Bubbles Up - Jimmy Buffett

 I have a book to write about my life with Jimmy Buffett's music - and all that has included.  But for now I wanted to get this published because I couldn't find the lyrics anywhere and I wanted to capture this today as a forever reminder of this Labor Day weekend - the one that will live on and be remembered forever by all us parrotheads.  My eyes are swollen from crying all weekend and I've only slept a little, so forgive any mistakes.  Love you all!

                                          Bubbles Up - by Jimmy Buffett 

when this world starts a reelin’

from that pressure drop feeling

we're just treading water each day

there's a way to feel better

be well set to weather

the storms till the sun shines again

when your compass is spinning

and you're lost on the way

like a leaf in the wind

friend,  hear me when I say

bubbles up

they will point you towards home

no matter how deep or how far you roam

they will show you the surface

the plot and the purpose

so when the journey gets long

just know that you are loved

there is light up above

and the joy is always enough

bubbles up

to my friends who are jolly

when melancholy knocks

sometimes, they let her in

to sit and share stories

of flops and of glories

it ain't half as bad as the bends

sometimes living’s a struggle

multiplied double

but they love it too much

for the party to end

bubbles up

they will point you towards home

no matter how deep or how far you roam

they will show you the surface

the plot and the purpose

so when the journey gets long

just know that you are loved

there's light up above

and joy, there’s always enough

bubbles up

let's pop a cork

to the rough and the right

to the bright place and days

and the sweet starry nights

bubbles up

they will point us towards home

no matter how deep or how far we roam

they will show you the surface

the plot and the purpose

so when the journey gets long

just know that you are loved

there's light up above

and joy, there's always enough

bubbles up

bubbles up

bubbles up  

                                                   

Transcribed by Janine Jacoby

@ninasaphina 9/3/2023

 

 

Roller Coaster!

Ray completed his short jaunt in Cape Girardeau this summer on a high note, having a couple great albeit short outings.  While there, however, he did experience more discomfort and the feeling of instability in his shoulder.  He saw a ortho doc there that diagnosed scapular dyskinesis - in essence, his scapula had lost strength and looked to be slightly displaced.  Ray focused on strengthening that area and saw pretty good improvement in a short time.  

Following last spring, Ray was cut from Mizzou (a mutual decision, in all honesty, not that there was a choice) and Ray set about finding a program where he could contribute and recover.  He had one firm criteria:  "I want to play for a Coach that I can have a relationship with, one with real communication."  That element was completely lacking in High School and at Mizzou.  He also wanted to go south where the weather allows for more play time.  Ray called a couple coaches, and one referred St. John's River State College.  Ray contacted Coach Ross Jones there and was encouraged by just about everything about him.  Coach Jones is a former MLB'er who had two labrum surgeries - he definitely knows what Ray is going through.  So Ray is currently in Palatka, Florida, taking classes and in their baseball program.  We both love Coach Jones, he's old school and a hard ass - but Ray is used to being coached that way so there was immediate good rapport. 

The ups and downs from the recovery perspective have been continuous.  There appears to be instability, but not during pitching.  In bullpens, Ray is throwing high 80's (maybe touched 90) and his off speed pitches are really coming along well.  There were new issues with forearm tightness and what appeared to be ulnar nerve sensitivity around his elbow.  Those are now getting better - maybe just part of the recovery and getting back to throwing so much again.  

I think besides the actual success of the surgery - it all comes down to patience.  Ray started throwing a baseball literally when he was four years old.  Through all the later years there was a cadence to throwing - return in January from a month or two off, slowly increase to pitching in season\summer\fall ball, rest for a month - each subsequent year there was an escalation in velocity, number of pitches, arm mechanics, etc.  Having that cadence disrupted for over a year (even without surgery) may not seem like a big deal - but it is, maybe more for some than others. 

So, all that said - things at this point, as of today, are looking good.  Ray hasn't been able to pass a strength test for his shoulder, which mystifies him because the muscle build up in and around his shoulder is obvious (he's worked hard on that).  Dr. Smith had indicated his goal with the repair was to not overtighten the joint, it had to be kept loose to restore full pitching potential.  So we're wondering if the feeling of instability and the "strength test" issue will just be part of it all now; I guess we'll see.

It truly has been an emotional roller coaster, though, so many setbacks... and comebacks.  We've come to grips with the possibility that Ray might be in the 50% of pitchers that can't recover from this surgery - but he's not giving up!  This Friday he'll start a game for the first time since high school (when we knew his shoulder wasn't right, but didn't know he had a torn labrum!):   Hickman High School baseball shuts out rival Rock Bridge (columbiatribune.com)   He certainly won't be throwing anywhere near a full game, but I literally cannot wait to see whatever he does!

Finally

One year, one month, one week, and one day had passed since Ray last took the mound - the clock officially starts over!  He pitched in a game for the first time last week.  It wasn't a stellar outing, but it was pretty good!  He kept his pitch count to 30 (his choice), had some great off speed stuff, sat 85-86 mph with his FB and topped 87!  We'll definitely take it.  He was topping low 90's prior to his injury and he's a lot stronger now.  Coming in at 87 I feel he'll be back and even better before too long!  He had some usual soreness for a few days post, but no soreness or issues in his shoulder.  Halleluiah!  

He left for Cape Girardeau yesterday to play with the Catfish in the Prospects League:  Prospect League Baseball  I can't wait to see what comes next, it's been such a long road!  Stay tuned and keep the hope alive! The baseball dream lives on... :)

Coming Back!

As of today, Jan. 29, Ray is doing great.  He progressed through the long toss exercises beginning mid-November following the car accident, and took the mound for the first time last week (Jan. 24).  He threw that Monday and warmed up to 85 mph fastball, great curve ball, working on his changeup (this is challenging him the most) and slider.  Surprisingly, he felt good enough to throw from the mound again that Thursday, and was at 86.4 with his fastball.  And the best news ever - no shoulder pain!  He had arm fatigue after just 14 or so pitches, but that's to be expected at this point.  He hasn't thrown from the mound since May, 2021 (when his high school coach put him in knowing he had a torn labrum).  So, over eight months since throwing with a healthy arm.  We are super stoked about where he is now and believe things will get better every day!  Thank you, Father! 

Car Accident (September 16, 2021)

Ray was progressing well.  Mizzou had started him throwing at 30 ft. and the plan was to progress to 180 ft., and then he'd go to the mound.  He had gotten to about 150 ft..  On Sept. 16, a car pulled out in front of Ray in a 45 mph zone, and Ray t-boned the vehicle.  The force of the impact re-injured Ray's shoulder, and another MRI was ordered.  Thankfully, the repair appeared to remain in tact - but it was back to square one with rehab and throwing.  It was such a discouraging accident, tears were shed by Ray and me both! :(

Ray returned to throwing (30 ft.) mid-November.  He has done a tremendous job building up the strength in his lower body, and this has really helped keep him in shape and speed his throwing recovery (less strain on the shoulder, as Dr. Smith indicated).

Ahead of Schedule! (August 15, 2021)

Ray's recovery is going well.  He's been in PT three times a week and had his follow up with Dr. Smith this week, just shy of eight weeks post-surgery.  Dr. Smith was surprised at Ray's strength and mobility - he's ahead of the recovery curve already!  Eight weeks to go - return to throwing in eight weeks.  Ray is super stoked and feels ready   Woohoo! 

Whiplash - Mizzou, not Mizzou, Florida, not Florida, Mizzou...

 I haven't posted since Ray's surgery because it has been rather uneventful.  Ray had his follow-up with Dr. Smith on June 21, and the doctor was very hopeful of complete recovery.  We reviewed the surgical procedure on film and how the sutures were placed to re-form the posterior "bumper" - Dr. Smith was quite proud of his work, which made me happy.  

Regarding the recovery so far, it's been a little too easy.  Ray had pretty strict orders to wear the sling 24 x 7 - it was to be removed every hour to do "pendulum" exercises.  Ray was unable to sleep in the sling and ditched it pretty early on at night.  He made it maybe a couple weeks wearing it steady and then gave it up despite my admonishments.  He has not been in any pain (which ironically is part of the problem) and while he isn't moving it in any drastic directions, he is moving it more than recommended.  I gave up harping on him.  Tomorrow he starts physical therapy and I'm sure the therapist will be a little surprised by his current mobility.

The biggest event this week was with Northwest Florida State College.  Mizzou rescinded Ray's scholarship offer earlier this year because they had too many guys on the roster and not enough scholarship money (impact of new Covid rules).  They still wanted him, but no scholarship money - and we took a hard pass on that.  We emailed the top 10 junior colleges (Iowa Western, San Jac, Northwest Florida State (NWFS), and I can't remember the rest now) and several replied with interest.  Iowa Western was ranked number one and they made Ray a great offer.  But if he was taking the JUCO route, he wanted to go somewhere warm which meant south.  So we visited NWFS and were wow'd by their facilities, coaches, and overall regimen.  We were super excited and Ray committed to them on that trip.   

Then, yesterday, Coach Martin called us and said he didn't think Ray should show up this year because he wouldn't be 100%.  I really like Coach Martin, I had researched him prior to emailing them - I just wish I would have called him instead of the assistant coach when we knew Ray needed surgery.  The assistant coach had said all would be well, that Ray was just going to have to work extra hard (I had even asked him about PT and rehab, because Ray would still need it down there).  Coach Martin said it was a tough call to make but with a two-year program he has to have guys 100% ready by the season - and that was not going to be the case with Ray.  Ray won't return to throwing until November, and the juco season starts in February.  Their program is military like, I was so impressed.  I understood, I just wish the message would have been delivered before I signed a lease and paid a deposit!  Coach Martin helped resolve that, so all is well, but Ray is no longer Florida bound.  Coach Martin also said he'd love to have Ray next year if all goes well.

I hung up from Coach Martin wondering what the hell I was going to do with this kid for a year - and texted Coach Bieser at Mizzou.  The text said something along the lines that Ray had a posterior, not SLAP, lubrum repair by Dr. Smith (who happens to be the Mizzou ortho doc).  The prognosis is good, but Ray won't be ready by spring.  I asked Coach Bieser if there were any opportunities at Mizzou for Ray to stay mentally and physically engaged in baseball to the level he's capable, and not lose a year of eligibility - and Coach Bieser replied asking if he could call me.  He called a little later and said he had always planned on getting Ray back, his roster was just too packed this year - and yes, he will get Ray good rehab at Mizzou and get him all the attention he can while maintaining his eligibility.  It was a good call and I really appreciated it!  The Mizzou baseball program has been struggling but they hired a new pitching coach that comes highly regarded, so that bodes well for them.  (https://mutigers.com/news/2021/6/10/baseball-mizzou-hires-brian-delunas-to-guide-pitching-staff.aspx)

So the new plan is for Ray to go to Mizzou, participate in their program to the extent of not using any eligibility - and Coach Bieser and I agreed that by the end of next spring we should know Ray's level of recovery and we will all re-evaluate the situation then.  That's not the way I wanted Ray to get a little more time (he's still 17), but at least he has options still and is getting the extra year.  Ray can go back to Florida if the juco route is still the right thing to do, or by then - if he does fully recover - maybe there will be other options on the table.  Only time will tell!  I'm really proud of how Ray is handling all this - he keeps getting knocked down and the kid really doesn't deserve it.  He stays positive for the most part and is ready to get to work!  

He Blew It Up

Surgery with Dr. Smith was yesterday.  He visited with us beforehand, going over what we had discussed before.  Ray received a nerve block before being taken back, and I was dismissed to the waiting room.

An hour and a half in, I knew the repair was needed and was likely on the challenging side.  An hour and 45 minutes in, my buzzer went off, and I was taken to a room to wait for Dr. Smith.  He came in and said, "Well, mom, he blew it up."  He made a kind of explosion sound and gave the appropriate motion with his hands.  Showing me the pics he explained the biceps was good, the rotator cuff was good, the anterior labrum was good - then the area that was "exploded", "a big huge piece, explosion".  I marveled to myself at how that could be fixed (using the only analogy I could think of - trying to hem frayed cut off shorts, lol) - then said out loud, "What do you do with that?"  Dr. Smith replied with a sigh, "Yeah, I know.... it came out pretty damn good."  😂  Yes, sir... that's what I want to hear!  He explained he smoothed it off a little bit, took a little of it off, then smoothed it back down to kind of fill the hole.  He put these little anchors in the bone, and placed two sutures through the labrum to the anchors.  Now there's continuity of the labrum, restoring the ring and stability.  He called it a radial split, a complicated tear.

I was given a ton of information, but everyone at Columbia Orthopedic Group was really spectacular, and the nurse was very patient with me.  Instructions on which meds when, changing the bandage, bathing, the ice machine, the stim machine, how to put the splint on and placement, what could move (fingers and elbow) and what shouldn't move (shoulder)... mercy.   He has to stay in the "gun slinger" position with wedge in place so he can't internally rotate his shoulder.  

We left, Ray was starving and we stopped for sandwiches to go - he didn't have any nausea or lingering effects of the anesthesia.  Everything went pretty well until early this morning when the nerve block had completely worn off.  He was uncomfortable, stiff from not moving and wearing the wedge splint, and tired from lack of sleep.  In general he was pretty miserable and uncomfortable.  I was attempting not to use the percocet - something Dr. Smith suggested and I agreed with - but it was becoming too much.  So he's been on ketorolac and percocet, and he's is doing a lot better now than this morning.

Tomorrow we remove the bandage and he gets to shower.