I had just finished with my strength workout and was starting a leisurely walk on the treadmill at the hotel gym in NC when the gymnastics gym called me, asking if I was close by. Cue the instant uh oh feeling . . .
G had fallen off of the bars and her arm was (direct quote): “definitely broken.” I will spare you the photos of it bent like a snake and fast forward to the conclusion:
She fractured her radius and ulna, and the fracture was displaced and open (bone exposed, though just a little) so she went straight to the hospital where I work and then to the OR while we flew back on the first direct flight from RDU.
(For anyone keeping track, this is our family’s 2nd overnight hospitalization and 3rd kid fracture in 2025 — A + C both broke fingers, plus my stuff happened in March. No one had EVER broken anything before this year!! I VERY MUCH HOPE THIS IS IT!?!?)
She got transported in an ambulance and spent one night in the hospital (I stayed with her – Josh’s dad and our nanny were with her initially in the hospital, and Josh and I arrived just as she came out of surgery) and is now home and doing well. I am sad this summer won’t look the way I envisioned it for her (no swimming for at least 3 weeks!) but so glad it is something she is expected to fully recover from. She will switch to a short (waterproof) cast in ~3 weeks and then that one will come off 3 weeks later, so probably ~6 weeks of casting. AND, she has a pin in place that will be removed in a couple of months. I am comforted by the fact that Josh had an equally terrible leg injury (displaced tib/fib fracture in 2012) and can still do everything on his leg (marathons included).
ANYWAY! BEST LAID PLANS INDEED, lol. But rolling with it. Because (duh) we have to! And it will be okay.
(Yep, I missed the party I had flown to NC for but I had zero conflicting feelings about that! Sad, but also: priorities. I did get to see one of my good friends while we waited for our flight, which was really nice even in those circumstances.)
20 Comments
Noooo. I can’t believe this is happening. Again. It really does seem to never rain but always pour and my goodness it has been a downpour so far this year. But so thankful for good medical supports and it looks like G is in good spirits.
Our son broke his wrist the afternoon of his first swimming lesson a few years ago. There went that activity for a whole summer. And then last year he broke his thumb the night before soccer tryouts. So far, no broken bones in 2025 and I’m hoping to keep it that way.
Oh Sarah!! Such a rough year. Glad she’ll be okay.
Omg. You guys just cannot catch a break. That sounds like a gory injury. Poor G! I hope she isn’t in pain? I am amazed how short kids are in casts, though. That sounds like a serious fracture but 6 weeks is fairly short in the grand scheme of things? I feel like kids were in casts for longer when I was a kid and there wasn’t such a thing as a water proof cast. I am sorry this is making summer planning more complicated but I am glad this happened AFTER your trip!
Stop it. I’m so sorry this happened, especially when you were away – thank god for reliable childcare!!! Here’s hoping this is THE END and also that G heals quickly.
Ahhh Sarah, my goodness! So glad she is okay and you had support at home to hang out with her before you got back. But…how stressful!! The IGer Merrick’s Art posted about something similar (arm break + surgery) happening to her son over the weekend, so maybe it’s the season?? Here’s hoping you all have many months (decades) ahead free of medical drama!
Wow- you guys have had QUITE A YEAR. G looks happy- I hope she’s feeling okay. Yes, this puts a monkey wrench into your summer plans, but thank god it’s something she’ll recover from.
Neither of my kids has ever broken a bone! But- they’re not athletic. I suppose it’s possible to break something in marching band, but unlikely.
Whoa, you are having a YEAR. I hope she isn’t hurting, and that this is the last of the medical incidents. You guys need a break!
so sorry to hear about the fall and fracture. it’s always scary. Sofia had a cast for 6 weeks when she was 18 months. I still remember how “active” she was despite carrying a cast. The good thing is that kids recover well and fast. hang in there.
isn’t it “funny” how life throws us a curve ball at any moment? especially when we feel it’s finally all good?
Noooo, poor thing (even though she’s cute as can be and doesn’t look to be in any pain in those pictures). Sounds like it was a pretty rough injury! Fall from bar or beam? So glad they were able to fix her up and it will be a complete recovery. Perhaps it’s fortunate that Florida’s swim season won’t be over in 6 weeks, and she’ll still fit in some swimming? Ah, still, sorry this happened to her!
Oh goodness, what a 2025 you guys have had! I’m glad it happened after your NH trip, at least? But so stressful to have it happens when you’re away. I hope she is still able to do her camps and other planned summer activities!
Gah! I know that feeling of “my phone is ringing and it should not be”. My ruling is that things like this come in threes, and you have done your three. I don’t have any enforcement authority, but if I did the only reason why a member of the SHU household would go to the hospital is for work reasons.
On an unrelated note, I listened to Tiffany Moon’s book this weekend after hearing your interview with her on BOBW. It was terrific!
yes I really liked that book!!! and thank you!!!! hopefully 3/3, we’re DONE!
Poor G! I’m sorry your trip got cut short; hopefully this is your family’s last injury/hospital stay for quite some time! Hoping it won’t interfere with too many summer plans beyond swimming and gymnastics — maybe it’s the perfect time for her to dive into summer reading? My middle is about to turn 8 and, lately, she’s lately been really into the Baby-Sitters Club books (and accompanying shows/movie) and the Wayside School series.
Oh no! When I was in 3rd grade, I broke my elbow in gymnastics. I was reaching for the high bar and missed, falling with my arm locked. No surgery needed, but I don’t have any lingering issues so hopefully that’s the same for her!
BOOOOOOO!!!!!
The good news is that G will bounce back because kids almost always do. I’m sorry you missed your party.
Oh no! Refuah shleimah to G. Hoping she has a full and speedy recovery.
Oh my goodness! I am so glad G is okay and expected to have a full recovery. Her cast is so pretty! Casts sure have come a long way since I was kid. Such a bummer to miss your party, and what a blessing that you were able to be home in time to see her out of surgery.
Poor girl! Hope she recovers quickly!
WHAT. NO. You guys have had to deal with ENOUGH. I’m so sorry! She seems to be in good spirits from the photos, but how horrible to be in a different STATE when it happened. I’m glad you were able to get an immediate flight home. <3
Poor G! Seems all are handling it well. What a year!