The Next Stage of the Journey...Part 2

And so we begin the next stage of our "David Wants to Will Walk," journey.........

I finally got the call that Davids next surgery has been scheduled. In case you haven't been reading along and since I can't remember what I have told you and what I haven't.....here is a bit of a recap.

We went back to Shriners in October and saw a different ortho doctor. Our original doctor is no longer working at Shriners. The new one is the head of Shriners orthopedic department. Along with seeing the new doc we also got a new team working with us....including a new physical therapist (PT). It was the consensus of everyone present upon checking Davids legs, mobility and flexibility....along with looking at his x-rays that another surgery was necessary. Not the take the plates out and plate the other hip surgery that I had been thinking was coming, but his last surgery all over again.

Davids hips that originally were very turned in.....after surgery spread way out. In fact they have spread out so far that his feet now cross at the ankles making it impossible for him to stand properly. They are going to have to go back in and take out all the plates, pull his hips back in and then replate. They are talking about another 6-8 hour surgery. If you followed along with his last surgery, then you can only imagine how quickly my heart went into my throat on hearing this. Momentary flashes of almost losing David almost overpowered me. And I had to ask the really hard question. "Will David walk after this?" The doc told me that Davids legs and hips will now be centered so that his feet will be straight and flat so he can stand. The walking would then be up to David. I breathed a sigh of relief. If they do that much, I have no doubt David will do the rest. He wants to walk NOW and tries all the time but because of his hips and feet he currently has way too much difficulty. With this surgery, it should cut the difficulty to the point where David can take control.

This time I will be more prepared for the before, during and after of the surgery. I will know what to expect and how to plan. I already have a wheelchair for after surgery lined out and I am working on getting a hospital bed. I am a bit nervous about his post op recovery because of last time, but this time the surgery will not be done at Shriners, instead it will be at St. Louis Childrens where David ended up last time. They do not want to take any chances with his health or speedy recovery this time. I'll admit I was relieved.

A little side note here: Shriners in St. Louis is actually getting ready to relocate. They are building on to or around St. Louis Children's Hospital and hope to be at their new location in 2015. I think this is an amazing move for all involved as they will be able to more easily take kids like David who could have complications that Shriners currently is not equipped to handle. It will be a win for everyone. 

How this is all going to work financially before, during and after is a little daunting as somethings I know are covered because of Shriners but I have been told other things might not be covered. It has me a little on edge....but then again what doesn't these days. I am just going to have to have faith that it will all work out.

Davids surgery has been scheduled for January 14th and he will be the first surgery of the day as his will be a lengthy one. The week before we have to make another one of our mad dashes down and back as he has to see the doc and have an anesthesia consult. We will be starting the new year out with a bang and hopefully be back on the path to getting David walking.

His surgery will be followed by a 6-8 week recovery and I am sure frequent visits to St. Louis. His recovery will then be followed by extensive PT. Again...not sure how much PT will be covered by insurance. By this time next year....God willing.....they should be looking to take plates out and he should be up and walking....at least with his walker.

Someone asked me if I was going to start the Cheesecakes for David again to help offset expenses. I hesitate to do this because of the holidays and I know everyone is strapped for cash this year. I think I will just put this all in God's hands and have faith that it will all work out. What I will do though is ask that you all send out good thoughts and a little prayer every now and then that this surgery does the trick and that this time next year......David will walk!