One week post-op follow up

    Today we had Amaya's one week post-op follow up. It was a bit hectic managing her wheelchair and the suitcase carrying the magnet, but with the kindness of strangers we managed. We got to see Dr.Nelson,  even though we weren't scheduled to see him, he came in just to see Amaya. He is incredibly kind and thoughtful. He gave us info, looked her over and then gave us instructions. As I scrambled to write down all the instructions, he stopped and wrote them down on a piece of paper for me. He gave us his cell and email so we can reach out with questions, issues, problems and to send him x-rays. I'll be honest I had a moment today where I was a bit nervous to know we would be undergoing a lengthening while being so far from the clinic and Dr. Nelson. But after the visit I was reassured and felt good about it all. I know that even though we will be far we will have plenty of support and help. 

Dr. Nelson told us that...

• he was happy with how Amaya was doing and how everything was looking (including her bruise) 
• he corrected the 10 degree deformity in her femur (it was knocked in. Amaya says she already notices a difference!) 
• he went in through the knee because of the deformity 
• he lengthened 1 mm once the device was inserted 
• the Precice device can hold her weight so its ok if she puts her left foot down, but she shouldn't walk on it because it can loosen and damage it
• once he removed the ace bandage from her knee she had a bit more range of motion that increased as the day progressed 

Whats next...

• he ordered us crutches so she can begin to use those
• she will be non weight bearing for 3 months (crutches or walker)
• she should be constantly working on either bending or straightening the leg 
• she will need physical therapy 3x's a week for a month 
• we will begin lengthening on Friday 2/4/22
• we meed to reinforce the line on her leg as needed
• we will lengthen three times a day (.33 ml each time)
• we will lengthen for 19 days 
• we'll get x-rays at 2 and 4 weeks after starting lengthening (and email them do Dr.Nelson) 
• once we're done lengthening then we will get x-rays once a month 
• it'll take about 2-3 months for the new bone to harden 
• she can begin to shower and cover wounds as needed

Amaya finally got some frozen yogurt. Yum!

On the way into the appointment we were margin her wheelchair and the case holding the lengthening magnet. Thankfully several kind people offered to pull the case os I could focus on pushing Amaya. 

Dr. Nelson removed Amaya's bandages without a hesitation and she didn't even flinch! She's got six new incisions! Three are pretty small (about a quarter inch), one is medium (about an inch and a half) and two large ones (about four inches long).

Here's a top view. You can see the incision in the knee; that where the rod was inserted into her femur. The small incision is where the screw was put in. The long one on the side is where he released the scar tissue she had from her previous lengthening surgery. The purple marker shows where the magnet is inside her leg and helps us know where to align the external magnet to lengthen. This has to stay there for the entire time we are lengthening her femur. 

Here's what it looked like before.