By Sarah Stephens
The Journal 

Lind boy overcomes challenge returning to gridiron

 

Last updated 10/26/2021 at 8:11am

Nicholas Labes

LIND – Like other 16-year-old boys, Lind-Ritzville High School junior Nicholas Labes likes to hunt, play sports and hang out with friends.

But due to a mysterious blood clot in his leg, being a normal teenager has been a challenge over the last year.

Nick is back on the football field after a year of health issues that took him off the gridiron as a sophomore.

"The first day of football practice last year, Nick came home complaining about pain behind his left knee," his mother, Karissa Labes, said.

After a few days of pain, she took him to the doctor because he was unable to walk due to the pain.

The doctor diagnosed Nick with a deep-vein thrombosis of unknown origin and suggested anti-coagulant injections twice daily, she said, noting Nick was told to refrain from school sports.

The doctor said that due to the blood thinning injections, Nick faced extreme risk had he experienced an injury, she said.

Nick's parents, Labes and Adam Labes, have also had to take him to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital monthly for blood work and ultrasounds.

Daily injections soon became an everyday way of life for Nick.

The family, too, made adjustments.

In one instance, family members gave Nick injections on an airplane during a family trip to Las Vegas.

His mother said he was devastated and heartbroken that he could not be on the field and be 100% active with his team last year.

Even though he couldn't play, he attended every practice and game.

"Although his friends were out playing the game, he had to stand on the sidelines," his mother said. "He was dedicated to his team for the love of football."

Six months after treatments began, Nick learned he could play basketball, again, because it was a consider a non-contact sport with less risk of injury.

Nick had an ultrasound after six months of treatment and although the clot is still there, it was much smaller and covered in scar tissue.

Fast forward another six months and Nick got the approval to play football, as well. Labes even scored a touchdown at the Lind-Ritzville game against Liberty (Spangle) last month.

"It was heart-wrenching," his mother said. "It makes me tear up thinking about it."

She said Nick has played every game with the utmost dedication and is relieved to be back on the field with his teammates.

Labes offered the following advice to parents facing similar challenges:

"Hang in there and have your kids lean on their friends and family for support."

– Reporter Sarah can be reached at [email protected].

 

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