More Trials and Josiah's Report!

What a day! It's Clays' turn - he has a compressed fracture of the T8 vertebrae on the non-spinal cord side, which means he isn't paralyzed or anything. This fracture is common in people with osteoporosis...she said Clay has a growth p...late right at the site of the injury and with all the growth he has done this summer (2-3 inches), he is "weaker" at the site of the fracture.

Everything I am reading says it will heal on its own...she says no jumping, running, any kind of impact. Keeping it in a brace, which forces his shoulders back into excellent posture will give it the "healing" position, 4-6 weeks.

This was also Josiah's day...he saw the doctor who loves how his skin is coming along...he said no more walking boot! And we are down to a very light dressing. We will still go weekly for maybe two more weeks, and pictures before he decides if we are going to leave it open to the air to heal like a normal scab-type wound.

The tendon is "stiff" acting still, meaning Josiah can't roll his foot. The doctor said this should come back on it's own, but maybe months down the road. So, however he can get around now is fine, even if it looks funny. He is wearing crocs since he can't have anything touching back there for discomfort. He gave us the green light for swimming without a cover!

Steve also injured his back...he will heal. It's just the Millers' Summer I guess. Trying hard to figure out what God wants us to learn. The passage I memorized earlier comes to mind... because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us..., because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:3-5). Amen.

Dressing Change #3

The dressing changes are definitely getting easier...much less painful. They are saying there is a thin "film" over the wound now, which is the beginnings of skin I guess. Yea!! So that was good news. They did tell me that he may always have a sensitivity there though, but there was just no way to tell. One of the nurses threw out 6 months before he would be wearing regular shoes without discomfort, so I'm not sure what to make of it all. They don't know, we don't know. Only the Father knows. And all he asks is that we trust, so I am. Trying to imagine what shoe he can wear this winter...maybe crocs?

When we got home, he wanted to run through the sprinkler (first time all summer). It was a big deal as we have to compeltely seal the wound with plastic. He cried as it was going on b/c it reminds him so much of the wound vac dressing (in fact it was the same stuff), but he was so desperate to get wet, that he did it. And it wasn't bad coming off as it was only on his heel and not on the leg where his little hairs get pulled out.

Anyway, as he was running, Steve and I noticed a "funny" way that he walked. When he was done playing, we had him stand with us and try to roll his foot from the heel to the ball, like you would for a normal push off. He couldn't do it. He runs with his heel, kind of like he's flat footed I guess, no roll. We will discuss that with the doctor when we go next Monday to see what our long term prognosis is there. I trust that can be restored with therapy...trying not to borrow trouble right now, but it does concern me :)

Otherwise, if you didn't know it or pay close attention, he looks like most other little boys now...running, jumping, playing. I hugged him hard yesterday and told him how grateful I was that he was here with us. He answered "me too." He smiled and hugged me back and when I asked him if he minded me hugging him, he said "it's okay, mom" and gave me a big smile.

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness." Lam. 3:22-23