Eden post fixator

Eden has a cast on her leg and is feeling ok. Surgery went fine. They inserted a metal rod for more strength so she is still kind of bionic. They will take it out when we do the next lengthening - we do not yet know when that will be. We are kind of back to square one, she does not want to stand on her leg or even see it and is afraid to move. But she felt that way about the fixator and look what she was able to do at the end. The wounds will heal themselves. I am worried about itching, but what can we do about that? A few of the wounds from her hip area are not covered so we can watch those heal. Ayla will take care of them for us!

The hospital stay was fine. We checked in at 9 am, we were on the schedule for 11:30, but we did not know that. Eden started to get hungry but managed to not fuss too much. There was a younger child they operated on ahead of us. Eden isn't the baby anymore getting first dibs in the OR. I went into the OR like the past two times. I can say for sure, this was the easiest time, for me. For her it was a bit harder. Being older, she was more aware and more scared. That was not fun but we are so lucky they allow us to be with her until she is asleep.

Recovery was full so it took a bit to get her there - she did wake a few seconds before we got there so she was a bit upset when they brought us to her. The day was not great, but not terrible. I think it is more fear than pain. We managed her pain with the same meds we have given her all along, so we are keeping her doped to prevent any pain. She is also taking antibiotics for a week to ward off any infection from the rod and the open wounds. The Dr has a near perfect (just on case that happened recently) record on his kids not getting infections. That was good to hear.

They kept us in recovery for a while, Eden dozed in and out and peed on my leg (a mother's love) and Chris and I played back gammon on the ipad. Fun toy. Good news - we got a private room, but wow was it small. Eden wanted round the clock cuddles, so we gave it to her. There was a pull out chair/bed so we managed to get sleep, one on the pull out and one in her bed. The nurses were good and let her sleep for a 5 hour stretch at least. We bought them dinner, so maybe that helped.

By 10 am we were itching to get out and they gave Eden a last dose of meds, and signed our papers. We were home by 1pm! Sabba and Savta were waiting for us with TWO balloons - Dora and a Strawberry shortcake. As usual, a big hit.

So, back to the grind, kids with friends, sleepovers, Chris took them ice skating yada yada

We will see how quickly we can get Eden moving. The cast comes off in one month - so she should be free by her birthday late January! By the summer, she should have full use of her leg back. This will be almost a one year process. Good thing they did not tell us what we were in for and exactly how long! We are tired!!! But worth every second of what we have been through, and will go through, to give our little girl two perfect legs.

As always, thanks for all the support. We read all the facebook postings and emails, they keep us laughing, smiling, and hoping.

The final countdown

In two days the fixator comes off. 3 months turning, 2 months strengthening the bone. The Dr was supposed to be on a relief mission in Haiti so we were scheduled for Jan 5. The trip was canceled and we found out through the grapevine so we managed to get the surgery pushed up. This is the best holiday gift possible.

Eden will get a cast for one month, then we are DONE. I am sure there is lots more PT ahead of her, but Eden loves Leslie so that is not an issue. In fact, I am pretty sure Eden will be upset when we tell her PT is done.

No words can thank you all for your continued support and prayers, we are almost at the finish line, so keep them coming.