Mark's Broken Arm

We were pretty excited when we got an opportunity to ride electric bikes in Provo Canyon. We were a little worried, though, too. Dax and Seth aren’t big enough to handle the big bikes. Luckily, they were able to get electric scooters, which were just as much fun. So, with some trepidation that a scooter was going down at some point, we climbed on and headed up the Provo River Trail. 

We made it all the way to Bridal Veil Falls without incident. Then we turned around and came back down. Mom was taking a lot of pictures and Dad and Mark were leading. The other boys cruised along on their scooters, too.

We had a fun time riding the bikes!

Right before the incident.

Finally, Dad decided that he and Mark better stop and let the others catch up. They pulled to the side right where the trail goes under a short footpath. Dad waited on the side while Mark had fun cruising down under the tunnel and shooting up the other side.

 

On his last pass, just as Mom caught up, Dad saw another biker cruising up the trail. He shouted to Mark, who turned and then looked back forward. At that speed he momentarily lost control of the bike and laid it down. He suffered a fair amount of road rash, but he said his wrist really hurt, too.

 

We knew it couldn’t be broken because Mark had recently made the summer team for High School. In the game the previous night he’d started at shortstop and hammered a triple over the centerfielder’s head. When Dad asked which hurt worse, the road rash or the wrist, Mark said, “Definitely the wrist.” We knew it was broken.

Mark was very tough and actually never cried even though Mom could tell he was in a lot of pain. He has also handled it very well, and didn't complain, even though he had to get that bike back to the bottom of the canyon with one arm. 

Mark got a purple cast to show his team spirit (and colors). He’s taken it all very well, though he is going to miss the next four weeks of the season. If he’s lucky, he might play the last two games of summer league. For now, we are just hoping the wrist heals up okay!

Mark had a temporary cast for 4 days while we waited for the swelling to go down.

Then he got this nice purple cast.

Update: Mark got his cast off today exactly four weeks after he got it on. He was so excited to swing a bat again. The doctor told him to use it a lot, in fact, he recommended a lot of vacuuming, window washing, and dishes. His arm has healed up wonderfully and he was most excited to take a shower without a garbage bag! He even raked a single in his first trip back to the plate!

Last few moments with the purple cast.

The nurse was so careful while cutting the cast off. 

Then the doctor zipped the other side off in 3 seconds.

Mark's arm was pretty gross under that cast.