The crash, the pop, the pain!

Sorry about the lack of pictures lately. I got the camera out and ready to document this particular post, but Ben doesn't really want pictures of it, so I guess you get to read about it all. I don't blame him, sometimes when you don't feel good, the last thing you need is a big fat picture of you on the internet.

So...many of you know that snow skiing is Ben's passion. The word passion doesn't even come close to how he feels about it. Not only does he love it, but he is dang good at it. You should see some of the crazy stuff he has done.

Ben just got some AWESOME new ski boots, he has a great new pair of skis, an awesome new jacket (he looks really hot in it), ect. Not to mention a bunch of free and not so free lift tickets he has been collecting. He has already been a few times this year.

Ben has been MORE than ready for the ski season...and more then excited!!!! We have both been steady gym goers for a long time now, so he is in great shape as well. Ben is ready to hit the slopes!!! Because of school, busy schedules, and lack of funds, Ben has only been able to ski about 5 times in the last 6+ years. big change from going every single weekend, or at least every other weekend, as a little kid and as a teen. It has been a huge deal to him to finally be able to ski a lot during one season.

With that said, Ben headed out with my cousin Warren to hit the slopes at Keystone this last Friday. Wahoo! He had a great first 1/2 the day..then it happened. He hit some little bumps, no big deal. Then he saw a bigger one, so he jumped off it. Again, no big deal. For some reason or another, he landed wrong, and that was that. He smacked his head hard on the ground, and felt a pop in his knee and obviously lots of pain. End of ski day for Ben.

He has been icing, taking Ibproufin, walking with help of a crutch or just a big fat limp, wearing a brace, and elevating it since then, but nonetheless, it is hurt. We are almost sure it is his meniscus and will be visiting the doctor when the swelling goes down. We are praying that is it not the ACL. We don't really want surgery in the near future. He also has had some whiplash pain from hitting his head. Pain in his neck and chest. (Ben doesn't ski slow, so he hit really hard)

For now, we are just hoping against all hope that he can recover in good time and be able to hit the slopes again soon. This is his third time blowing his knee out while skiing, and he thinks it is the least serious of the three. (I beg to differ, but I won't burst his bubble)

As for me, I am having all sorts of flashbacks from my sports medicine days in college and my numerous hours of clinical work. It is comforting to know that all of that schooling was not a waste and never will be. I am probably driving Ben crazy, but it has been interesting to look at, research, and guess what is wrong and what will probably happen.

I feel so bad for Ben though. It looks pretty miserable having to hop all around and not be able to get around much. Not to mention, the possibility that it may be a while until he hops back into his skis. Poor soul.

Get well soon Ben!