Squaring UP!

Jace still has pain at his appendectomy site.  Also, his worst side effect from chemotherapy always occurs in his legs and feet. After treatments, he has so much pain even getting out of bed in the mornings and putting his feet on the ground.  Usually the pain wears off as he gets going, but it is painful to watch him take his first 20 steps of the day. 

Naturally I didn’t think he’d want to attend his baseball scrimmage Saturday morning. (He can’t even swing a bat yet!) After a few tears of frustration when he realized how badly his legs hurt--  particularly his right ankle, we rubbed down both legs and feet, and he showered off his frustration.  When he emerged again his face had a new glow and look of determination. I knew we were playing baseball today!

“You can’t swing a bat, you realize…” I gently reminded him as he came downstairs in his baseball pants and jersey.  He dropped his chin to his chest and thought about this for a second.  I defended my position:  “Honey, it really will hurt you…”

“Do you think Coach will let me play even if I can’t bat?” he questioned. “Or better yet!” he exclaimed. “Maybe I could just BUNT!” I kissed him on the cheek and told him he could ask his coach if that was a possibility…

When we arrived at the field, Jace crawled out of the car, glove in hand. Hayden and I watched him take two forced, slow steps toward the dugout, which turned into two quicker ones.  Then he was jogging a rough, baby horse kind of jog-- which looked like each foot wouldn’t quite pick up until the last second.  Hayden and I looked at each other and smiled.  What a kid.

By the end of the game he was running fluidly. My guess is that not a soul could have known what a struggle it was for him to be there.  He successfully bunted twice, and solidly fielded his positions of 3^rd base and shortstop.  My trained mother’s eyes noticed he walked and ran on his toes most of the game.

In baseball the bunt is often characterized by the batter turning his body toward the pitcher and sliding one hand up the barrel of the bat to help steady it. This is called "squaring up." In other words, it really is when the batter turns toward the opposition and says, “Bring it on.”

“Squaring up” also seems to be a skill for cancer patients. I know with Jace, he has accepted the concept that he has to look his treatments in the face, and steady himself for the onslaught of the battle. We see that often actually…and we definitely saw it Saturday.:) 

Thank you for your sweet comments.

Love you all.

We can do this.