Oops...

Two weekends ago, I was talking to my mom. She gave me the run down of what everyone else in the family was up to that day. The kids had the day off from school, and my little brother Dallen decided to go up to the mountain to go snowboarding. Dallen has snowboarded before, but I immediately responded "I sure hope he doesn't get hurt." Little did I know.... I got off the phone, and not an hour later my Dad called. "Dallen fell really hard snowboarding and we are going up to get him." Of course I felt bad for the little guy, but at the time it didn't seem too serious. Well, 1 ski patrol lift down the mountain, a firetruck ride to the local health clinic, and a lot of pain/throw up ended up getting my brother Dallen a ride in the ambulance from Snowqualmie to Harbor View Medical in Seattle. My mom got there in time to ride with him to the hospital and my Dad and sister followed. To make a very long story short.. Dallen ruptured his spleen. I was home alone and was getting sporadic updates on his condition so I googled. BAD IDEA. All I managed to find out is that a ruptured spleen is life threatening, surgery is almost always necessary and then years of rehab and medication follow. I immediately start bawling my eyes out thinking my baby brother is going to die, sending "I love you" messages and watching old family home movies. (Yes, a bit dramatic I know... but I didn't have a great idea of what was really going on and my mind wandered to the worst case scenario) In the end, my family spent 3 days in the ICU with Dallen. His spleen is expected to heal naturally, because he is young and healthy and he has to take the next 6 weeks easy. I am grateful that Dallen is going to be okay. I am grateful that there are doctors who can help little snowboarders like my brother get better after they wipe out, and I am most grateful for family. I love my family so much. I don't know what I would do without them. Love you Mom, Dad, Kendelle, Dallen, and Corey! oh, and Sammie ;)