swellmomma Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 DD14 called home tonight (ds15 told her to), apparently she has been on medical restrictions for the last 3 days and missed her first expedition. No drill, no PT, no expedition due to a knee injury. They have her on advil 3 times a day and wearing a brace but I am worried because if you have to go to the MIR (the dr there) more than 2-3 times for the same injury they will likely send you home, she's been twice already. 1st time was when it happened, nurse gave her ice packs and sent her back, 2nd day she could barely weight bear and had to go back. Backstory, for the last year she has had issues with her knee feeling like it is popping out of joint when she runs. It has held her back from getting the highest level at fitness testing because of the shuttle runs. It has never caused a big issue, just pain for a day or so but otherwise fine. So they gave her a medical chit so that she had permission to stop and rest her knee if it bothered her while running. 3 days ago they got onto their mountain bikes and started out on what was supposed to be a 3 day expedition. dd14 made it 15 minutes into the ride. She can generally ride for hours without a problem but this time she got pains like someone was slicing her knee open. Got sent to the MIR, saw nurse who gave ice packs and sent her to her barracks. Next day could barely weight bear, saw the dr at the MIR who said he thinks she pulled a tendon and muscle in her knee but doesn't know why she has been having issues on the whole. They do not have access to much there, if she was to need further testing she would have to be transported to the regular hospital in the town. Anyway, she is in a knee brace and on advil 3 times a day. Restricted activity, no expedition, no drill, no PT until Tuesday. Tuesday if the knee is better she can resume activity, if not, well we don't know. She is still in a fair bit of pain even with the brace, advil and rest. If it is not better she risks being sent home early which she doesn't want. She would rather finish out camp with the brace on and do her best. She can weight bear again, and can walk around camp, she thinks she can handle all the activities but is worried about biking again. They have a 5 day expedition coming up she doesn't want to miss. She is attending basic expedition camp, it really isn't much of anything if she doesn't do the outtrips. I think I am going to call the camp tomorrow and ask to have the dr call me. I want to give permission for her to participate in all activities but keep the brace on for support and teh advil as needed. I think she has it in her to do it and then once home get her into a dr to find out what is going on with that knee. Neither one of us want her sent home early because if she is she will not be able to attend again, she will have a mark by her name indicating that she is not up to the physical nature of the camp. She has attended heavily physical camps before (just not cadet ones), and such without issue so we don't want that kwim. Wishing I could do something to make it better for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I'm just wondering if this camp is the best place for her, given her history of problems with her knee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Knees tend to get worse not better. Is it really worth it? Will your insurance pay for knee surgery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Why would you risk life long problems with a knee for a camp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I agree with the other...camp is but a brief period of time. She has to live with that knee forever. She could be doing more damage by trying to use it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I'm surprised camp didn't call you. My 14yo is at camp right now, and I would expect to hear about any kind of medical treatment but especially something with such an impact on activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I'd call, too, ASAP. About knee pain while running, or with other activity. Does she have low arches or flat feet? Does she stretch thoroughly before each run? The combination of low/flat arches and tight muscles can cause serious knee pain. And the pain can worsen cumulatively because it is from bad form that pulls on the knee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Once you get her home I would see a sports medicine doctor---someone who specializes in injuries. Could be as simple as needing better shoes/custom inserts or physical therapy or more but they would be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datgh Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 My son was supposed to attend a cadet academy this summer but they requested he not come. He broke his leg skiing this winter and even though he was just about through physical therapy he was not at 100%. The academy nurse told me even with a doctors note excusing him from certain activities they didn't want him because from their past experience kids in this situation will push to keep up with their peers and invariably end up doing further damage to their bodies because they are trying to protect the weak area or overwork the injured area. I can't believe that the camp is even allowing her to stay at this point. I don't think it is in her best interest. My son was very disappointed he couldn't go but he told me they were right. He would have pushed it even if it hurt because he would have felt he had to and he did not want to go through two surgery's and months of physical therapy again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I'm just wondering if this camp is the best place for her, given her history of problems with her knee. I was just thinking the same thing ... wondering why she was even there with her history of knee problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 If I can ask a simple question, what exactly is cadet camp? It sounds so much more demanding than any regular camps our family has had experience with. They give campers black marks that extend into ongoing years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 hey everyone. Thanks for the concern on her knee. As for why she is there in the first place, her knee has bothered her maybe 4-5 times over the course of the year not something that was a concern for anyone including her dr, she got the permission to attend just to rest it as needed. She was in dance last year and danced on a broken toe, sprained ankle (which she got on a weekend camp for cadets) etc never had the knee bother her until those few times after she stopped dancing. Dr told us when we asked about it before that he figured it was loose joints due to her growing (she just finally started puberty this last year) part of that awkward lankiness teens can get. As for camp if they have to medically restrict longer they will send her home but gave her 4 days to rest it and see what happened before making that determination. In order to qualify for this camp she had to have a certain level of physical fitness done through testing at cadets, she has always scored excellence in all levels (other than shuttle runs) and therefore surpassed the required level (silver) as well has not having issues with bicycling before etc. It was an unexpected injury. As for why I would give permission, because I know my daughter. I know what she can do and I know that she knows when to stop, just like she did. WIth a brace for support I think she could over come any lingering strain. They feel it is a pulled muscle, not something they would send home for at the first sign of pain. Prolonged issues, such as continuing to have issue with it when she gets reassessed tomorrow is a different story. I also do not want this to cast a shadow on future camps. She has 3 more years in cadets yet and if she gets sent home from camp this year she is disqualified from attending at all in the next 3 years. Not all the camps are as physical as expedition, it is the most physical and most sought after and hard to be accepted to, she wants to prove they made the right choice in selecting her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 Cadet camp is military camp hosted on a military base. My kids are in army cadets, camp is like basic training for teens along with specialty training. This is not summer camp like most attend, there is no singing around the campfire at this camp. There is drill, navigation, physical training, etc. Only 1/3 of all cadets in Canada are chosen to attend in any given year, it is selective, it is intense, it pushes them beyond their comfort zones and they love it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pushing beyond your comfort zone when you have a knee injury isn't a good idea. Sorry, but it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn- Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Cadet camp is military camp hosted on a military base. My kids are in army cadets, camp is like basic training for teens along with specialty training. This is not summer camp like most attend, there is no singing around the campfire at this camp. There is drill, navigation, physical training, etc. Only 1/3 of all cadets in Canada are chosen to attend in any given year, it is selective, it is intense, it pushes them beyond their comfort zones and they love it all. That makes so much more sense then what I was thinking. Cadets is a level of girl scouts here and I was thinking "wow, they really beefed up things since I was a cadet." I was about your daughter's age when I had to go through a round of physical therapy for my knees. There is something about the angle of the hips to the knee that can weaken the outer muscle and it needs strengthening. Might be something to look into for when she gets home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pushing beyond your comfort zone when you have a knee injury isn't a good idea. Sorry, but it isn't. But it sounds like Brady's DD didn't have a knee injury when she went to the camp. Random knee pain (like she described before camp) is common in very active people. It can be from overuse and clears up quickly with rest. Her doctor cleared her to attend the camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 For those that don't know what cadets is and pictured something like girl scouts lol Here is the 30 second PSA for army cadets which is what my kids are in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I hope she feels better soon and gets to stay at camp. It sounds really wonderful; I would have loved it as a teen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Hi, you probably don't know that I'm a former cadet officer. You probably also don't know that the system of medical permissions at a cadet camp are very regulated. Your preference that your dd exceed the level of physical activity that her medical staff has ordered will have absolutely no impact on her situation. The MIR is still going to follow procedure. Additionally, your concerns about future camps are probably baseless -- unless you believe that an officer at her local unit would show an unofficial bias against her, such as discouraging her from applying to the future camps she wants. In the "system" there are no black marks for a medical RTU. The condition or injury is not presumed to be ongoing the following year. It's seen as a one-time injury or illness. Having also been a cadet, I think it likely that lack of sleep, stressful events, lack of emotional support, and self-guided nutrition are probably all playing a role in why her symptoms seem to flare up at camp. I suggest that you write to her all about how you believe in her, and how wonderful she is, and how love makes it do she is never really "away" from her family. Also, if she has any experience with meditation or self-soothing techniques she should try those. She should also eat more veggies (even if they are gross),, and if she's trying to avoid fat, or skipping dairy, she needs to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 Got a phone call from her and an officer today. They are giving her the choice if she wants to go home tomorrow or stay and go on expedition tomorrow(I thought it was at the end of the week but they leave tomorrow, hence the dr saying tuesday). They are worried about making it worse but at the same time the section where she hurt her knee caused problems for everyone (first part of the expedition, up a steep hill on a gravelly/sandy road) this expedition is taking a different route, and only 1 uphill portion in the 5 days. After talking to her and the officer, they are going to try a couple things before a decision is made, they are going to see if the MIR has A535 she can rub into the knee, she is going to do some stretches I recommended to see about how the pain level is when using those ones (quads and hamstrings), and they are going to try and get her on a bike today on base and see if she can even pedal with the brace on. No point in heading out tomorrow if she can't peddle. They said they have medics following them on the canoeing and hiking portions in a vehicle so if something happened and her knee flared again she could be brought back to base so that assists in determining if it will be okay, She won't be holding them all back or struggling to get back injured. Knee is still slightly swollen but she is weight bearing, still a little limp but not like it was. She is not really homesick at all, she has been away for weeks before at various camps (horse riding last year for 2 weeks including a 5 day outride) and across the country to ontario for a week when she was 10 etc. I have no clue what she is eating there, she has a good appetite, doesn't avoid fats, just avoids some dairy because she has mild lactose intolerance so she will eat cheese or yogurt but not drink liquid milk). They confirmed what bolt. said about future years. We were worried because the CO of her corps has told the kids for months if they get sent back early they would never be allowed to attend again). The concern she has now is if she will be allowed to do the 6 week expedition next year if she has not done the 3 week one this year because she is striving to eventually do the parachute course. If that won't hold back her goals great, if it will well that is not so great. As for black marks, I know her corps has them because she and brother got written up at cadets before end of year and it was a red chit (I think -they have red and blue one is bad and one is good, they got the bad one) and the CO told them and me that next one would be a black one which would exclude them from any cadet activities. anyway, they are going to try the things I recommended and check for increased pain, increased swelling, inability to even peddle etc and then call me back tonight to discuss it further before dd makes a decision. The fact that they are leaving it up to her tells me they are concerned but not overly worried about it. Writing to her won't help since the decision is being made tonight, but I hope to talk to her again tonight when the officer calls me again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Being "RTU"d (sent home early) for cause (i.e. being a discipline problem) is very rare and a serious offense. Her CO was probably talking about that. Being RTUd medically is completely different. However, it is true that if she does not substantively complete this camp, she might face prerequisite problems for her desired camp next summer. There are "black marks" in the cadet system (both literal and figurative) but they are focused on actual offences, breaking regulations, failing to meet standards, etc. No "black marks" are applied for reasons of injury or sickness. If she stays, please ensure that she gets some concrete emotional support from you. She may not feel homesick, but she is a person, and being disconnected from a support network has real effects, especially when stress is a factor. It may not be a "felt need" in a strong independent teen, but it is an "actual need" none the less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Thanks for posting the update, Brandy! I hope your dd is OK and that she's well enough to be able to stay at camp. I hadn't realized it was such an important thing to her. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 CO from camp called just now. The MIR has medically cleared dd14 and thanks to our talk last night she is going to keep going forward with camp rather than coming home. They were leaving immediately after the phone call for the 5 day expedition. She was very quiet when I spoke to her, says she is tired and now she has this big challenge ahead of her but I know she can do it. She is stronger than she knows. When I spoke to her last night she was talking about coming home because she was afraid of her knee hurting more. I told her not to let fear choose her path, that she didn't want regrets down the line because she let fear rule. That if she wanted to come home I would be waiting for her with open arms but to really think about it and decide if she would let fear rule her. She has obviously opted not to. So proud of her. Even if she still ends up coming home early due to her knee she will know without a doubt she tried her best and pushed herself as far as she could without giving in.Fingers crossed the next 5 days go by with nothing but good memories and not further injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I hope everything works out for her and that her knee doesn't cause her any problems. It sounds like she is smart enough to realize it if she reaches a point where she can't continue, although hopefully it won't come to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Some pictures of dd14 at camp now that she opted to stay:Out on the expedition She is in the front row (the shortest one), her platoon being led back in by bagpipes after expedition past HQ: Another of the march past HQ on their way back into camp from expedition, she is front row far left, with short so long they could almost be capris lol Hanging out relaxing on Sunday after they returned, playing some sort of game with a bunch of guys. The one standing over the table is there as a staff cadet this year, he is from her corps here in town. I am glad to see she is doing so well and that she decided to stay, I think she is too :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Thanks for the update. She sure looks happy! And cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I missed this earlier. It looks like she made the right choice. I'm glad she's enjoying herself and feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 So glad it is working out and she is happy!! Yeah!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 DD14 graduated from her training program this morning :) She will be home tomorrow evening, on her birthday :)This is a link about the training camp in Ontario, so a different facility than my kids are at but gives a basic overview of the cadet training taking place across the country this summer, like what my teens are doing in Vernon this year :)http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=405974&binId=1.1272429&playlistPageNum=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 :party: I'm so glad to hear that everything worked out - I was worried for a while there!!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 dd15 is home and happy to be so though I get the feeling she is missing camp. They got home over 2 hours late last night so she was pretty beat. They sent home a training report about how she did. I am so proud of her, while there was mention about a negative attitude on occasion(can't blame her with her knee bugging her, and she had pms for the first week there), they did say she over all was very positive and snapped out of the negative moods quickly. They commented on her ability to adapt during the canoeing stretch of expedition since she missed the days of instruction and had to learn on the fly during their big trip-she did. During fitness testing she finally got her bronze level and missed silver by 1 lap. She has excellence in all aspects but the shuttle runs, that always screws her up. They earned their emergency first aid courses, and had to put it to the test. During their 5 day out trip a cadet collapsed and stopped breathing. The cadets performed CPR and after care while waiting 4 hours for the medics to come and get him (they had been called to the other platoon for a broken arm and that platoon was in the opposite direction). DD says she did not do the CPR herself but her whole platoon was given a blue chit (good thing) for saving that cdt's life. As well since she graduated from her program she will be given a badge to add to her uniform indicating she has basic expedition training.They recommended her for the 6 week expedition instructor course for next summer pending 2 things. We have to have her knee checked by a specialist to determine that she can participate fully and she has to get a medic alert bracelet. She has always been allergic to cephlasporins, but had a first time reaction to polysporin at camp and they were concerned enough to say she needs one for the next camp. She has said this camp has made her want to join the army even more now. She loved it and she excelled overcoming a set back that nearly had her coming home early. So proud of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.