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.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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
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
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Dressing Change #2
Josiah went to the dressing change on Monday - I actually feel like wound closure is finally in our sights! I wanted to write down the measurements but didn't...Anyway, it's made a huge improvement over a week ago. One very small place has skin over all of it. At the way it is going, I'd say it might be two weeks or... less before the skin might be covering it.
The other piece of good news is that I called the doc the next day to ask if he could at least put his foot down without the boot when getting dressed or going to the bathroom - amazingly Josiah has been VERY disciplined about this. He said not only yes, but around the house, he could walk on the foot!
When I first told him he could, he said it hurt too much...but it wasn't 15 minutes later that he walked up to me without the boot! The wound care nurse also gave me some dressing to put over the sponge if we wanted to dry swimming! But, Josiah thinks it looks too much like the wound vac plastic and he is too fearful, so maybe that will have to wait for complete healing of the skin.
This was a good visit..I am so grateful.
The other piece of good news is that I called the doc the next day to ask if he could at least put his foot down without the boot when getting dressed or going to the bathroom - amazingly Josiah has been VERY disciplined about this. He said not only yes, but around the house, he could walk on the foot!
When I first told him he could, he said it hurt too much...but it wasn't 15 minutes later that he walked up to me without the boot! The wound care nurse also gave me some dressing to put over the sponge if we wanted to dry swimming! But, Josiah thinks it looks too much like the wound vac plastic and he is too fearful, so maybe that will have to wait for complete healing of the skin.
This was a good visit..I am so grateful.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Weekly Dressing Change Report
We had Josiah's weekly dressing change Monday. It was uneventful I guess. The removed the mephalax grey sponge, cleaned and measured the wound, then put it back on plus all the other layers. It is still largely an open wound...I didn't catch how wide it was, but at least 5-6 inches at the widest point I'd say.
This is a slow process with lots of waiting. But, the walking boot allows him to be very mobile and that is nice for everyone. He had a hard time at a family get-together this week not being able to swim in the back yard pool, but otherwise he is handling things pretty well, adjusting easily to his restrictions.
He has occasional pain after walking or being on the leg too long and we are still doing daily dressing changes at home, down to the sponge but not removing it.
Life feels more normal than it has in a while...we are all settling into our routines of living life with "our" (Josiah's) restrictions. Steve is in a very busy phase with the part time job he has, so we have all been kind of scattered. Korrin is down to just a little over a month until she leaves for college 39 days to be exact, but who's counting :)_
Thanks for praying.
This is a slow process with lots of waiting. But, the walking boot allows him to be very mobile and that is nice for everyone. He had a hard time at a family get-together this week not being able to swim in the back yard pool, but otherwise he is handling things pretty well, adjusting easily to his restrictions.
He has occasional pain after walking or being on the leg too long and we are still doing daily dressing changes at home, down to the sponge but not removing it.
Life feels more normal than it has in a while...we are all settling into our routines of living life with "our" (Josiah's) restrictions. Steve is in a very busy phase with the part time job he has, so we have all been kind of scattered. Korrin is down to just a little over a month until she leaves for college 39 days to be exact, but who's counting :)_
Thanks for praying.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
NO MORE WOUND VAC!!!
Josiah is free! Wahoo! No wound vac, no cords. He has a mephalax sponge (which they use for burns) on his heel, then white dressing, a white wrap, an ace bandage and finally a walking boot, with 6 velcro sponges.
The doc said he was hoping the wound was more closed than it is. And we are looking at 6-8 weeks of weekly changes and pictures which will be forwarded to the him. Still no getting it wet and all his walking has to be with the boot. But, it is GREAT progress.
The boot is to keep his foot from flexing for the sake of the healing skin. The white dressing has to be examined and changed maybe every other day (by me), then we will go weekly to the local wound care center to have the mephalax changed and photographed.
We went miniature golfing last night (something he REALLY has wanted to do) and down to the Sandusky River which flows right near our house so he could throw rocks! It was a big moment, more for me than him, I think...feeling like he was doing "normal" kid stuff, for the first time in months. It certainly gives me a lot of empathy for those who have permanent injuries or handicaps that they will never heal from. That could have been us, except for God's mercy.
I am so grateful, even looking at the lengthy road we still must travel.
The doc said he was hoping the wound was more closed than it is. And we are looking at 6-8 weeks of weekly changes and pictures which will be forwarded to the him. Still no getting it wet and all his walking has to be with the boot. But, it is GREAT progress.
The boot is to keep his foot from flexing for the sake of the healing skin. The white dressing has to be examined and changed maybe every other day (by me), then we will go weekly to the local wound care center to have the mephalax changed and photographed.
We went miniature golfing last night (something he REALLY has wanted to do) and down to the Sandusky River which flows right near our house so he could throw rocks! It was a big moment, more for me than him, I think...feeling like he was doing "normal" kid stuff, for the first time in months. It certainly gives me a lot of empathy for those who have permanent injuries or handicaps that they will never heal from. That could have been us, except for God's mercy.
I am so grateful, even looking at the lengthy road we still must travel.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday Dressing Change
Josiah had his dressing change on Tuesday this week...it didn't go quite as well as last time, as he spit out some of the medicine they tried to give. But Steve was with me and we got through it together, both of us hand-holding and trying to comfort him. His biggest issue is still anxiety I think. You can still see the tendon, but only a very tiny place. Everyone seems pleased with the way the wound looks...me, I don't know. It still has no skin covering it. Great patience and trust in the Lord's process is all we can exercise at this point. He has made an amazing body in all of us...and it's given me new appreciation for what a unique Designer He is.
We see the doctor on Monday where I will be asking questions about what our goal is with the wound...as in are we preparing it for a graft, or will it grow new skin over top of what's there. The nurses tell me it's forming granulation tissue, but it is still a pretty large wound. The doctor has never said the words "graft" to me...so maybe it's still a wait and see game. I know many of the decisions depend on how Josiah's body responds.
He was given the go to put weight on the foot, so he has been walk-hopping a little bit. He seems pleased to be in charge of his own movement some. The cast on the back of the leg keeps him from bending the foot, so he can't hurt the healing skin. He carrys the wound vac around with him - it's amazing how well he has adapted to all of the restraints they've put him under.
A great praise - while they had his dressing off, he bent his foot completely up and down, which means the tendon is working and he shouldn't have any problem with movement!!!
Another praise, my eldest daughter, Korrin turned 18 yesterday! We had a nice time buying her clothes for college, eating out at a nice restaurant and eating strawberry pie (one of her favorites). Children are indeed a blessing from the Lord - at ALL stages.
We see the doctor on Monday where I will be asking questions about what our goal is with the wound...as in are we preparing it for a graft, or will it grow new skin over top of what's there. The nurses tell me it's forming granulation tissue, but it is still a pretty large wound. The doctor has never said the words "graft" to me...so maybe it's still a wait and see game. I know many of the decisions depend on how Josiah's body responds.
He was given the go to put weight on the foot, so he has been walk-hopping a little bit. He seems pleased to be in charge of his own movement some. The cast on the back of the leg keeps him from bending the foot, so he can't hurt the healing skin. He carrys the wound vac around with him - it's amazing how well he has adapted to all of the restraints they've put him under.
A great praise - while they had his dressing off, he bent his foot completely up and down, which means the tendon is working and he shouldn't have any problem with movement!!!
Another praise, my eldest daughter, Korrin turned 18 yesterday! We had a nice time buying her clothes for college, eating out at a nice restaurant and eating strawberry pie (one of her favorites). Children are indeed a blessing from the Lord - at ALL stages.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Long term thoughts
Well, it's been good since the last dressing change...sleeping good, etc. He still doesn't have much appetite overall, probably pretty normal for a 5 year old. I've noticed lately that he seems very uncomfortable sitting on the left side of his bottom. It's very uneven and his skin is very tight there.
This is concerning to me as this was the surgeon who did the very first stitching's concern. She felt this would be a long term issue for him and thus he would need plastic surgery to even him out. The surgeon who took over after she left the country for a visit somewhere, felt it wasn't a long term concern that the body would redeposit fat. I can't imagine him depositing enough fat there to make him comfortable. So, maybe we have to look into some kind of customized "donut" for him to sit on... He also doesn't like to sit up for a long periods of time...I'm sure for the same reasons. He said yesterday it feels "strange".
This is concerning to me as this was the surgeon who did the very first stitching's concern. She felt this would be a long term issue for him and thus he would need plastic surgery to even him out. The surgeon who took over after she left the country for a visit somewhere, felt it wasn't a long term concern that the body would redeposit fat. I can't imagine him depositing enough fat there to make him comfortable. So, maybe we have to look into some kind of customized "donut" for him to sit on... He also doesn't like to sit up for a long periods of time...I'm sure for the same reasons. He said yesterday it feels "strange".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)