We received a call on Friday this past week that they are going to move his surgery to Wednesday for stitch removal so the orthopaedic team can also be there to do remove dead skin on his heel and attach a wound vac. This is good to combine the two, so we only have one more time of being under anesthesia. However, it means a few more uncomfortable days with the stitches in.
He is getting along pretty good...something I said about making his arms strong must have motivated him to want to try the walker more, because he has been trying to get along more with it. And today he told me of ways he can "move himself" from place to place, including crawling and hanging on to furniture. This is good in that it shows he has some motivation to get going again, which he has been kind of lacking of late. We aren't as worried about a fall now because his stitches on the bottom are past popping open being a concern and the doctor said his foot bones are healing really well.
We celebrated Korrin's high school graduation yesterday, which was a great day. It was hard for him to be an observer and not a participant like usual...but he did find some alternative activities, like coloring. And he did go outside several times and seemed to enjoy at least watching.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Doctor Visit
Back from the orthopaedic doctor. All they did today was change the dressing on his foot and look at the skin on his heel. The good news is the bones look good and are healing nicely. The bad news is the skin will require more help to heal, meaning they will apply a wound vac to the skin on the heel for the next few days to a week, to promote healing.
So on Monday when he is having his stitches on the bottom removed, they will also have a team in to remove the dead skin (which is kind of like a large scab) on the foot, remove all the stitches and apply the wound vac. I'm not sure how the "portable" wound vac works...at the hospital, you had to be "plugged in" to e...lectricity for the vacuum part of the wound care to work.
Maybe portable ones are battery operated... We will find out. At any rate, it's a few more trips to Columbus next week. I am grateful all the painful parts will be under anesthetic.
We were in the parking lot and had someone come by and notice J's foot. He asked him how he injured it...when I told him it was being run over by a lawn mower, he shared with me that a friend of his was run over and only lived 3 months. It's a blessing to know our little guy WILL be well and WILL have a full recovery. God has been so merciful. Josiah is happy in spite of it all and adapting well to his limitations.
We are busy getting ready for Korrin's graduation party Saturday. It will be a fun day for us all knowing the progress Josiah has made and that we will ALL be here to celebrate. Come by and join us anytime in the afternoon!
So on Monday when he is having his stitches on the bottom removed, they will also have a team in to remove the dead skin (which is kind of like a large scab) on the foot, remove all the stitches and apply the wound vac. I'm not sure how the "portable" wound vac works...at the hospital, you had to be "plugged in" to e...lectricity for the vacuum part of the wound care to work.
Maybe portable ones are battery operated... We will find out. At any rate, it's a few more trips to Columbus next week. I am grateful all the painful parts will be under anesthetic.
We were in the parking lot and had someone come by and notice J's foot. He asked him how he injured it...when I told him it was being run over by a lawn mower, he shared with me that a friend of his was run over and only lived 3 months. It's a blessing to know our little guy WILL be well and WILL have a full recovery. God has been so merciful. Josiah is happy in spite of it all and adapting well to his limitations.
We are busy getting ready for Korrin's graduation party Saturday. It will be a fun day for us all knowing the progress Josiah has made and that we will ALL be here to celebrate. Come by and join us anytime in the afternoon!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 15...18 days.
A good last few days...we're in a bit of a routine, though carrying him up and down the stairs and to the bathroom is anything but. His stitches don't seem to pain him and when I asked the dr. about some of them "growing over" with skin, he isn't concerned, b/c they will be removed under anesthesia.
Also, he reassured me the mephalex (sp?) sponge on his burn on his leg will be changed on Thursday and not to be concerned. So, that is good news. He told me today that he liked his wheelchair (isn't that a switch) and that he didn't remember asking me in the hospital when he would be a "normal boy". Praise God for short term memory loss.
Though his dad and I and others will carry memories for a long, long time, God has blessed him to not remember a lot. We have continued to receive the blessings of caring friends' visits, food and cards. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received.
Also, he reassured me the mephalex (sp?) sponge on his burn on his leg will be changed on Thursday and not to be concerned. So, that is good news. He told me today that he liked his wheelchair (isn't that a switch) and that he didn't remember asking me in the hospital when he would be a "normal boy". Praise God for short term memory loss.
Though his dad and I and others will carry memories for a long, long time, God has blessed him to not remember a lot. We have continued to receive the blessings of caring friends' visits, food and cards. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday
Josiah attended church today! We carried him from the van to the nursery and then back out...he sat in a chair on a pillow. He got more comfortable with the wheelchair by the end of the day. A friend up the road came and brought a ramp for our steps, so getting him in and out is much easier.
We are all sleeping better in our own beds. He has more appetite today and enjoyed some cinnamon toast crunch, and canteloupe, gifts from friends (he ate other good food too)! He seems more like himself today. Going to church was a "hump" we got over I think...like now that he's been out, going out other places will be easier.
It's wonderful to see him relax and be at ease...I think he doesn't know how to handle so much attention that he gets sometimes when people are inquiring after him. Maybe he is a little TOO relaxed :) but I am still grateful everyday, for his life and increased strength and mobility.
We do have the appointment on Thursday in Columbus, but we are also planning for Korrin's re-scheduled graduation party on Saturday the 19th from 12-5 p.m. I have several friends helping out and Steve's mom will be here, so we should be able to get it all together. I am glad we waited so we can all enjoy her day.
We are all sleeping better in our own beds. He has more appetite today and enjoyed some cinnamon toast crunch, and canteloupe, gifts from friends (he ate other good food too)! He seems more like himself today. Going to church was a "hump" we got over I think...like now that he's been out, going out other places will be easier.
It's wonderful to see him relax and be at ease...I think he doesn't know how to handle so much attention that he gets sometimes when people are inquiring after him. Maybe he is a little TOO relaxed :) but I am still grateful everyday, for his life and increased strength and mobility.
We do have the appointment on Thursday in Columbus, but we are also planning for Korrin's re-scheduled graduation party on Saturday the 19th from 12-5 p.m. I have several friends helping out and Steve's mom will be here, so we should be able to get it all together. I am glad we waited so we can all enjoy her day.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
4th day Home
The wheelchair did arrive, so we now have the two options of transporting Joisah around: the walker, which he is still a bit unstable with and the wheelchair. He didn't like the idea of the wheelchair AT ALL the first day an had to be kind of pushed in to it (not literally of course :) ). Now, he has caught on to the benefits of being able to self propel. It is a very smooth and easy to maneuver chair. He has been sleeping in his own bed the last few nights and that has been better for him and me to get better rest. Last night, he slept all the way through and didn't wake up at all.
He doesn't complain too much of pain, but moving him still requires very careful and precise movements. His stitches bother him a lot, mostly itching. Moist heat seems to help. I have to carry him a lot of places still and moving him in and out of the wheelchair is needed, which is definitely strengthening my upper body.
Can't remember if I wrote this already, but the orthopaedic appointment is the 17th to change the dressing on the foot and look at the skin on his heel. They will tell us then what the next move is. He is also scheduled on the 21st to have the sutures taken out. He will be under anesthesia for this and will likely have a lot of pain and discomfort after since they are staying in so long. They decided to leave them in longer b/c as the surgeon told me, his skin wants to go back where it was, so if we take them out any sooner, it could "pop back open" but some of the skin looks like it has already grown over the stitches....
He has a lot of fear of being "seen" by anyone for some reason. He usually covers his head...he did this a lot in the hospital, so I don't know if we will be outside much ...maybe after the stitches are out he will get more comfortable. Because of that anxiety, I'm not sure he's up to much company. He and Micah play a lot, which is a huge blessing. He loves Micah unconditionally and wholeheartedly.
Steve is still struggling with his own thoughts and all that he went through in the rescue process. Pray for him, for peace and restful nights. He is carrying a heavy load that I'm not sure he's been able to let go of for too long.
I am feeling more rested every day and have had some wonderful help from my mother and mother -in-law, friends and neighbors bringing food and gifts for Josiah to help entertain him. We have felt supported in prayer by so many of you - thank you.
He doesn't complain too much of pain, but moving him still requires very careful and precise movements. His stitches bother him a lot, mostly itching. Moist heat seems to help. I have to carry him a lot of places still and moving him in and out of the wheelchair is needed, which is definitely strengthening my upper body.
Can't remember if I wrote this already, but the orthopaedic appointment is the 17th to change the dressing on the foot and look at the skin on his heel. They will tell us then what the next move is. He is also scheduled on the 21st to have the sutures taken out. He will be under anesthesia for this and will likely have a lot of pain and discomfort after since they are staying in so long. They decided to leave them in longer b/c as the surgeon told me, his skin wants to go back where it was, so if we take them out any sooner, it could "pop back open" but some of the skin looks like it has already grown over the stitches....
He has a lot of fear of being "seen" by anyone for some reason. He usually covers his head...he did this a lot in the hospital, so I don't know if we will be outside much ...maybe after the stitches are out he will get more comfortable. Because of that anxiety, I'm not sure he's up to much company. He and Micah play a lot, which is a huge blessing. He loves Micah unconditionally and wholeheartedly.
Steve is still struggling with his own thoughts and all that he went through in the rescue process. Pray for him, for peace and restful nights. He is carrying a heavy load that I'm not sure he's been able to let go of for too long.
I am feeling more rested every day and have had some wonderful help from my mother and mother -in-law, friends and neighbors bringing food and gifts for Josiah to help entertain him. We have felt supported in prayer by so many of you - thank you.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Home!
Well our first night in our own home was great...Josiah is set up in Clay's room which is on the first floor. He has a walker for personal transportation and they are bringing a wheelchair sometime today. His foot is completely non-weight bearing, so that's the big issue. His bottom actually doesn't seem to be bothering him too much.
We go back to the orthopaedic doc on the 17th to look at his heel. The skin there doesn't look good on the back of his heel (I saw it). They may need to remove it but are still hopeful it will heal on it's own and the dead skin will "fall off".
They are delivering a wheelchair today, a neighbor is bringing a ramp so it will be easier to get him in and out. He's doing quite well actually, not in much pain as far as I can tell. They are concerned about him being "weaned" off the stronger meds he's been on in the hospital and we've been trying to fill a persc...ription they gave us...but so far, he's not having any probs.
I feel like I've been run over myself...all the stress just catches up to you I guess. I slept in Clay's room (which is where Josiah is sleeping on the 1st floor) on some cushions to make sure how his first night went. He didn't actually fully wake up, but he did cry out several times and I had to hold his hand a little bit. He drifted off without any intervention. He's probably just used to being woken by the nurses every 2-4 hours...his body is on auto pilot (ha).
My mom is here for a few days and Steve's mom just left...I think she will be back when mine goes home, so someone else is running the house enabling me to just tend him and catch up. Our town and friends and church family has been wonderful, so supportive, so "there for us". I know the Lord is hearing us and giving us His strength for all we need to and have faced.
My mother in law did all my laundry :) and the girls are running errands and helping to keep the place running, so I am truly blessed.
Thanks for praying. Our current request is on-going for no infection...and specifically about the heel that the dead skin will fall off on its own and new skin will take its place and we can avoid a graft....
We go back to the orthopaedic doc on the 17th to look at his heel. The skin there doesn't look good on the back of his heel (I saw it). They may need to remove it but are still hopeful it will heal on it's own and the dead skin will "fall off".
They are delivering a wheelchair today, a neighbor is bringing a ramp so it will be easier to get him in and out. He's doing quite well actually, not in much pain as far as I can tell. They are concerned about him being "weaned" off the stronger meds he's been on in the hospital and we've been trying to fill a persc...ription they gave us...but so far, he's not having any probs.
I feel like I've been run over myself...all the stress just catches up to you I guess. I slept in Clay's room (which is where Josiah is sleeping on the 1st floor) on some cushions to make sure how his first night went. He didn't actually fully wake up, but he did cry out several times and I had to hold his hand a little bit. He drifted off without any intervention. He's probably just used to being woken by the nurses every 2-4 hours...his body is on auto pilot (ha).
My mom is here for a few days and Steve's mom just left...I think she will be back when mine goes home, so someone else is running the house enabling me to just tend him and catch up. Our town and friends and church family has been wonderful, so supportive, so "there for us". I know the Lord is hearing us and giving us His strength for all we need to and have faced.
My mother in law did all my laundry :) and the girls are running errands and helping to keep the place running, so I am truly blessed.
Thanks for praying. Our current request is on-going for no infection...and specifically about the heel that the dead skin will fall off on its own and new skin will take its place and we can avoid a graft....
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 10
Josiah had a comfortable night overall, but his pain level is still higher - he is using his pain button a lot. His little backside looks like a railroad docking station....I'll have to ask someone how many stitches.
The Orthopaedic doc says they will see him in a week after we go home to take a look at the skin on his heel. If it is infected, it will have to be removed. If not, they will leave it alone, trusting the body to fix the skin itself. They also want to get him up with a walker today...not sure how he will tolerate that with the increased pain in his bottom.
Maybe he will be allowed to eat today. The Trauma doc said 24 hrs. possibly.
Mom didn't sleep too good; noisy interruptions at 11, 12:30, 4:30, 6:00, 6:10, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:40!!!
Continue to pray about no infection, the skin on his heel to heal itself so we won't need skin grafting or another procedure (removing dead skin) in a week. If we go home tomorrow (Trauma doc is still saying this), we will be back to Columbus in a week for the Ortho and 2 weeks to have the stitches out...so unfortunately this won't be our last visit.
I have seen the buttocks wound now several times. It doesn't look to me like he will need plastic surgery. His contour looks pretty good. Maybe a little smaller on that side, but not so awful bad. We'll see...at any rate, that problem is down the road to face if necessary.
My parents are coming to visit today.
My verse for today..."love covers a multitude of sins." :)
The Orthopaedic doc says they will see him in a week after we go home to take a look at the skin on his heel. If it is infected, it will have to be removed. If not, they will leave it alone, trusting the body to fix the skin itself. They also want to get him up with a walker today...not sure how he will tolerate that with the increased pain in his bottom.
Maybe he will be allowed to eat today. The Trauma doc said 24 hrs. possibly.
Mom didn't sleep too good; noisy interruptions at 11, 12:30, 4:30, 6:00, 6:10, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:40!!!
Continue to pray about no infection, the skin on his heel to heal itself so we won't need skin grafting or another procedure (removing dead skin) in a week. If we go home tomorrow (Trauma doc is still saying this), we will be back to Columbus in a week for the Ortho and 2 weeks to have the stitches out...so unfortunately this won't be our last visit.
I have seen the buttocks wound now several times. It doesn't look to me like he will need plastic surgery. His contour looks pretty good. Maybe a little smaller on that side, but not so awful bad. We'll see...at any rate, that problem is down the road to face if necessary.
My parents are coming to visit today.
My verse for today..."love covers a multitude of sins." :)
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