Mark and I got home from the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary last night at about 10 p.m. For those who may not have known, he just had major reconstructive surgery on his hips which were not forming properly due to the brain injury, lack of walking, etc.
The surgery was successful, but there were a few little problems which gave some adventure to the hospital stay. First, he was supposed to have an epidural for 3 days post-operatively, but it came out of place the first night and leaked all over his bed, and needless to say, did not provide the pain relief intended. They controlled his pain with morphine and midazolam after that and he seemed relatively comfortable, except when being transferred.
He came out of surgery with casts on his two legs to mid-thigh with a broomstick between them, just above the ankles to hold his legs in a straddle position allowing the hips to stay in the socket. These casts were to stay on for 4 weeks. By the time we were to go home, they had shifted so that his toes were way back in the casts. The doctor decided that the casts had to come off because they could cause pressure sores being out of position. They substituted a foam wedge that goes between his legs. He has to wear the wedge now 24/7 for the next 3 weeks and gradually reducing to just night time after that and will wear it for 6 months.
He is home now, and just on tylenol and a stronger version of advil. We're still having some challenges with his bowels and bladder, but he is relatively comfortable. I'm not sure yet when he'll be able to go back to school or go to church, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment