I have an incredible sense of peace about our tendon surgery decision in two weeks. Everything always has some risk and it is a risk if we chose to do nothing as well (really wasn't a realistic option). God doesn't promise to always change our circumstances, but He does promise to walk with us, remain in control and provide comfort through it all. This is where we get the strength to keep moving forward in the midst of tough times.
I've struggled a lot lately with how do I know if this surgery will be the last? I said back on surgery #4, #5, #6, #7, etc. that those were all "IT" as well! Only God can answer this question and no one else truly knows. I am hoping and praying for some finality to the situation. My standard has decreased dramatically from where I started and now I'd be happy with wearing nearly any shoe (ok - not so much in favor of the senior citizen tie up ones). I am thankful that there is another option out there for improving the situation and at the same time know that sooner or later you do run out of solutions. I read in physician notes from a recent office visit that my situation was "unprecedented." Great - is there a a bonus fee for that honor? No, it will just be the topic of the next monthly meeting of local orthopedic surgeons. Rest in the fact that if God wants it to be the last one, it will be the last one. Keep thinking that Christmas shoes might be possible ...
Details are continuing to fall into place. I ordered a new battery for my scooter, so it will work again soon. I had a work conference in Rhode Island that I was supposed to attend mid-November for a week, but I was able to get all my money back for the plane ticket & conference fees. I've coordinated follow-up care w/my STL surgeon; Chicago is a bit far to drive for a cast change. Mom & I made a trade recently .... she is making new crutch covers and I made dinner for everyone one night last weekend. Wait till you see the fun fall fabric pattern that I picked!
Pray that I continue to remain healthy in the next two weeks, sleep continues and that my attitude and actions will continue to glorify Him. Please begin to pray for wisdom & skill for Dr. C .... may everything happen as planned and most of all that Dr. C will know during surgery if the tendon was able to be lengthened enough to be successful. If the tendon can be lengthened enough and the skin heals well, we will be good for New Years dancing!
Love & hugs,
je
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Next step on Nov. 13th ....
We’ve looked at various options, opinions, risks, benefits, test results, etc. for the past week and have decided to move forward with the tendon lengthening surgery on Thursday, Nov. 13th in Dallas. As procedures go, this is relatively minor and only 30-45 min. of surgery time. Assuming all goes well, the surgery will allow the contracted tendon to be longer causing the foot to relax and lay down. It also has the possibility of sitting better in a shoe, if the tendon is not continually contracted. The doctors that I have the most faith in are in agreement that this is the next best step, so we’re going to boldly step forward and go for it. My current pain level and the negative affect on my artificial hip are the reasons for us feeling like we have to do something to improve the situation. All the work done last spring is totally healed.
The 3-4” incision will be on the shin area and is NOT on the foot or anywhere near where we have worked in the past. The Dallas dr. knows that I’ve had healing issues in the past and we have a plan, if wound healing becomes an issue (amputation is not the only option)…. although he was fairly certain that it should heal okay because of the new blood supply and new area. Big time trust and faith is ahead. Two weeks in a non-weight bearing cast and then two more weeks in a walking cast.
There is no risk of jeopardizing any previous work related to fusions, bone, hardware, positioning, etc. Healing is the biggest risk, so start praying now that those skin cells will grow well!
If you know any “healing tricks,” send them my way …. I know about zinc and lots of protein, but am willing to try anything else that might give it an added boost – some of you out there are experts in this!
Mom & I will fly to Dallas early on the morning of 11/13 & the surgery is outpatient at a surgery center at 12:30pm …. flying home the afternoon of 11/15 (Sat.) & I’m planning on returning to work on Monday, Nov. 17th. We will stay with friends in Dallas, which will be easier than a hotel.
I’m at peace with our decision & am thankful that the Dallas surgeon is willing to help us correct the problem. I can continue to consult and see the Chicago surgeon as needed or desired. We are so close to having this all done. I have about 2 ½ weeks to get things organized at work, which is a blessing. Perhaps I’ll be able to wear a shoe by Christmas …. there would be no better gift. Dream big!
“I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me.” – Jeremiah 32:27
Thanks for praying last week .... it helped lots!
je
The 3-4” incision will be on the shin area and is NOT on the foot or anywhere near where we have worked in the past. The Dallas dr. knows that I’ve had healing issues in the past and we have a plan, if wound healing becomes an issue (amputation is not the only option)…. although he was fairly certain that it should heal okay because of the new blood supply and new area. Big time trust and faith is ahead. Two weeks in a non-weight bearing cast and then two more weeks in a walking cast.
There is no risk of jeopardizing any previous work related to fusions, bone, hardware, positioning, etc. Healing is the biggest risk, so start praying now that those skin cells will grow well!
If you know any “healing tricks,” send them my way …. I know about zinc and lots of protein, but am willing to try anything else that might give it an added boost – some of you out there are experts in this!
Mom & I will fly to Dallas early on the morning of 11/13 & the surgery is outpatient at a surgery center at 12:30pm …. flying home the afternoon of 11/15 (Sat.) & I’m planning on returning to work on Monday, Nov. 17th. We will stay with friends in Dallas, which will be easier than a hotel.
I’m at peace with our decision & am thankful that the Dallas surgeon is willing to help us correct the problem. I can continue to consult and see the Chicago surgeon as needed or desired. We are so close to having this all done. I have about 2 ½ weeks to get things organized at work, which is a blessing. Perhaps I’ll be able to wear a shoe by Christmas …. there would be no better gift. Dream big!
“I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me.” – Jeremiah 32:27
Thanks for praying last week .... it helped lots!
je
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Stepping back ....
I'm taking the next several days to simply evaluate what we've heard, weigh options, and pray about the situation. Sometimes the more opinions you get, the more confusing things become. I've been really stressed about it all the past two nights and have not slept well, which usually means that something is not right or comfortable. I am one that would really like everyone to agree and have all the doctors that we saw be "on the same page," but that is not going to happen. Sometimes as a patient, you have to be bold and just make a decision on what you want to happen .... this isn't really my personality, but that will likely happen. I have never liked wavering around, not having a plan and feeling like nothing is progressing ... it is usually easier when you decide and move forward.
Yesterday I seriously thought we weren't going to do anything and that I was just going to have to live with it, but today has been a little better and I know that is not realistic or practical.
I have 115 kiddos at work tomorrow .... pray for stamina! The battery on my scooter is not working & is getting fixed. Keep praying for wisdom in making the best treatment decision.
Hugs,
je
Yesterday I seriously thought we weren't going to do anything and that I was just going to have to live with it, but today has been a little better and I know that is not realistic or practical.
I have 115 kiddos at work tomorrow .... pray for stamina! The battery on my scooter is not working & is getting fixed. Keep praying for wisdom in making the best treatment decision.
Hugs,
je
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Difficult Decision
Keep praying for direction, wisdom and peace! If we are not supposed to move ahead with the tendon lengthening surgery, then we need to know this soon. I have three doctors that are recommending the surgery and one doctor that feels the risk of it not healing is substantially high. The possibility and consequences if it wouldn’t heal could mean losing everything we have now. It is a very tough choice.
What do you do when you hear that you can’t live without the surgery, but there could be big negative problems if you have it?
I do know that Dr. P will not perform the surgery in Chicago, so I am hoping to talk to the Dallas coordinator tomorrow. Her reasoning for not agreeing to operate again was good. She has had two previous surgeries that did not meet her expectations and the risk of a possible third is not worth taking. She did comfortably recommend the tendon lengthening surgery, though & she does know the Dallas surgeon. I can still continue to consult w/her and see her as needed/desired.
I am also now hearing mixed opinions on whether or not insurance will pay for the electric stimulation device that we hoped with aid in walking after the surgery. I was initially told they’d cover it and today I heard “no way.” It is a $5,000 deal, if insurance doesn't pay – another stressor.
Pray for peace in the next few days as we try to make a decision. I was fairly calm about it all, until I heard that the risk of having a healing issue again seems to be quite high. Not sure where we are headed now …
je
What do you do when you hear that you can’t live without the surgery, but there could be big negative problems if you have it?
I do know that Dr. P will not perform the surgery in Chicago, so I am hoping to talk to the Dallas coordinator tomorrow. Her reasoning for not agreeing to operate again was good. She has had two previous surgeries that did not meet her expectations and the risk of a possible third is not worth taking. She did comfortably recommend the tendon lengthening surgery, though & she does know the Dallas surgeon. I can still continue to consult w/her and see her as needed/desired.
I am also now hearing mixed opinions on whether or not insurance will pay for the electric stimulation device that we hoped with aid in walking after the surgery. I was initially told they’d cover it and today I heard “no way.” It is a $5,000 deal, if insurance doesn't pay – another stressor.
Pray for peace in the next few days as we try to make a decision. I was fairly calm about it all, until I heard that the risk of having a healing issue again seems to be quite high. Not sure where we are headed now …
je
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Closer to a treatment decision ....
We are narrowing in on making a treatment decision with the information we learned in Dallas. My meeting with the St. Louis surgeon on Wednesday was good and he recommended the surgical procedure that I was leaning toward. I felt like I really needed to meet w/the Chicago orthopod in person, so we (mom & I) went to see her on Friday.
The report from the Baylor gait test and CD (showing my walking pattern) was mailed earlier in the week to all my dr.’s, but nothing arrived by the end of the week thanks to no mail for Columbus Day. I called Baylor on Thursday and had them fax me a copy of the report, so I took that to Chicago. Very thankful that I got someone on the phone that took pity on me …. she ignored the “HIPPA rule” of no faxing medical reports.
Dr. P read the report and watched me walk and then told us her diagnosis, before I shared with her what the three TX docs suggested. She came up w/the same diagnosis and solution. Thank heavens for consistency and agreement – this is huge! She said that the gait test is very definitive so if the problem is revealed on the gait test, then that is what needs to be fixed. She was glad we made the effort to go to Dallas.
The problem is with my anterior tib tendon (lg. tendon that runs down your leg & into the foot) remains continually contracted and doesn’t relax. When it does relax (which is rare), it happens at the wrong time in the stepping motion. My foot stays up because of the tendon being in “contraction mode” constantly.
The proposed non-surgical option isn’t really an option, because it would only be a temporary fix. Everyone has agreed that the tendon needs to be lengthened and this will cause the foot to stay down. The surgeon makes a “z” shaped cut in the tendon, stretches it out and then repairs it in the center. Four weeks in a cast/no weight – probably 1-2 nights in the hospital. Then back to pt eventually for major gait training. We can also order this electrical stimulation device that is worn on my calf and it gives the foot a tiny shock when it is supposed to pull up or push down during the stepping process …. it is like a “kick in gear” deal for the foot.
The incision would be a new incision more on the ankle area. We have never cut in that area previously, but there is still a concern related to healing. It should heal better w/the new blood supply now, but everyone is somewhat fearful about getting it to heal.
I asked Dr. P is she would do the surgery or if I need to return to TX for the operation. She is going to talk to my STL dr. this weekend and will call me w/her answer on Tuesday. It would be much easier if she would do it, but there is some hesitancy since past surgeries have not gone as we had planned. I will be elated if she agrees to do it, but will understand if she refers me to Dallas. It would be a lot easier w/no travel & having a doctor that we already know. Pray for direction and wisdom for Dr. P!
We spent last night with IL family and returned to St. Louis today. No one knows why the tendon contraction has happened, but at least there are three doctors that agree on the treatment. Not looking forward to more surgery and the cast scene again, but I’m content and happy that there is a possible solution. I will try to schedule the surgery ASAP with either surgeon, as being on crutches in December is not fun.
Thankful for God’s direction this week ….. good visit with Dr. P ….. and for the blessing of agreement among physicians. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall weekend!
Love & hugs,
jenny
The report from the Baylor gait test and CD (showing my walking pattern) was mailed earlier in the week to all my dr.’s, but nothing arrived by the end of the week thanks to no mail for Columbus Day. I called Baylor on Thursday and had them fax me a copy of the report, so I took that to Chicago. Very thankful that I got someone on the phone that took pity on me …. she ignored the “HIPPA rule” of no faxing medical reports.
Dr. P read the report and watched me walk and then told us her diagnosis, before I shared with her what the three TX docs suggested. She came up w/the same diagnosis and solution. Thank heavens for consistency and agreement – this is huge! She said that the gait test is very definitive so if the problem is revealed on the gait test, then that is what needs to be fixed. She was glad we made the effort to go to Dallas.
The problem is with my anterior tib tendon (lg. tendon that runs down your leg & into the foot) remains continually contracted and doesn’t relax. When it does relax (which is rare), it happens at the wrong time in the stepping motion. My foot stays up because of the tendon being in “contraction mode” constantly.
The proposed non-surgical option isn’t really an option, because it would only be a temporary fix. Everyone has agreed that the tendon needs to be lengthened and this will cause the foot to stay down. The surgeon makes a “z” shaped cut in the tendon, stretches it out and then repairs it in the center. Four weeks in a cast/no weight – probably 1-2 nights in the hospital. Then back to pt eventually for major gait training. We can also order this electrical stimulation device that is worn on my calf and it gives the foot a tiny shock when it is supposed to pull up or push down during the stepping process …. it is like a “kick in gear” deal for the foot.
The incision would be a new incision more on the ankle area. We have never cut in that area previously, but there is still a concern related to healing. It should heal better w/the new blood supply now, but everyone is somewhat fearful about getting it to heal.
I asked Dr. P is she would do the surgery or if I need to return to TX for the operation. She is going to talk to my STL dr. this weekend and will call me w/her answer on Tuesday. It would be much easier if she would do it, but there is some hesitancy since past surgeries have not gone as we had planned. I will be elated if she agrees to do it, but will understand if she refers me to Dallas. It would be a lot easier w/no travel & having a doctor that we already know. Pray for direction and wisdom for Dr. P!
We spent last night with IL family and returned to St. Louis today. No one knows why the tendon contraction has happened, but at least there are three doctors that agree on the treatment. Not looking forward to more surgery and the cast scene again, but I’m content and happy that there is a possible solution. I will try to schedule the surgery ASAP with either surgeon, as being on crutches in December is not fun.
Thankful for God’s direction this week ….. good visit with Dr. P ….. and for the blessing of agreement among physicians. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall weekend!
Love & hugs,
jenny
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Exploring options ....
There is not a lot new happening this week. I met with my St. Louis doctor today and we talked about the Dallas opinions. I'm talking with the Chicago dr. on Friday morning. I've done a lot of research this week on the Internet, and think that I have decided on what I think is best .... hoping that the Chicago orthopod agrees.
I've had kids at JA on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and have had a very difficult time walking and being on my feet nearly all day. Look for another blog update on Saturday.
Keep praying for direction, wisdom, peace and that the Chicago surgeon will be candid about what has the best possibility of working.
je
I've had kids at JA on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and have had a very difficult time walking and being on my feet nearly all day. Look for another blog update on Saturday.
Keep praying for direction, wisdom, peace and that the Chicago surgeon will be candid about what has the best possibility of working.
je
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Strong visit, decisions ahead .....
We made it home and it is good to be back in St. Louis. The trip was worth all the coordination, expense, time, etc. and overall everything went as planned. It was very nice to stay with a good friend and experience Southern hospitality as opposed to a hotel. We enjoyed awesome food, had fun shopping at a jewelry place (had been there previously) and the weather was sunny and 70s.
More on the gait test …. the director of the center greeted us and he explained that he had talked w/my Chicago dr. earlier that morning (Thurs.). I was glad that he had the medical case background. He explained what would happen and that it would take 25-30 min. for them to hook up all these electrodes at certain spots on my legs, feet and hips. I then walked over this platform area and 10 cameras simultaneously took pictures and recorded my walking movement as the floor measured what muscles were working and the strength of each. Mom and our “chauffer” friend watched the entire thing from the side. I was the only patient there our entire time. It was a smaller office in Baylor hospital, which made it nice. Later this week I will receive a CD from them with pictures from the test on it.
We got to see several computer generated graphs and a computer simulation of a person walking the way I walk. The graphs & readings showed that the tendon that allows your foot to drop down and step through when walking is overworking …. The tendon is like a rubber band that is supposed to contract-relax-contract-relax, etc. ….. mine stays contracted nearly the entire time and when it does relax it is not happening at the right time. This explains why when doctors often ask me to relax the foot, I can’t! We’ll never know why it has happened, but the next hurdle is making the best choice in how to correct it.
The other doctors that we consulted with also came to the same conclusion, but the test confirmed what they thought. I made my usual “pro vs. con” list for the two possible treatment options on the plane ride home. I need to learn more about each, before I can explain them.
Doctors would like patients to be able to push down w/the foot (gas pedal motion) at a minimum of 40 degrees. My normal foot is 72 degrees and the surgical foot is 24, which also prohibits me from pushing into a shoe. So, I am not “off” by miles, but it needs help. Much to close to give up was what I heard ……. THANKFUL FOR THAT NEWS!
There was definitely one of the three doctors that I thought that if I needed to begin working with him, I would be comfortable. His office was very impressive with 17 orthopedic surgeons and they have a long history of strong medical credibility. We have a friend in Dallas that is diabetic & was told that he needed to have his leg amputated by multiple doctors. The dr. that I saw and liked ended up saving his leg and now 18 mo. later he still has his leg and is doing better than ever …. somewhat encouraging to hear a success story.
I plan to talk with my St. Louis & Chicago doctors this week and get their opinions on what we learned. There is no big rush to make a decision on anything immediately, but hopefully we can come to some consensus by the end of this week. The longer I wait to decide the slower it is to move toward treating the tendon issue.
• Pray that the Chicago & St. Louis orthopods will be open to new ideas, agreement will happen, they’ll be candid about what they think is best and that it will be very clear w/which treatment option to choose (two options).
I sincerely thank you for praying for us over the past four days. I had stamina to make it through our long day on Thursday, & all our organization efforts paid off. One dr. told us that he’d never seen post-op records spiral bound before ….. not everyday that he sees someone w/as much surgical history either!
Keep praying for clear direction this week and wisdom in decision making on my part.
Love & hugs,
Jenny
More on the gait test …. the director of the center greeted us and he explained that he had talked w/my Chicago dr. earlier that morning (Thurs.). I was glad that he had the medical case background. He explained what would happen and that it would take 25-30 min. for them to hook up all these electrodes at certain spots on my legs, feet and hips. I then walked over this platform area and 10 cameras simultaneously took pictures and recorded my walking movement as the floor measured what muscles were working and the strength of each. Mom and our “chauffer” friend watched the entire thing from the side. I was the only patient there our entire time. It was a smaller office in Baylor hospital, which made it nice. Later this week I will receive a CD from them with pictures from the test on it.
We got to see several computer generated graphs and a computer simulation of a person walking the way I walk. The graphs & readings showed that the tendon that allows your foot to drop down and step through when walking is overworking …. The tendon is like a rubber band that is supposed to contract-relax-contract-relax, etc. ….. mine stays contracted nearly the entire time and when it does relax it is not happening at the right time. This explains why when doctors often ask me to relax the foot, I can’t! We’ll never know why it has happened, but the next hurdle is making the best choice in how to correct it.
The other doctors that we consulted with also came to the same conclusion, but the test confirmed what they thought. I made my usual “pro vs. con” list for the two possible treatment options on the plane ride home. I need to learn more about each, before I can explain them.
Doctors would like patients to be able to push down w/the foot (gas pedal motion) at a minimum of 40 degrees. My normal foot is 72 degrees and the surgical foot is 24, which also prohibits me from pushing into a shoe. So, I am not “off” by miles, but it needs help. Much to close to give up was what I heard ……. THANKFUL FOR THAT NEWS!
There was definitely one of the three doctors that I thought that if I needed to begin working with him, I would be comfortable. His office was very impressive with 17 orthopedic surgeons and they have a long history of strong medical credibility. We have a friend in Dallas that is diabetic & was told that he needed to have his leg amputated by multiple doctors. The dr. that I saw and liked ended up saving his leg and now 18 mo. later he still has his leg and is doing better than ever …. somewhat encouraging to hear a success story.
I plan to talk with my St. Louis & Chicago doctors this week and get their opinions on what we learned. There is no big rush to make a decision on anything immediately, but hopefully we can come to some consensus by the end of this week. The longer I wait to decide the slower it is to move toward treating the tendon issue.
• Pray that the Chicago & St. Louis orthopods will be open to new ideas, agreement will happen, they’ll be candid about what they think is best and that it will be very clear w/which treatment option to choose (two options).
I sincerely thank you for praying for us over the past four days. I had stamina to make it through our long day on Thursday, & all our organization efforts paid off. One dr. told us that he’d never seen post-op records spiral bound before ….. not everyday that he sees someone w/as much surgical history either!
Keep praying for clear direction this week and wisdom in decision making on my part.
Love & hugs,
Jenny
Friday, October 10, 2008
Appointments over ....
We are done with our appointments and the gait test. All three doctors agree that it is a problem with a tendon near my ankle area. They don't all agree on how it should be fixed. The tendon is "over firing" or working more than it should and is contantly "on," so it will not allow my foot to relax and stay to the ground.
There is one solution that is non-surgical and one solution that is surgical. The non-surgical solution may or may not work .... you don't know unless you try (very expensive shot w/medication). The non-surgical option is not as easy as it sounds. We need to learn more about the non-surgical option, as this may not work. I have been told by other people that this wouldn't work. I now need to consult with STL and Chicago.
I really liked the first doctor ... he was the one that recommended a surgical procedure to fix it. The surgery could be done in STL or Chicago, but I'm not sure if either doctor would do it. The gait test revealved that one muscle is overworking and one muscle is not working .... it is unclear as to whether or not we could retrain the foot or not.
I have people waiitng on me, so sorry for the short note. We made it to TX fine and have had a friend take us to all the appointments, so that has been nice. We haven't made a final decision yet on what to do next. The first doctor did say that it was too soon to amputate. Gotta run ....
je
There is one solution that is non-surgical and one solution that is surgical. The non-surgical solution may or may not work .... you don't know unless you try (very expensive shot w/medication). The non-surgical option is not as easy as it sounds. We need to learn more about the non-surgical option, as this may not work. I have been told by other people that this wouldn't work. I now need to consult with STL and Chicago.
I really liked the first doctor ... he was the one that recommended a surgical procedure to fix it. The surgery could be done in STL or Chicago, but I'm not sure if either doctor would do it. The gait test revealved that one muscle is overworking and one muscle is not working .... it is unclear as to whether or not we could retrain the foot or not.
I have people waiitng on me, so sorry for the short note. We made it to TX fine and have had a friend take us to all the appointments, so that has been nice. We haven't made a final decision yet on what to do next. The first doctor did say that it was too soon to amputate. Gotta run ....
je
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Texas tomorrow .....
I need to finalize packing and make sure I have everything in order for our big day tomorrow. All is still happening as planned and I confirmed each appointment time today, so no surprises should happen there.
On Monday my foot was really swollen and hurting, so the past two days I decided to go back to wearing a normal shoe on the left foot and a Croc on the bad foot. It has been a lot better. I decided there was no point in forcing it into a shoe when it doesn't have movement to bend or function like it should in the shoe.
Emotionally I'm okay and am trying to go into the next two days with an open mind. If none of the options sound reasonable or promising, we don't have to do any of them. Hopefully we will hear some fresh thoughts and perspective on the situation. I was thinking last night back to my very first visit with the doctors that I currently have now. Typically they spend more time with you at that appt. than any other and I think it would be rare for any dr. to tell you they don't have any ideas. Most orthopedic doctors don't want some case to "beat them."
I came home tonight to a nice surprise .... my neighbor had raked all my leaves in my front yard. There were not a lot, but it was for sure something that I wasn't going to get to or worry about tonight. I called him and asked if he was the "leaf fairy" today and he said I had the right neighbor.
My big teacher luncheon went well today and I think 300 kids are going to come to JA.
Better close as I need to head to bed early tonight. Planning to take the laptop, so I'll update the blog. If I don't update on Thursday night it will be because I can't find a wifi connection .... will for sure do it Friday.
Looking forward to seeing God work in a mighty way in the next few days ....
Love & hugs,
je
P.S. Thanks for the blog comments and e-mails .... reading them all!
On Monday my foot was really swollen and hurting, so the past two days I decided to go back to wearing a normal shoe on the left foot and a Croc on the bad foot. It has been a lot better. I decided there was no point in forcing it into a shoe when it doesn't have movement to bend or function like it should in the shoe.
Emotionally I'm okay and am trying to go into the next two days with an open mind. If none of the options sound reasonable or promising, we don't have to do any of them. Hopefully we will hear some fresh thoughts and perspective on the situation. I was thinking last night back to my very first visit with the doctors that I currently have now. Typically they spend more time with you at that appt. than any other and I think it would be rare for any dr. to tell you they don't have any ideas. Most orthopedic doctors don't want some case to "beat them."
I came home tonight to a nice surprise .... my neighbor had raked all my leaves in my front yard. There were not a lot, but it was for sure something that I wasn't going to get to or worry about tonight. I called him and asked if he was the "leaf fairy" today and he said I had the right neighbor.
My big teacher luncheon went well today and I think 300 kids are going to come to JA.
Better close as I need to head to bed early tonight. Planning to take the laptop, so I'll update the blog. If I don't update on Thursday night it will be because I can't find a wifi connection .... will for sure do it Friday.
Looking forward to seeing God work in a mighty way in the next few days ....
Love & hugs,
je
P.S. Thanks for the blog comments and e-mails .... reading them all!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Week plans in Texas ....
The ear infection is getting better …. the medicine is working – whew! Well, I don’t have my “surgery summary” down to a 3-4 min. speech, but I did type up a sheet with all the surgery dates, times, dr. name, etc. It will save me having to write this four times on medical forms. You would laugh if you saw the notebook and files on each dr. that I am taking. They don’t know who is coming on Thurs/Friday!
I read more about the Baylor gait lab over the weekend and am so thankful that I was able to get in there. They place these sensors on all your joints and then 12 cameras take pictures at the same time as I walk. The cameras can detect movement up to 1/100th of a second. If there are muscles or joints that either are not working or I’m not able to make work, the analysis will show this. It is pretty amazing technology. Olympic athletes learn a lot from this place on how to improve their sport. It also helps doctors to know what treatment/surgery is best for patients. Hope it lives up to what it sounds like in research reports.
Prayer requests for this week:
- Travel safety
- God will be honored & glorified in the midst of our circumstance.
- Surgeon consult wisdom
- Time; they will spend the necessary time w/us & will answer questions
candidly, even if the choices or news is tough to hear.
- Expectations; whatever happens is what was supposed to occur.
- Attitude; that I won’t be upset if no one has any answers.
- Stamina; a lot is happening on Thursday!
- Fun; we’ll be able to do something fun in TX, after medical stuff.
If the conversation would progress to the point that we’d feel the need to start working w/one of the new doctors, this needs to be incredibly obvious to us. It will happen if we are to make a change. Pray that we’d ask the right questions during each appointment.
Appointment times:
10:20am – Thurs. – Dr. C
1:00pm – Thurs. – Dr. E
3:00pm – Thurs. – Gait test
9:30am – Friday – Dr. R
Good verses for this week …..
Do not begin to be anxious – Phil 4:6
Fret not – Psalm 37:1
Let us run with patience – Hebrews 12:1
Love,
jenny
I read more about the Baylor gait lab over the weekend and am so thankful that I was able to get in there. They place these sensors on all your joints and then 12 cameras take pictures at the same time as I walk. The cameras can detect movement up to 1/100th of a second. If there are muscles or joints that either are not working or I’m not able to make work, the analysis will show this. It is pretty amazing technology. Olympic athletes learn a lot from this place on how to improve their sport. It also helps doctors to know what treatment/surgery is best for patients. Hope it lives up to what it sounds like in research reports.
Prayer requests for this week:
- Travel safety
- God will be honored & glorified in the midst of our circumstance.
- Surgeon consult wisdom
- Time; they will spend the necessary time w/us & will answer questions
candidly, even if the choices or news is tough to hear.
- Expectations; whatever happens is what was supposed to occur.
- Attitude; that I won’t be upset if no one has any answers.
- Stamina; a lot is happening on Thursday!
- Fun; we’ll be able to do something fun in TX, after medical stuff.
If the conversation would progress to the point that we’d feel the need to start working w/one of the new doctors, this needs to be incredibly obvious to us. It will happen if we are to make a change. Pray that we’d ask the right questions during each appointment.
Appointment times:
10:20am – Thurs. – Dr. C
1:00pm – Thurs. – Dr. E
3:00pm – Thurs. – Gait test
9:30am – Friday – Dr. R
Good verses for this week …..
Do not begin to be anxious – Phil 4:6
Fret not – Psalm 37:1
Let us run with patience – Hebrews 12:1
Love,
jenny
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Ear Infection ... ugh!
I woke up this morning with an ear infection of all things! No one has been sick in our family, so who knows (it was the first week with kiddos at work). I thought it was possibly starting earlier in the week, but I hoped that it would go away - no luck w/that happening. I managed to see a doctor this morning and got medicine ... let's hope that it kicks in soon. This is NOT the week for me to be sick. There is pain and a stuffy feeling in the ear now. The doctor said it could take the better part of a week to subside, but I'm praying that he is aiming on the high side.
The foot MRI went fine on Friday morning. Really long, but I got the films all on disk which makes transporting them easier. I confirmed all the appointments this week and made sure we are taking the necessary medical records. We are staying with a friend in Richardson, TX the first night and then a friend in Arlington, TX the last two nights. I need to finalize questions that I want/need to ask the TX doctors and try and consolidate my "foot story" into a 3-4 min. version.
I have a big school meeting (600 potential new students) & am delivering lunch to 30 teachers on Wednesday and then need to be rested going into the Dallas trip. Pray that the ear thing subsides, that sleep will come easily this week and for wisdom/guidance for the new docs (Dr. C, Dr. E, & Dr. R) ... all new initials!
Trying to relax this weekend ... got a pedicure today in honor of "all eyes on the foot" this week.
Love & hugs,
je
The foot MRI went fine on Friday morning. Really long, but I got the films all on disk which makes transporting them easier. I confirmed all the appointments this week and made sure we are taking the necessary medical records. We are staying with a friend in Richardson, TX the first night and then a friend in Arlington, TX the last two nights. I need to finalize questions that I want/need to ask the TX doctors and try and consolidate my "foot story" into a 3-4 min. version.
I have a big school meeting (600 potential new students) & am delivering lunch to 30 teachers on Wednesday and then need to be rested going into the Dallas trip. Pray that the ear thing subsides, that sleep will come easily this week and for wisdom/guidance for the new docs (Dr. C, Dr. E, & Dr. R) ... all new initials!
Trying to relax this weekend ... got a pedicure today in honor of "all eyes on the foot" this week.
Love & hugs,
je
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)