazing. So sorry you have to go through this. I am praying for Tucker, you, your other son, and all who will be attending to your needs. And healing, success of the procedures.

  8. I am praying for you and both boys, because what affects one affects all. Each of you will face individual hurdles. I pray that you feel that encompassing that God sends sometimes when we miss the human embrace.

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