* I'm writing this with about five hours of very interrupted sleep so please forgive the typos.
It's been about 24 hours since Amaya got out of surgery. I can't believe it. Time seems so strange. It's like a combo of Vegas (where clocks don't exist), the Twilight Zone (where things are strange) and Groundhog's Day (where things keep repeating). It's a blur, a wonderful, amazing, painful blur.
We checked in at noon yesterday. Amaya went back for surgery about four and they were done about seven. Dr. Nelson said everything went well and as well as he had hoped. He released the scars at the top and bottom of her femur (so she's got two long bandages there). He put the rod (which she's named Rod Kimble) in through her knee so she's got an incision above the knee cap, plus about four small incisions where the screws were put in to attach the rod to her femur.
Recovery was rough, she was in a lot of pain and it took awhile to get her pain under control. She was moved to a room about ten p.m. in the intermediate unit (because she has an epidural in). She fell asleep about eleven and was woken up at two and five to check her vitals and get new medication as well as to be moved so she doesn't develop bed sores.
It was a long night. I woke up at two a.m. and was so confused. It was as if I had the longest nap of my life and simultaneously the shortest nights rest ever. I slept until five and then stayed up after that. She took a nap before the orthopedic resident came to check in on her, he said she was doing great! She took a quick nap then was greeted with to back to back visits. First Dr. Nelson came to see her; seriously this guy is amazing! His resident already did, so he didn't have to but he choose to make sure she was doing ok. We will see him next Tuesday at her post-op visit. Later we had a visit from physical therapy (its super important to get her knee moving; to maintain her range of motion. And its helpful to do so while she still has the epidural in) then occupational therapy, then breakfast, then child life specialist then the anesthesiologist. Phew!
Today was full of so many things...there were moments of joy and triumph, moments of pain and disappointment and heartache and so much kindness!
Amaya did really well at PT and OT (all things considered). She was disappointed, sad and frustrated that she couldn't stand and then walk to her wheelchair. But it's very tricky because she can't put ANY weight on her left leg. Since she still has the epidural in her right leg was weak, wobbly and what her friend calls "noodle leg." It was so helpful for her to have a friend who's had the same procedure share their recovery with us. The physical therapist told Amaya the because of her right leg she can not safely use crutches (at least not right now). She suggested we try a walker but that was also too difficult. This was very heartbreaking for Amaya. After our friend reminded us that the first three days post-op are the hardest and that the 'noodle leg' will not last forever. And she reminded us (and Amaya) that she's undergone a pretty traumatic procedure (picture drills and hammers in her leg). That helped lift Amaya's spirits. Later they lowered her epidural dosage so she began to regain feeling in her right leg. This should help her regain her feeling and strength. She's a rockstar! She did all her PT homework (sitting up, bending her left knee, stretching the right leg and regaining strength in it) she pushed through tears and wouldn't give up! Seriously she's amazing!
We heard they might try to release us tomorrow or Friday. At this point I think I prefer Friday, she still is in pain and her right leg isn't stable enough yet. But we'll see how the night and tomorrow goes.
As I sit next to her typing this she just whispered, "Thank you mommy, for everything, good night." So to all of you who have reached out with love and support, thank you, for everything, good night.
Amaya giving a peace sign before heading back into surgery. She was in good spirits!
Watching the board to see updates!
woohoo! It was time to go see Amaya!
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