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Comment by Angie-T on May 8, 2012 at 8:55pm

Welcome 1proudmom - sorry to hear about your daughter.  My daughter ended up with 10 stress fractures - I hope your daughter has a speedy recovery and gets back to graduation soon. 

Debra - Sorry to hear about your son - I know it is hard and exciting about your son coming home.   If you need anything, let me know - Seps has it's ups and downs - I knew my daughter was there because I got a facebook message from her before she called.   

Sharon - Glad to hear your son is doing good - Laura is suppose to still have bone scans done - just haven't been able to get them yet.  Her stress fractures are almost healed as well (how long did it take your son) because hers still hurts sometimes - and twice as bad when it rains.  The doctor said it was normal, and the arithetis might always be there now.   Good news is June 28th esthiology school starts and she is in the final stages of applying.  

Everyone else - I am still reading post and pray everyone has a speedy recovery, and thanks again for all the support while we were here. 

Comment by SharonW on May 8, 2012 at 7:42pm

Oh Debra, I'm so sorry to hear about your son.  I'm more than willing to share my experiences with you and will let Kevin know as well.

I'll send you a private message in a bit.

Sharon

Comment by SharonW on May 8, 2012 at 7:11pm

Good evening to all!

Kevin had a great appointment today with the orthopedic surgeon (who is also a sports medicine specialist). Today's X-rays show the fractures are pretty much healed which was quite reassuring to us.  The doctor took the time to explain about stress fractures, how bones grow and heal, discussed an exercise/fitness routine for him to follow and answered all questions. Kevin was quite impressed that the doctor took the time to explain everything to him.  Then it was off to get a decent pair of running shoes for him.  

It has been a week since he left RTC and he is doing well. He is pain free, getting used to wearing civilian clothes again, eating a pretty healthy diet (he did indulge in McDonald's today for lunch), gets plenty of sleep and has been in the pool several times during the last week for exercise - one of the benefits of living in Florida!

We are happy to have him home.  He still wants to return to the Navy when he is 'healed'.  He qualified as an 'Alpha Nuke' on his ASVAB and those scores are good for two years.  Some of the RDC's told him that there is always a need for nukes since they are worked hard and many get out after their enlistment is done which was good news for him to hear.  

Navy2011Mom - have a fabulous time in San Antonio!  You will be totally amazed when you see and spend time with your son after so long.  As other moms have said the change is incredible.

I do hope everyone receives letters and phone calls this week.  Many of you know how little Kevin wrote to me while he was at RTC & RCU.  Last night he handed me a partially written letter from January!  And I did read it.

As always, thanks to all for your continued prayers and kind thoughts for Kevin, Sharon

Comment by Navy2011Mom on May 8, 2012 at 7:00pm

Oh, Debra...   I'm so happy/sad/etc. with you on this.  Just knowing what's going to happen though must be such a relief.  That's so funny about your husband and the info. he relayed.  I don't think men understand the COMPLETE information we want.  Not just the basics, I want every question I might think of answered. 

Praying for your son's continued healing and uplifting of his spirits.  All my best to you and your entire family.

BIG HUGS!!!!

-Janet

Comment by Debra11 on May 8, 2012 at 6:45pm

Hello ladies; I am sad to say that my son is coming home.  Well, that didn't come out right, because I'm actually thrilled to see him, but they found more stress fractures, this time not only in his legs but his feet.  I didn't talk to him, he called my husband (I'm tough to call at work), and of course when I asked my husband how our son felt about coming home, I got nothing.  I'm worried that he'll be down on himself, but he has been in RCU since early February, so I believe he knew it was a definite possibility.  I've gone through many emotions today since hearing the news, and it was probably good I couldn't break down at work.  It actually feels kind of good to know what's happening, instead of being in the dark and worrying.

So.... Sharon, I would love to talk to you further, as I plan on doing the same thing you are doing with your son, to bring him to an orthopedic when he gets home.  

Thanks to all of our for support; even though I joined the group late, I got a lot from all of you and I really appreciate it.  

The other neat thing is that he'll probably be home in about 2 weeks, which is just around the time of my birthday.  Happy birthday to me!

Comment by Navy2011Mom on May 8, 2012 at 12:24pm

1ProudMom...  I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's stress fractures, but am glad that you found this group as well.  The moms here really do know how difficult it can be going through this with your SR,.  The women here are ready and willing to help you through this in any way they can.  We really have been there.  All of our kids are going through (or have gone through) some injury and we know that waiting on information or waiting to hear from your SR is the hardest thing we have to do.  Knowing that your child is injured and not being able to be there for them is tough, but you really are not alone. 

Stress fractures seem to be a common injury.  My son ended up being in RCU for over 12 weeks -- 6 weeks for the 1st stress fracture in his left shin, then moving on to Phase 4 where they start running again, and developing a 2nd stress fracture, but in his right shin.  There are always the emotional ups and downs during their time in RCU.  My son kept saying how sorry he was for causing all this trouble -- WHAT???  I couldn't believe how he seemed to feel so guilty about being injured -- like he had any control over that.  The ladies that have posted already are all right.  Sending things to keep their spirits up is priceless.  My son still comments on how those cards and letters kept him going during the time he spent in RCU.  Please know that while you're there for your SR, we are always here for you.

Sharon...  praying for Kevin and your family.  Anxious to hear the prognosis as well as everyone else.  Hope you are doing well too.

Jill...  don't you hate it when work interferes with N4M business??  LOL!!

Okay, Ladies....  I'm on the countdown...    Only 4 more days until we leave for San Antonio to see our son FINALLY!!  My family thinks I'm crazy because I'm already completely packed -- finished it on Sunday, of course ;)) 

Have a good week, ladies!!

Comment by Patrick's Mom on May 8, 2012 at 10:51am

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I didn't see Jill's post til after I posted mine.  She brings up such a valuable point.  Many of us have seen our son's come to even embrace their experience in RCU because it helped them to mature and grow in ways they may not have otherwise.  I am totally with Jill that in times of adversity (I definitely know this from my own life experience), God can grow us far beyond what we can even dream or imagine if we allow Him to.  Keep the faith and know that very good and positive things can come out of their difficult and trying experience of spending quite a bit of extra time at boot camp.

Sharon...can't wait to hear how Kevin is doing, and what the doctor's prognosis is. 

Comment by Patrick's Mom on May 8, 2012 at 10:40am

Hi 1ProudMom,

It's always difficult to "welcome" someone here, as none of us wishes to have a child end up in RCU, but since you do, we're glad you found us and will do all we can to help and encourage you.

Many of us have found ourselves in the same boat (no pun intended)!  Our kids are very close to graduation and then injury hits.  It's so very sad for them not to be able to graduate with the division they have bonded and trained with - it's really very understandable when we hear how depressed and down they are.   It certainly breaks all our "mother hearts"!

Now to get on to the business of continuing to be there for them more than ever!  One thing many of us have done is ask all friends, relatives, people you meet in the grocery store (just kidding), to send our kids get well cards with encouraging notes.  Point is, the more people you ask - the more encouragement via letters and cards she receives which is all the better!  As far as sending cartoons - I never personally sent any.  Perhaps a Mom who has done so can share with you if it turned out to be a problem.  I did however, send my son articles (sports) about our local teams and he never mentioned that being a problem.  RCU does also have a library which many of the Moms here have donated to.  (Most of us here have sons, so I don't know if there's a separate library for the girl's side of RCU or if they share the same one).  Perhaps that's a question you can ask your daughter the next time she calls.

The best advice I can give you is just to keep those encouraging letters coming to your daughter - that, and LOTS of prayer.  I believe God is working on each and every recruit in that RCU, although sometimes His timing for healing takes a bit longer than what our timeline would be.  Hang in there Mama!  This is a wonderful group of ladies, who I'm sure will warmly welcome you and give you TONS of encouragement and advice.

Karen (Mom of Patrick who spent 4 months (2 months in RCU) in boot camp due to stress fractures in his legs. 

Comment by SharonW on May 8, 2012 at 10:39am

Welcome aboard 1ProudMom, Jill gave some great suggestions in her post. My suggestion is to take the time, if you haven't done so already, and read through the previous posts. There is a wealth of information there. The moms on this site are amazingly supportive and encouraging. We understand what you're going through as we've all been there.

Ladies, Kevin and I are at the orthopedic surgeon's office as I write this note. I'll write more after he sees the doctor.
Regards, Sharon

Comment by Jill on May 8, 2012 at 10:29am

Hi 1ProudMom, so sorry to hear of your daughter's difficulties.  I remember the "down and discouraged" times with my son also, especially right after they receive bad news.... The only advice I can give to both of you is that you HAVE to have faith that all of this is happening for a very good reason, and that things will be fine in the end.  I have repeated this mantra to my son over and over and over again in letters, sometimes in the form of Bible verses that say the same thing, sometimes in the form of examples of others that we know who have gone through tough times.  And I keep telling him that it's not the easy times in life that make us better people, it's the hard times, that's when we learn the most valuable lessons... |
I know that we can't send books or magazines right now, (that may change again later, as we could do that for awhile), but I don't believe there are any restrictions on pictures or newspaper articles.  As long as it fits in a normal envelope, I'm sure there won't be an issue.

Another thing that might encourage your daughter is that there will be opportunities to form wonderful friendships in RCU, in a lot of ways more so than in a regular division.... 

Other moms:  at work, so as usual don't have time to comment on all your posts, you know I'm reading, smiling, and praying though....

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