Update II

#1 Son has been seen again (twice again) and they have discovered a wrist fracture, determined that his elbow fracture was just a breath away from needing surgery and put him in a cast from hand to bicep. 

I have spoken to Mr. S., had emails from the Host Mom and #1 and have talked to my own ortho doc.  The important things at this point are that the boy rests for a few days before trying to resume the group activities and that his pity party winds down and he starts to enjoy himself again. 

On Sunday his Host Family will take him to Cologne since he will miss tomorrow's trip and on Monday, instead of biking/busing into Dortmund, the Program Coordinator will pick the boy and Host Girl up before the group heads off to Amsterdam for the day.

He will see the German doctor again next Thursday before flying back on the 20th.

So far, the medical bills total, are you sitting down, 50 euros.  I think that I will retire to Germany some day.  When #2 Son broke his wrist, the bills totaled $900.

I have emailed back to the boy and reminded him that the doctors always talk worst case and that he may heal quickly.  By tomorrow, he should be getting past the initial discomfort of the cast and the new meds should be doing their thing. 

I'm feeling more emotional today than yesterday.  The boy's emotions must be all over the place too, but I've been told that he has been instructed to sleep so I'll hold off on calling him until tomorrow.

It's a good thing that I sent that stole to the Host Mom.

Comments

[Penny]

Hope #1 son mends quickly. My 30 yr old daughter was just a little older than your son when she spent a semester in Madrid and became ill with a very bad flu. One feels helpless and frightened during these crises. I'm glad it won't be long before he returns.

[marianne]

and folks think there's something horribly wrong with socialized medicine/health care? Seems like they're taking good care of #1Son!
I hope he feels better soon and enjoys the rest of his stay.
It always seems to 'hit' you once the initial crisis is over, eh?
I hope you've been resting also.

[Sue]

It's hard when you can move out of warrior mum mode and then suddenly start feeling all those emotions that were bubbling away underneath. He sounds in fantastic hands.

And yes - you've got to love socialised health care. You could retire to Australia, that way you wouldn't have to learn german :-).

[LisaK]

I hope he gets to have fun and isn't in too much pain. Hugs for you. That's rough having your baby injured so far away.

Broken ankle, $1500, so far and I'm not done yet. I have insurance.

[JulieT]

Haha, yes, it IS good you sent that stole to the host mom. The whole family sounds wonderful. Maybe they'll let us both retire to a small shed on their property... fifty euros!! Crap, my broken arm cost more than that and I have insurance!

For what it's worth, I've broken a lot of bones in my day, and 99% of the time, once the broken ends are immobilized, you start to feel better almost instantly. I hope this is the case for #1 son.

[Cookie]

There is a tiny upside to socialism. No matter what some people say.

I'm so sorry that he is hurt worse than we first thought. Thank goodness he's in Germany where he can get good medical care and with a family that is looking after him.

I think that cute German teacher owes you some really good yarn now. ;^)

*huggles*

[CindyCindy]

I'm sorry he's broken a bit. Thank goodness he's a young'un. And, you are so allowed to be emotional. Your baby is hurt and he's too far away to hug. That's hard.

[kmkat]

My #2 son broke his wrist last fall; $1,000 medical bill which he had to pay 100%. I broke my ankle earlier last fall and needed surgery; bills totalled $13,000, almost all covered by insurance.

I'm glad he is going to be okay, no surgery. Hang in there, Mom!

[Nora]

Glad you gave us an update - I've been thinking about you! Hopefully he'll get some rest and emerge with a refreshed view of the world. He certainly is going to have stories to tell about his trip!!

xoxo

[margaret]

oh did I have empathetic pain when I read this ... broke my wrist one year ago (surgery anniversary is tomorrow) - I also think I'm going to relocate to across the pond somewhere - you don't even want to KNOW what my wrist surgery cost!

he's young - he'll be OK - it was tough on THIS knitter, though -

[Stacey]

Yeah for good news. 50 euros?!? Are you kidding me? I'm thinking I might become and ex-pat too!

Hope your Thursday brings nothing but good news and calm nerves.

xoxo