Today was my dad's first trip out of Waterville that wasn't to a hospital:) He had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon whose office just happens to be in Sylvania just down the road from the lab. We joked with the MedCorp driver about taking the scenic route back which would include a drive through the lab parking lot. Ha!
The doctor reports everything on the outside is looking healing very, very nicely, especially the R leg below the knee. That area is being watched closely since it was literally skin & bone, now skin & plate. Dr. X-rayed the R leg, said everything is healing nicely there, took all remaining sutures & staples out as well as the 3 hooks (which were apprx. 5 inches long!) that were in the R heel. My dad is now sporting a black boot on his R foot/ankle to keep it upright. We go back in 5 weeks at which time everything will be X-rayed. If all goes well there is good possibility he will be able to start bearing weight on the L forearm & L leg at that time. Five weeks seems like a long time and I know my dad was hoping it would be more like 3 weeks, but all other news was so positive that we will gladly take the 5 weeks!
He enjoyed the outing and it was a beautiful morning for travel. This afternoon he'll have therapy and by this evening he will probably be wiped out. We are grateful for God's many blessings:)
Kay, I went to see him today. He was in therapy and was working hard but was tired from this morning.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when he told me what they did in the Dr. office. He said they took out stitches, "staples, pins, nails and stakes". I'm sure it felt like that to him.
He was very upbeat but was glad when therapy was over as all he wanted to do was take a nap. He said he is used to having a nap every afternoon after therapy. I am amazed at the difference in movement in both arms and hands plus some movement in his legs. Much improved since last week. Those baby steps are adding up.
By the way he hates the boot but I think it will be his friend soon.
Thanks for the update Aunt Janet! I've been thinking about him all afternoon, wondering how he was after the big outing. I didn't want to call b/c I knew he'd either be in therapy or napping. I hope he got a good nap.
ReplyDeleteHis comment on what happened at the doctor's office is hysterical! Yep, I'll bet it did feel like building equipment they were taking out! BTW Dr. J seemed quite pleased with the recovery & was very pleasant:-) Those baby steps sure are adding up.
I hope the boot will become his friend b/c he may eventually be getting one for the other foot too!
It sounds like everyday he is getting better and stronger.
ReplyDeleteAnd the added weeks might just be those old bones take longer to heal. Whem my mom broke her knee at 73 it was longer but taking it one step at a time and she healed great.
Thanks for the update.
linda from the blog.
Glad he's progressing. Love his attitude and the fact that he has maintained a great sense of humor through all of this.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Thanks for the update. Sounds like he is well on his way to recovery. His attitude is wonderful, which is so helpful during such a difficult time. Yes, those baby steps do add up.
ReplyDeleteCindy
Janet, I'm glad I came on here. I'm so happy to see your dad is doing so well.
ReplyDeleteTL (from our blog)
I'm happy to hear he is making good progress.
ReplyDelete% weeks can seem like an eternity. It did to me when I had to wait 6 weeks to lift more than 10# after heart valve surgery.
I hope he continues to recover quickly.
Kevin