Senior Season is Over

hsbb05,
I'm so sorry to hear of your son's injury. I have no doubt that this is heartbreaking for you and your son. Hopefully, he will be ok and be able to come back to play college ball.

My son is a HS senior and the second game this year injured his ankle trying to beat out a tag to first base. We waited to go to the hospital until after the game. On the way there, I could see out of the corner of my eye the tears were rolling down his face. Not a sound or word from him. Those tears said it all. Fortunately, my son was ok, just had to miss a few games and was a little slow the next week - badly sprained ankle.

When something has been a huge part of a kid's life and his passion, it's going to hurt to have to give it up. To be prepared to do this is tough enough, but to have an injury end it suddenly just doesn't seem fair to player or parent. Hopefully, he will be able to share in some of the experiences of his team, but I know the loss will remain in his heart.

I'll keep you both in my prayers and sincerely hope for the best for him and his return next fall/spring to baseball. Good luck. Please keep us posted.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate them.

Hope you don't mind a dad posting but my heart goes out to you and your son. My guy is an 09 but I see the effort he puts forth and the love of the game. I would have no idea how to handle him getting hurt in a situation like yours.

I don't say this to depress you. It is meant as a way of acknowleging your love for your son. With that being the core value we can bring to our kids you can't go wrong. It hurts big time now but I'm willing to bet your family will do great.

May God bless you and your family.

hsbb05,

I am going to break the taboo about posting here now that catcher09 broke the ice. What else can you say but heart breaking - that is how I feel along with the other parents when reading about this. I wish I could say something immediate to fix the problem but, please know that my prayers are with your son. I now have two players (yours and luvbb's son) that I am following and hopeful for a full recovery. If you would like to PM me and just scream or cry a little bit - I am a good listener. I know we all have to deal with personal setbacks in life, but when it comes to our kids, the pain can be unbearable at times. My heart goes out to you.

HSBB05,

Sorry I didn't notice this post sooner. I am so sorry to hear about your son and I know the frustration and helplessness you are probably feeling as a parent. We all want the best for our children, and we want their dreams and wishes to come true for them, and it hurts tremendously when obstacles are placed before them that we can do nothing to remove.

Definetly a down time for you and your son.....but in the long run, this hopefully "temporary" adversity will make your son a stronger person. A wise father at my son's school took me aside recently and told me that the year his son missed baseball due to an injury, was probably the best thing that could have happened to him. It was a miserable experience at the time, but in retrospect his son realized he learned what was truly important in his life, and he saw a determination and resolve develop in his son that has helped mold him into the man he is today. It's cliche', but I feel true...everything happens for a reason. It is how we roll with the punches that helps define and mold us as a person. Going thru a "similar" situation as a helpless parent, my heart goes out to you and I will keep you and your son in my thoughts.

HSBB05:
My heart goes out to you and your son. I, too, in retrospect should have stopped my son's pitching when his back was injured; turned out he had a blot clot pressing on a disc nerve as a result of a ruptured disc in his back. He kept trying to 'pitch through' and it kept getting worse. Surgery fixed the problem and he is OK now - if it can be fixed surgically, make sure he does lots of PT afterwards. We'll keep him in our prayers!

ANother thing - stick with the neurosurgeon if you need any surgery. Orthopaedic surgeons are good, but when it involves nerves and discs, the neuro is the best choice. Look for one which promotes 'minimally invasive' techniques also - it's truly miraculous what they can do today.

HSBB05, this year my son lost 2 friends, fellow seniors. One played s****r and the week before he died he had scored the winning goal for the state championship. He and a bunch of teammates went snowboarding in Colorado to celebrate.....Then at a team party the following Tuesday.....he complained of a headache, and within 24 hours he was dead, from bacterial meningites. The other, our baseball player, had wanted a motorcyle...his parents repeatedly refused to allow him to ride one....but....he found a way....he borrowed one.... he died that day. He wasn't experienced enough to handle a big bike.

Our thoughts and prayers are always with their families. Our community has lost 2 fine young men, and their parents suffering is beyond description.

I'm so sorry for the pain your son is having, and I know as a mother, when they are in pain, we are too.....So....hug him, continue to support him, and together, as a family.....you will get through it. Hopefully he will play ball again.....

Watching my son play baseball is still important to me, and tonight is senior night...our last home game....always thought I'd cry a river....but don't feel that way today.....we are still grieving greater losses....

As a previous poster said, you learn from adversity....and you grow....your son will....and so will mine.....unfortunately we can't shield them from all things painful....but I'm glad to be here for him....supporting him....and getting a hug every now and then...when he's not being too cool.....and I'm also very, very thankful that he is here for me too.....

Best wishes for you and your son....

Again thank you all for your responses. Such kind words and great advice. I do realize that there are far more horrible things that can happen to someone's child. I know that in my head but I can't help feeling so sorry for him. I just have to put out of my mind how excited we were for his senior season to finally get here, how well he was throwing and all the expectations. We are still going to every game to support the team and him. And I know we will get through this. He may be able to recover, I just don't know if he will ever be 100% again. Backs seem to be such a "mystery" to the medical world. We do have a good doctor and his college isn't taking away his athletic scholarship so we have a lot to be grateful for. And I am very grateful for this board. It helped us with the recruiting process and now it is helping me mentally . Thanks again so much!

You are in our prayers and we hope to hear updates about your son's healthy recovery.

Anytime you are facing loss, it is both frightening and painful.....whether it is a temporary loss or long term.

With your son leaving for college and leaving behind his network of friends who know his abilities and would support his recovery, it is important that you keep the lines of communication open. His new teammates may certainly encourage him, but it is not quite the same when it is someone you just met. You as a mom need to read between those lines when he may get down and discouraged.

The come-back is the hardest road to walk yet one of the most gratifying when you reach your destination.

hsbb05-Your story is heartbreaking. My prayers go out to your son and family. I too have an "invinsible" son who is pitching thru a back injury that he says "is nothing". It literally ONLY HURTS WHEN HE PITCHES. Please, please let me know what kind of injury your son suffered, if it was gradual, where the pain was and anything else that might be helpful. He has Districts this upcoming week, then leaves for a summer of pitching. He is very difficult to bench. I know that you have been there...HELP!

Alex, I'd make him an appointment immediately to be evaluated by an orthopedist, preferrable one who deals in sports medicine. I'd also talk to the coach. When my own son had an injury at the start of the season, he wanted to come back the day he got off crutches. Coach said absolutely not! He has the authority to protect your son. For some reason those teenagers don't think us parents know what we're talking about , but if the coach won't play him until he gets checked, player has no choice but to wait.

Good luck and hopefully it's nothing. He doesn't want to risk it - get evaluation!

Alex
I would take him to a doctor right away even though he doesn't want to go. My son has a herniated disc at L4/L5 and bulging discs at L3/L4 and L5/S1. It is very serious. When my son started out the season his back was "stiff". Nothing major, it would feel better with activity and it didn't seem like a big deal. Used a weighted running machine at school one night after practice and came home and thought he might have hurt his back further. Still not a big deal because he just complained of some soreness in his lower back. His coach not knowing that his back was hurting called and asked him to dig some clay out at the field. My son told him he would do it but I was very much against it. I even considered calling the coach and telling him that Ryan's back was hurt but I didn't. I wish I would have. But I figured this is an 18 year old who should be a big enough boy to tell his coach that he is hurting and I didn't want to be the over reactive mom. My son had a game to pitch two days later and even though his back was sore he pitched ok just not as much pop on his fast ball. He also plays 3rd and catches in between his scheduled pitching. Next outing still sore but no big deal according to him. 3rd pitching outing he comes to me before the game and say's I can't brace off my leg its killing me but goes out there anyway and pitches an inning and a half before they pull him because he was so wild. I said we need to make a doctor's appointment and see what is wrong. Both the kid and the husband say its not a big deal he will be fine with a little rest. At this point I tell the coach myself the Ryan's back is hurt. Ryan tells him he is fine and continues to play in games. Now he is taking 4 advil before each game so he can get through it. 4th pitching outing he threw 105 pitches before he came out of the game. After the game he asked me to stretch out his hamstrings, it is at this point I discover he can't lift his legs off the ground when he is laying down. He also can't bend forward at the waist. He is at the doctor the next day. 1st doctor says his hip is out of its socket but the xrays show its not. Go to the neurosurgeon and he orders an MRI. The MRI shows what is wrong and we then pull him out baseball until we can see a specialist in Chicago. My son is devistated. He still thinks he can play. He still thinks he will be back this season even though the specialist says that he will not play for the rest of the season. Teenage boys can't see the big picture. At least mine can't all he can think about is how he is letting the team down. I am so mad at myself for not doing what my gut instincts told me to do in the beginning. It makes me sick and I just want to turn back the clock so I can say no. What may have started out as not so much a big deal has turned into a potentially career ending injury. I am sorry this is so long but please don't let your child play hurt. We had to learn it the hard way. I do think reality might be setting in though because today he asked me if I thought he would ever play baseball again. It is very sad and I feel partially to blame for all of this. Please take care of your son and let me know how things are going.

Thanks so much to both of you for your replies. You may have saved my son' back. Keep up the faith on Ryan- Between God and today's doctors, amazing things can happen. Please keep me posted and thanks again for your info and words of wisdom.

hsbb05 - You are not to blame for your son's injuries. Because of you, he is receiving the treatment that he needs. Because of you, he may have a chance to play again one day. Because of you, your son learned a valuable lesson. Because of you, others may get treatment before it goes too far. You are to be commended for staying on task with a passionate baseball playing 18 year old. That is not an easy task as all parents of passionate 18 year olds know! Blessings to you and son.

hsbb05-Thanks again for your "story". My sonwent to the chiropractor and he was in the middle stages of an incorrectable crooked back. With regular adjustments and treatment, he is returning to himself again. It was surely your post that made me take action. I hope your son is recooperating also. Hang in there!!

Alex
Thank you. I am glad your son is on the road to recovery. Mine is getting better a little at a time. This is his last week of regular season baseball. He wants me to let him DH for his final home game this week. I know the doctor wouldn't let him if we asked but he sure is persuasive.

Glad to hear about both of your sons and that both are getting better. Best of luck!

Mine too had a back injury. A stress fracture in the Pars area of the L5 vertebra that he suffered at the end of his sophomore year of high school.

It took awhile to diagnosis and even longer to treat. He, also, was "pitching in pain" and it only hurt when he pitched.

It was nearly impossible to see on an MRI and only showed on a bone scan. Great advice here. The Neuro guys are much better equipped to handle this kind of injury.

Two things ... 1) We found out that its a common injury to pitchers, tennis players and football linemen. 2) We also found out that, when the calcification is complete, along with the healing, that area is now stronger than the surrounding bone.

It took 18 months for complete recovery but it WAS a complete recovery. Knowing what you are up against is the most important thing.

I don't know if anyone will read this since it is a later post. My son was having back pain last year in his junior year after coming from wrestling and going into baseball. It was strange because it only hurt when he would swing his bat(he does not pitch). We thought it was a pulled muscle but near the end of the season he could hardly run because his back was so sore. Took him to an ortho surgeon who x-rayed his back and found spondylolithesis at L5, grade 2(both pars had been fractured and the vertebra slipped forward) He was told by 3 doctors that he needed spinal fusion surgery! I've been a fitness instructor for 15 years and know the importance of muscle balance. Couldn't believe that he needed surgery when it only hurt when he hit. Finally got my son to see a physical therapist. His left hip was raised and his quadratus lumboram was tight. Long story short after doing therapy for 4 weeks he went back to baseball. Hit 4 homeruns in the last 4 games. The doctors told him he shouldn't wrestle his senior year but he did and was 2nd time league champ and 2nd time state qualifier. We had his back x-rayed again at the end of the season and it actually looked better! All doctors and therapist agreed he might have been born with this back. So that's what we think. That is his back. He has to do his stretches and exercises to keep his hip down but that's an easy job compared to surgery! Please don't forget physical therapists! Hope this helps anyone out there with back pain.(The doctors all said therapy wouldn't help because he was so strong. He was strong but imbalanced!)

aerobicv - No one should ever discount physical therapy. While surgery is indicated/needed for many conditions, physical therapy (PT) can often be an alternative. PT can also be the difference between returning to a sport or active life after surgery. Our baseball team (whoops - my son's former team!) actually works out in the winter (at our own cost) with an excellent PT whose specialty is sports training/rehab. This type of training obviously helps players be in better condition thereby reducing chances of injury.

A good physical therapist can do wonderful things for many people. Congratulations to your son and hope he continues to crush the ball!!

Interesting posts about physical therapy. My son has gone for the past 6 weeks and all his pain is gone. Which is a great thing. However, he still can't physically lift his left leg to stretch out his hamstrings. He also can't sit on the floor with his legs straight out in front of him. Not because of pain but because his hip will not let him bend that way. Something is wrong and the neurosurgeon can't explain it so we are off today to the the orthopedic sports medicine doctor who happens to be his college team's physician. That is if he ever gets back to playing. This has been a very long, slow and sad process but we are still hoping for a positive outcome. I really am so grateful that this site is here. It really helps alot of people.

hsbb05 - I'm glad to hear an update on your son. However, sorry to hear that he continues to struggle with his condition. Often times, people expect instant answers with medical conditions, but sometimes the answer doesn't come quickly or easily. Hopefully, his puzzle will get solved soon and he can get back on the road towards ball and an active lifestyle. I'm sure he's frustrated and you're worried. Hang in there and we're all praying for you!

hsbb05
I've just found this thread, so sorry for the back problems your son has had. Hopefully he'll return to playing again soon. Please post what you learn at the ortho today.

A few years ago a friend's son had a bad ankle sprain after stepping in a hole while fielding a ball. The ankle eventually healed but he then started having problems with his legs & lower back. To make a long story short, they went to an orthopedic specialist and it turned out that his hip was jammed upwards and out of position, causing the lower back & leg problems. None of us had ever heard of anything like that, and it may have gone back to when he stepped in that hole. A few weeks of PT fixed it. Nothing like what your son has experienced with his back, but like with aerobicv son, it's worth keeping in mind that hip joint issues can present as, and cause, other problems.

lafmom - Thanks for the kind words.
RHPMom - The doctor visit went well. I thought this guy was the most thorough we've been to so far. He seemed to look at the whole picture not just the back or not just the hips. He ordered blood tests because my son has lost weight. And he ordered an EMG. Thats a test, from what I understand, that measures nerve and muscle function. One thing that my son loved hearing is that he can start doing some physical activity as long as it doesn't hurt. So that was some good news. All of the tests that he ordered can't be done until we get some insurance issues worked out. But they will get done, just not as quick as I would like. It was nice that this was a sports medicine doctor. Plus he played college baseball and understands a kids desire to get back to the game. All in all it was a good visit. We didn't learn too much more than we already knew but maybe some of the tests can point to some answers.

hsbbo5
That's great he can start some activity again. It sounds like rest has helped him so far which is encouraging. Hope you get some answers and he can recover without too much intervention. Do let us know how he's progressing over the summer.

Hsbbo5 - Please keep us posted on how your son is doing. I've been praying for him and your family. I found when my son was told to stop all sports how pyschologically hard it is. Other people wouldn't understand our pain when we would tell them he wasn't supposed to wrestle or play baseball. And the thought of never doing it again was overwhelming. Most of these kids have played since they were just little! Then I also had guilt because I thought was it because we let him play football too early? Wrestle too much? He was playing 3 sports at one time. I'm glad your son is allowed some activity now and I hope you can find the answer to the hip problem. Also, make sure you have a good physical therapist. Ours has helped so many people I know and is really great. I think having a doctor who played sports is also important. Athletes usually have better recoveries then the rest of the population. The first doctor we had said to me "Well, if it was my son I would just have the fusion surgery". That really bugged me! We would have had the surgery and he still would have been in pain. Again, good luck and I hope everything works out.