Mark is "Lester-less". The external fixator came off today! (Lester is the name he gave it.) He is delighted to say the least. He was an "add-on" in the surgical suite yesterday, but got bumped due to the number of surgeries being done. He was notified late Monday that they wouldn't be doing the procedure yesterday as planned. Today he was also an add-on, so as of last night he could not eat or drink anything after midnight, but he still wasn't sure if it was a go.
Finally late this morning they called and he was taken in. Strangely enough, they never used any anesthetic, not even a local one. He just sat there and they pulled off the rod, pulled the pins out of the tibia and then out of the instep and dressed the little holes that were left behind. He asked the doctor when he could stand on it and the doctor told him as soon as we put the boot on you can stand up along side the table. He told me he was so excited to be standing there "normally" after all these months. With the boot on, he said he was level with his other leg, so they are adapting a new pair of sneakers with a lift between the sole and the bottom of the shoe. They are also going to do that with a pair of cowboy boots for him, so he is delighted.
He is very encouraged that this surgery was all worth it. I am confident that he will continue to do well as it continues to heal. He told me he could move his big toe up and down for the first time as well, but for today, that's all the doctor would let him try. It's amazing how something so small and usually taken for granted, can be so important in the scheme of things.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day!!!
I today finds everyone enjoying good weather and a picnic, barbecue, fireworks or something traditional. Our street is having a block party which should be fun. All of the neighborhood will catch up and visit, the kids will play games, and of course, there will be food. The weather here is finally sunny and mild, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.
Mark and Jess are enjoying a weekend at the Fisher House. Mark was able to have a weekend pass. Yesterday, they enjoyed going out to dinner and a movie with the nurses on duty who were able to transport Mark in their specially equipped van.
Monday, Mark will meet with the anesthesiologist and then on Tuesday, they will take the fixator, "Lester", off Mark's foot. They are going to put him in a boot and will allow some weight bearing during physical therapy. How much they are allowing is currently up in the air. We will just have to see. The boot will probably be on for another six weeks, but should be much more comfortable than the fixator.
Thanks for all your support and just keep praying that all this surgery and temporary immobility will be worth it!