Well shoot...
 

OK...I was so looking forward to the season. The two weeks ago I was involved in a serious auto accident. The fractured left wrist will come out of the plaster right about the start of the season. However, I also have a transverse process fractuer of L4 in the back.

I stepped on a treadmill this weekend and just took a leisurely 2 mile walk and the next morning could barely get out off bed. Doctors just say to "use my judgement on what to do...time will heal it." Anyone have (or know of anyone) with experience related to this type of injury? If walking 2 miles two weeks later makes it hurt this bad, how long before I can run full out for a basketball game?

I'm lucky to be breathing, but this is going to get frustrating real fast.

Larry,

I say forget worrying about officiating for the time being. Your health is way too important to jeopardize a full recovery by rushing back into basketball.

If you really need a fix for your jones, talk to your assignors and see if they need any help with the training program(s) for new official or maybe see if you could be an observer for this season.

But, please, don't rush back just for the sake of getting on the court.

Wanna keep the scorebook or run the clock?

Larry, take care of yourself and don't do anything that would keep you from coming back down the road.

Sometimes the human body will amaze you. Last year I broke both of my arms in early November and still worked my whole schedule except 1 mid-Nov game. I will not tell you it was without some discomfort but it was just to hard to give it up.

Good luck to you and I'm glad you're not hurt any worse.

Had a friend/fellow official fall off a roof and suffered a similar injury. The guy was fit, but he had to take the year off. He came back last year on a limited basis (2 nights per week) and has been good to go.

When it comes to a back injury, time is better spent getting as healed as possible because back surgery is down the list for making a full recovery. Most doctors will tell you that your back will never be the same.

Take it easy now, and come back at the right time, don't rush it. Good luck.

Maybe this guy could help you...
 

I'm no doctor, but I have to say that these two pieces of advice sound pretty smart to me. Good luck with the recovery. Get healthy first, then get back out there.

Larrry --

I'm with BNR and Ref Daddy in recommending running the clock, keeping the book, or doing some evaluating or training. You will learn a lot, and be that much further down the road when you are ready to come back. The only consideration would be what you might have to sit on, and whether that would adversely affect your back.