Surgery!

The day we have been waiting for -- Well, kinda ;)

Thankfully, there was a cancellation in the hospital schedule so we were able to move the surgery up!

Originally, the date was for when Matt was out of the country --  YIKES!

I thought I would start by showing WHAT they are going to do -- as many don't know or understand.

 First, you will notice where her finger is -- that is NOT her knee.  It is a BEND in her tibia.  She does not have a fibula bone.  BUT because of the tightness in her muscles in the back of her leg the muscles PULLED the tibia back like a bow and caused the POINT in the bone.  When she had the original amputation the surgeon loosen and untangled many of the muscles in hopes that it would lesson the curve of the bone.  We wanted to leave as much bone as possible.  Well, the curve has stayed.  AND now it is causing problems while wearing her prosthesis -- pain, redness, blisters and a pull back from the heal of the stub.  

So, the only option is to take some of the bone in the point of the tibia OUT.  The plan is to take a pie wedge out. 

     

This is a side view.  AND most of the problems are happening in the back of the leg. 

The night before she got some fun gifts to prepare for the hospital!

 Books to read and some arts/crafts to do in the hospital.

 A NEW blanket -- everyone needs a new blanket when going to the hospital!  At least that's what my daughters think :)  This one even smells -- like gum balls!

AND of course -- new P.J.'s!

Surgery was EARLY!!  AND the weather was HORRIBLE!

LOTS and LOTS of snow -- and lots of wind!

We left at 4:30 am.  Shortly after we left all the schools around closed!

We arrived at 6:00 am after a very white knuckle drive.

Thankfully, Bajabs slept -- 

After check-in -- waiting to get called back to the prep room.

When we arrived, Bajabs walked in and changed into her gown -- helped get her doll ready -- went to x-ray -- talked to Dr. F -- told him she wanted a light BLUE cast NO PINK!!!! -- prayed with us -- joked about what daddy looked like all dressed for the surgery room AND easily went to surgery!

NO TEARS!!!!

NO calming meds!

Leaving for surgery.

Thank-you Lord!!!

We were told the surgery would take 2 hours.  Well, at 2 hours she was still NOT done.  

 at 2 1/2 hours Dr. F was ready to meet with us.

Of course our BaJabs has unusual bones.  Her muscles were tight and he couldn't do much about that.  When he made the pie shape cut he was not able to pull it closed as the muscles were soooo tight.  So, he had to cut a bit more bone so it would close.  Yes, they had to add some pins for the next 6 weeks so it stays straight!

 Side view -- it's almost perfectly straight.

Top view

We had to wait about 20 more minutes to go back to recovery.  

Well, she looked amazing.  You could barely tell she had just had major surgery.

She was calm and easy going.  She let us know when it hurt.  She asked for ice chips.  She slept a little.

In recovery!

WOW!!!

Again -- THANK-YOU LORD!!!

These are all things we prayed about!

We got up to the room and spent the day relaxing.  We watched LOTS of movies.  She would NOT sleep!

She ate and drank.

She wanted saltine crackers!! Really!!!

She played games and read -- even with the family life coordinator so Matt and I could quickly grab dinner.

She threw a bit of a tantrum for oral meds and did not sleep much EVEN throughout the night.

A rare hour of sleep!!! 

MOM is exhausted!!!

Tantrum about showering but finally got that done.

BUT

she was doing soooo well they allowed us to leave late in the afternoon the day after surgery.

Getting ready to leave!  Just need the IV out!

She slept about 40 minutes on the way home.

Again, she did well!  BUT there is a bit of a long road to go.  She will be in a cast for at least 6 weeks and without a leg for 8-10 weeks.  She will go to school in about a week or so but with a SOLUS scooter.  AND yes, we will be getting a new leg -- because her leg is suppose to be STRAIGHT now!

Chillin once we got home.  A giraffe pillow pet from Pastor Josh is very loved!  It's perfect to prop the stub.  AND yes, I'm exhausted here!  Thankful, my mom had the house clean and Lauren brought dinner!

I will continue to update as the week goes on!