- R
- M
Rugby family and friends,
Our family is writing because we need help. We need all the love and support from the rugby community we can get.
On August 4th, Nick was playing with the SoCal Griffins against Mexico. I had work till 3:30, so of course Lily went up to chill on the sideline and watch Nick play.
Right after the half, as I was driving up, Nick had a devastating injury.
His left ankle bone was out.
After breaking the line, he got tackled from behind and the force dislocated his ankle, fractured his fibula and shredded multiple ligaments.
The trainers (Chris you are a LEGEND) wrapped him up and he remained calm. When he talks about it, all he can really say is he had to because he knew Lily was on the sideline.
Right as they finished wrapping him up and the ambulance on the way, I arrived.
The coach's girlfriend had Lily and let me know what was going on right when I got there. Lily was calm but so concerned. Nick was breathing and doing his best to just stay calm- and wow was he. His ankle bone was out, foot hanging, and he was CALM. I am so amazed at how strong he was.
From there he was rushed to the hospital, got cleaned up a bit and Lily and I were able to see him for a bit. Dr. Thunder (Yes, his name is Thunder, no he was not the slightest entertained by my "YAAAS" and double fist pump when told his name) came in and notified us surgery would be that night. With the little time I had, I ran Lily to her friends house (LOVE our BJJ family) and got back 10 minutes before Nick went into surgery.
In the waiting room, Nicks teammate Derrick and wife Anna brought me food, figured out what to do with Nick's car, and gave me a hug.
Just over two hours later, Dr. Thunder walked out and let me know he put a steel plate and 8 pins in Nicks fibula, the ligament that keeps his bones together was shredded so he laid it over, and a pin to hold the bones together that will get taken out in 6-8 weeks.
15 minutes later I was back with Nick waiting to get moved to the room.
We stayed the night, got crutches from the Kompund (rugby house) and made our way home late Monday afternoon.
SUNDAY IS NOT A RUGBY DAY
It's been a long two weeks. Luckily, I had the week off (for Nationals with LifeWest) and was able to stay home and take care of Nick, Lily, our dogs and the house.
So many positive messages, helpful tips, support and love from everyone has helped immensely. Plus some dinners which made my life SO much easier.
Now reality is setting in.
He cannot put weight on his foot for two months. We're unsure when he will be back to "normal".
During and after Nick's time with SD Legion, he has been driving for Uber and Lyft. Which now he is unable to work for 2-3 months.
We're working with USA Rugby's insurance but Nick himself is uninsured. And we are unsure how much their insurance will cover. We have applied for emergency Medi-Cal, so hoping and praying he gets approved.
I am working 55+ hours a week. While taking care of Nick, Lily, and our dogs. And to be honest, struggling within myself trying to get a hold of my depression and anxiety. Which you can imagine, this situation can add a bit of stress to that all.
Right now, we're just trying to figure out how we are going to make it all work. Our household, these medical bills, everything. With Nick unable to work, I'm unsure how we're going to make it by. These medical bills just keep coming...
So please, donate, share and please help get our rugby family back on top and tackling all that life is throwing our way.
Please note the pillows under Lily's leg because "It's not fair Daddy has to sleep like that and his ankle is hurt. He doesn't deserve it." So this is her way of empathizing and putting smiles on our faces :)
Our family is writing because we need help. We need all the love and support from the rugby community we can get.
On August 4th, Nick was playing with the SoCal Griffins against Mexico. I had work till 3:30, so of course Lily went up to chill on the sideline and watch Nick play.
Right after the half, as I was driving up, Nick had a devastating injury.
His left ankle bone was out.
After breaking the line, he got tackled from behind and the force dislocated his ankle, fractured his fibula and shredded multiple ligaments.
The trainers (Chris you are a LEGEND) wrapped him up and he remained calm. When he talks about it, all he can really say is he had to because he knew Lily was on the sideline.
Right as they finished wrapping him up and the ambulance on the way, I arrived.
The coach's girlfriend had Lily and let me know what was going on right when I got there. Lily was calm but so concerned. Nick was breathing and doing his best to just stay calm- and wow was he. His ankle bone was out, foot hanging, and he was CALM. I am so amazed at how strong he was.
From there he was rushed to the hospital, got cleaned up a bit and Lily and I were able to see him for a bit. Dr. Thunder (Yes, his name is Thunder, no he was not the slightest entertained by my "YAAAS" and double fist pump when told his name) came in and notified us surgery would be that night. With the little time I had, I ran Lily to her friends house (LOVE our BJJ family) and got back 10 minutes before Nick went into surgery.
In the waiting room, Nicks teammate Derrick and wife Anna brought me food, figured out what to do with Nick's car, and gave me a hug.
Just over two hours later, Dr. Thunder walked out and let me know he put a steel plate and 8 pins in Nicks fibula, the ligament that keeps his bones together was shredded so he laid it over, and a pin to hold the bones together that will get taken out in 6-8 weeks.
15 minutes later I was back with Nick waiting to get moved to the room.
We stayed the night, got crutches from the Kompund (rugby house) and made our way home late Monday afternoon.
SUNDAY IS NOT A RUGBY DAY
It's been a long two weeks. Luckily, I had the week off (for Nationals with LifeWest) and was able to stay home and take care of Nick, Lily, our dogs and the house.
So many positive messages, helpful tips, support and love from everyone has helped immensely. Plus some dinners which made my life SO much easier.
Now reality is setting in.
He cannot put weight on his foot for two months. We're unsure when he will be back to "normal".
During and after Nick's time with SD Legion, he has been driving for Uber and Lyft. Which now he is unable to work for 2-3 months.
We're working with USA Rugby's insurance but Nick himself is uninsured. And we are unsure how much their insurance will cover. We have applied for emergency Medi-Cal, so hoping and praying he gets approved.
I am working 55+ hours a week. While taking care of Nick, Lily, and our dogs. And to be honest, struggling within myself trying to get a hold of my depression and anxiety. Which you can imagine, this situation can add a bit of stress to that all.
Right now, we're just trying to figure out how we are going to make it all work. Our household, these medical bills, everything. With Nick unable to work, I'm unsure how we're going to make it by. These medical bills just keep coming...
So please, donate, share and please help get our rugby family back on top and tackling all that life is throwing our way.
Please note the pillows under Lily's leg because "It's not fair Daddy has to sleep like that and his ankle is hurt. He doesn't deserve it." So this is her way of empathizing and putting smiles on our faces :)