Deborah over at http://picturespotspens.blogspot.com/ is hosting Favorite Family Foto. You get to see lots of family photos, hop on over and check them out.
This is a picture taken 5 days before the surgery to remove his tonsils, he's the one in the middle, always smiling, they were going on a trip to the zoo and even though he had a fever of 100 and I know felt so bad, he begged to go on the trip, so we went. He never complained, never did and still doesn't. The little girl behind him is my little niece, Kim, they were very close, we lost Kim last Oct, @ age 40, from a blood clot passing through her heart..Ronnie really took it hard.
His 2d grade picture, all went well for the next 7 yrs, he love to help his Daddy cut fire wood and plant the garden. You never had to ask him he always asked you if you needed help first. He loved football and played PeeWee football, waiting for Jr High when he could play..as he called it..Real Football, he was tough, as I said he never complained and could take hits that other PeeWee players couldn't, Coach German couldn't wait for him to get to the 7th grade..
Don't he look good in his uniform, he was so happy and proud. One day about 4 weeks into practice, the Coach, told Ronnie to have me come see him, when I went to his office I could tell something was wrong, by the look on the Coach's face. He asked me if we'd ever had Ronnie's back xrayed or if he said anything about it hurting, no, he hadn't. The Coach said he's noticed when they had a scrimmage, when Ronnie got hit and was on the ground, he would have to crawl over to a bench or the nearest player to pull himself up. So off to the Dr we go, my heart just broke, he was born with a birth defect that we didn't know about, it is not uncommon, but his playing football and all the getting hit and knocked around had aggravated it, he was born without a muscle holding his vertebra in place, it was the last one next to his tail bone and it had been knocked into the nerves that control his legs, plus he had numerous spurs on his spine. The Dr asked him how did he stand the pain that he had to have been in for years, he looked at the Dr and this is when my heart just snapped into, and said "I though it was normal to hurt". the thought of my beautiful, smiling, happy little boy, who never hurt anyone and always helped anyone who needed help, this tenderhearted little one, who never complained had suffered for years alone, just tore me apart..they did surgery on his back and that ended his football, but his Sr. year he was allowed to play soccer.When they first got married, it was in front of a Preacher in my living room, with just Charles and me there, so on their 5th Anniverary they had the wedding Mindy had always wanted, Marissa was a Mini-Bride and Keifer was Best Man.
He loves these 2 more than life itself, but he and Keifer have a bond like none I've ever seen before. for that story read my post on Keifer.
Ronnie has been plagued with pain for the last 7 yrs non-stop, he has always had problems with spurs on his spine, but the Dr says that they are now in his spinal cord in such a spot that he could be paralyzed if they try to remove them. They have tried everything they can to help releve the pain, the pain pump worked for awhile, until the calcium built around the tube and cut it, this happen 3 times so they were forced to remove the pump. Nothing else has helped, but like the little boy who thought it was normal to hurt, he never complains and never misses work. I worry about him so much, he has aged 10 yrs in the last 3. He looks so tired all the time, and because of the meds his weight goes up and down, this isn't healthy, but I know it is the pain and the meds they are having to give him.
We don't wonderstand why our 2 older boys have to suffer from Spine problems, we have been told it is inherited. They get it from both sides of the family, but instead of giving in and quiting, the pain just seems to make them both strongr and more determined to make it..
A touching story...how sad that he's plagued with pain so young. Your mother's love sure shines throughout this story. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRonnie sounds like a very strong person for all that he is been through. I know you are proud of the man he has become.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling me about the Channel 16 story on Phillip's weight loss. I watched it over the internet. My son flew up to MS today because he is having trouble with his hitting. It was bothering Phillip so bad that he wanted Brett up there to work with. Brett was hitting .400 the first 6 weeks of ball and now his batting average has dropped to .180! I told Phillip his average looks like the Stock Market. Our daughter Britnee and I are staying home to celebrate Easter with my in-laws. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful story and photo! You have some very very courageous boys! Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a wonderful Easter!!
Sherrie
I'm sorry your son has such pain. They never stop being our babies, do they?
ReplyDeleteOur children always remain our babies no matter the age. You have a very beautiful family. Have a blessed Easter..... ^j^
ReplyDeleteIt hurts a mom to see her child hurt.
ReplyDeleteMolly, thank you for sharing a wonderful and sometimes sad story about your son Ronnie. I can plainly see he is brave in spite of his pain and life's problems. He deserves happiness and I pray he finds some relief from pain. Such a handsome guy and so kind. all of your photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a happy Easter and blessings to all.
Hugs...Jeanne
Well it's easy to see you are as proud as punch over Ronnie and no wonder. What a man! A joy to have such a fine son. Sorry his first marriage didn't work but it was meant to be to get KEIFER. The twists and turns of life are amazing. Now he has Marissa too. "He done good" as we coonasses say.
ReplyDeleteHope his back will stop paining him some. I hear that they are making headway in laser surgery on the spine so maybe that can someday come to pass. He's a brave man.
Your Ronnie sounds like an awesome guy Molly. His story is very inspiring. I'm truly sorry he has to suffer from pain and will keep him in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteLoved The Story!!
A wonderful story about a wonderful man. And, as always, your Ronnie remains in my prayer bowl for his chronic pain.
ReplyDelete