Inflamed Ribs

MommaFalcon22

MommaFalcon22

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Joined
Jul 2, 2018
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Hi everyone. Twelve days since in-processing and in the second letter from my DS, he nonchalantly informs me that he had to report to medical for what turned out to be inflamed ribs. In his letter, he did not seem freaked out at all; it was delivered in a very matter of fact way. The letter was postmarked a week ago today and I was told if it were serious they would call and that he’s getting the very best of care. I don’t doubt that and I have not received a call. My concern is how this condition might affect him during the rest of BCT since the pain can be exacerbated by strenuous activity. How worried should I be? Thanks in advance.
 
It's pretty common to get some sort of exercise restriction during BCT, at least temporarily after an injury. When he was seen by medical, they would have generated a form (Form 18) that outlines any restrictions. Cadre are responsible for making sure basics follow said restrictions. Theoretically, if the injury was severe enough (think something that would require multiple days of bedrest), he could become a medical turnback. However, that doesn't sound like the case at all. This is more common than you may think, and I would argue that especially during BCT and Recognition, USAFA medical tends to err on the overly conservative side.
 
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for those words of comfort. I’m worried sick that this could turn into a potential medical turn back. But he did not mention anything about bedrest and I have seen pictures of him on web guy up and about. I know the beast still going to be held for all of them, but at least now I’m not as worried about this as I was before. Thank you so much!
 
A large percentage of the Basic Cadets will have to deal with some type of issue during BCT. Mine (2021er) suffered a knee injury playing flag football that required an MRI and physical therapy. I freaked out when I saw him on crutches in WebGuy photos. They took care of it and he was full go in no time. Also be prepared for a large portion to get sick. That place is a huge petri dish with all of them spending so much time in close quarters. "Jacks Cough" will most certainly make an appearance during the second portion of BCT.
This happens every year and they know how to deal with it.
 
That is so comforting to hear, thank you for sharing your experience. It’s so tough not knowing and not having any contact, I’m the biggest worry wart in the world and I hate not having information! My mind can now relax a little bit and it’s nice to hear real life stories of them being taken care of if they’re ill or injured. Inflamed ribs is obviously not as serious as a knee injury, so if they can take care of that I’m sure my DS will be fine. Congrats to your cadet for pulling through! And thanks again for the insight, now I can go back down to my regular anxiety level of Worry-con 2!
 
To quote a familiar line from a movie song "Let it go, let it go...". :) Not trying to make light of your situation here as I know that you care (as we all do with respect for our own DD/DS) for your DS. Replace any worry you have with the reassurance that your DS is in good hands and will be taken care of. It also seems that everything from his perspective is OK based on what you shared from his letter. Take comfort in that information. He may also be challenged by this situation, which in turn is a growth opportunity for him.

FWIW, my DS had a fairly substantial injury during BCT and everything has worked out fine for him since then. At the time we weren't seeing any pictures of him on WebGuy, which certainly is disconcerting so I understand where you're coming from. By the time we received a letter from him detailing the injury he had already been cleared to return to participate in BCT activities.
 
When you see pictures in webguy look to see if he is wearing a bright neon belt, vest or tag. That seems to be the way that they tagging basics with a medical issue that restricts what they can do. Last year it seemed to be neon orange, and the year before I think it was neon blue. Anyway, what I have seen so far this year is neon yellow, this could also switch in Jacks. If you see a picture of your basic and he has that type of tag that it would indicate that he is restricted from certain activities. As all have said before, although you can worry from the sideline, they have it under control and your DS will be well looked after.

No doubt you will learn more when he calls on Doolie Day out that said I wouldn't ask too many questions and get him stressed out (like I may have done with my DD :) )
 
parktrack said:
To quote a familiar line from a movie song "Let it go, let it go...". :) Not trying to make light of your situation here as I know that you care (as we all do with respect for our own DD/DS) for your DS. Replace any worry you have with the reassurance that your DS is in good hands and will be taken care of. It also seems that everything from his perspective is OK based on what you shared from his letter. Take comfort in that information. He may also be challenged by this situation, which in turn is a growth opportunity for him.

FWIW, my DS had a fairly substantial injury during BCT and everything has worked out fine for him since then. At the time we weren't seeing any pictures of him on WebGuy, which certainly is disconcerting so I understand where you're coming from. By the time we received a letter from him detailing the injury he had already been cleared to return to participate in BCT activities.
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Thanks! Definitely good advice. I really need to come to grips with being out of control and out of the know. I’m not a helicopter mom, especially with my DS, he would have none of that! I just crave knowledge and information so that’s the toughest part for me. But what a difference a few hours makes. Saw some great pictures of him last night on Webguy doing platform diving and smiling his butt off so looks like everything is A-OK. At least until the next challenge comes along [emoji6][emoji15][emoji1434][emoji41][emoji631][emoji173]️.
 
Velocity2012 said:
When you see pictures in webguy look to see if he is wearing a bright neon belt, vest or tag. That seems to be the way that they tagging basics with a medical issue that restricts what they can do. Last year it seemed to be neon orange, and the year before I think it was neon blue. Anyway, what I have seen so far this year is neon yellow, this could also switch in Jacks. If you see a picture of your basic and he has that type of tag that it would indicate that he is restricted from certain activities. As all have said before, although you can worry from the sideline, they have it under control and your DS will be well looked after.

No doubt you will learn more when he calls on Doolie Day out that said I wouldn't ask too many questions and get him stressed out (like I may have done with my DD :) )
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Good to know, thanks! Luckily I’ve seen recent pictures on Webguy and he looks great and appears to be fully participating so I feel much better now. When I wrote him back, I was really careful not to sound freaked out and just said, “hope your ribs are doing better!”. I didn’t want him to regret telling me! I appreciate the insight!
 
I found out after the fact that my son had broken his nose during BCT - field day or something like that (old brain). He bled so much it was described in his letter as if "he'd bitten into a live animal." (Love how kids just don't even consider their mother fainting dead away on the porch.) He earned a Snickers bar because he could wait until after the log run to get xrays. For him, no biggie, but we worried and worried. It was indeed broken, but he took some ibuprofen and didn't miss any time, except for the xrays. Tough kid, got tougher.

Upshot of it all: until his brother broke his nose skiing on the Black Diamond course (CRAZY) (and bad break), anyone looking closely could tell the two apart, because of the Rocky Balboa nose on one guy. Not so much now.

Moms and Dads: your babes are now all grown up, and they'll surprise you by their independence, if you let them. Be strong!
 
fencersmother said:
I found out after the fact that my son had broken his nose during BCT - field day or something like that (old brain). He bled so much it was described in his letter as if "he'd bitten into a live animal." (Love how kids just don't even consider their mother fainting dead away on the porch.) He earned a Snickers bar because he could wait until after the log run to get xrays. For him, no biggie, but we worried and worried. It was indeed broken, but he took some ibuprofen and didn't miss any time, except for the xrays. Tough kid, got tougher.

Upshot of it all: until his brother broke his nose skiing on the Black Diamond course (CRAZY) (and bad break), anyone looking closely could tell the two apart, because of the Rocky Balboa nose on one guy. Not so much now.

Moms and Dads: your babes are now all grown up, and they'll surprise you by their independence, if you let them. Be strong!
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Been there for the broken nose thing too...face planting on the terazzo floors in Vandy will do that. :eek:
 
Other twin wound up for a few days hospitalized after he passed out trying for a 500 on his first PFT (or AFT, I forget which). Not quite acclimated to the high altitude and thin air, he was dehydrated, etc. NO ONE LET US KNOW, AT ALL, EVER. He had neglected to fill out the "Yes, Notify My Parents If I Am Hospitalized" section of the induction papers. When I found out, about a week later, I panicked - then realized the whole thing was all over. He had handled himself well in hospital, and afterward. So...

Mom and Dad, you raised Johnny and/or Susie to want this, to be strong, and to be independent. It is usually the parents who fall apart before the basics. Is it hard? Oh yes. But like letting junior fall when riding a bike, he's less likely to fall next time.
 
Rest assured that USAFA certainly takes good care of the basics medically and physically. Basics have the opportunity to go to the clinic every morning, and there are Cadet Emergency Medical personnel on-call 24/7 to respond to acute incidents as needed. The clinic does get busy, particularly come Jacks Valley (most people start coughing and getting sick), but every basic that needs to be seen will be seen and treated.
 
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