Last night Brandon physician came by and wrapped up his split cast to stay protected for the next 30 days. Brandon's foot is swelling and he is still in pain. However, he is recovering well and really can continue the recovery at home. He will need to have his leg elevated for at least one more week, not moisture in the cast and no weight bearing for 30 days. For the next week Brandon will basically need to be bed bound with an elevated foot.
This morning the Dr Birch released Brandon and will not see him back in the clinic for 1 month for removal of the first split cast and replacement with a thight cast. We checked out the medicines, wrapped the cast a bit more and was out of the hospital by 10 am. On the way home Brandon had to have the foot elevated. He began developing lung congestion and it became worse the longer he was in the car. I got him back in the house and realized that I also had chest congestion and a sore throat and Jane was coughing when I dropped her off. Brandon and I began running a low grade temp this afternoon and we were really tired. It is probably from the lack of sleep, but just to be safe I set an appointment with Brandon's regular pediatrician for tomorrow for a check.
When Brandon arrived waiting for him was the Beatles care packet from Jody Denberg. He has been happy ever since and listening to the Beatles most of the day.
All in all this was much easier than the last surgery and I am glad we are home for awhile.
More later
Leah
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
In Recovery
It was a long night of strong pain medicine and a little sleep. But much improved over the last surgery. Brandon did actually sleep last night and his pain appears to be manageable this year. He is on regular pain medicine but we have moved into regular pain management.
Dr Birch said this surgery is 1/10th the last surgery. Brandon has started eating with his first meal being chocolate pediasure. As of 4 this afternoon he has a little color to his face, his toes looks pick again and he is laughing a little at Hannah Montana (UGH). Dr Birch came in earlier and said that Brandon is looking very good, but due to his travel and the need to elevate the foot we should wait until tomorrow before he is released. We have he wheelchair here in the room to determine how to modify if needed for elevation.
The day is geting better all the time. Its getting better all the time.
Leah
Dr Birch said this surgery is 1/10th the last surgery. Brandon has started eating with his first meal being chocolate pediasure. As of 4 this afternoon he has a little color to his face, his toes looks pick again and he is laughing a little at Hannah Montana (UGH). Dr Birch came in earlier and said that Brandon is looking very good, but due to his travel and the need to elevate the foot we should wait until tomorrow before he is released. We have he wheelchair here in the room to determine how to modify if needed for elevation.
The day is geting better all the time. Its getting better all the time.
Leah
Monday, July 27, 2009
Out of Surgery
Brandon is out of surgery. The surgery lasted about 2 hours with tendon and muscle transfer/lengthening. Brandon's feet have good circulation and he is handling recovery well. Based on the type of surgery he had, he will not be able to bear weight on the foot for 1 month and will need to keep the foot elevated for a while. Brandon's new wheelchair does not elevate the feet so we will have a wheelchair to take home- two in the car.
Brandon did not sleep last night and therefore kept me up all night. The nurses came in and tried to talk him into sleeping but he kept saying " I cant sleep". He has been sleepng most of the day while I have talked to the surgeon, the nutritionist, the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, the nurses, the anesthesiologist and he chaplin.
Jane stayed at Anne's house last night so one of us would have some sleep. The house is great with two very playful cats - Cody and Lighting. Both quite frisky at night.
We are anticipating Brandon will be released on Wednesday as planned. The hard part is recovery after surgery.
A little Scottish Rite story. Jane went to the car to get a few items. She got lost in the hospital and asked someone who works here which direction to the car. The person said let me take you down to the car so you dont get lost. The nurse stopped what she was doing and took her down the elevator and showed her to the car. Jane said she knew she was busy and hated to bother her. The nurse said I am never too busy to help. When was the last time you heard that in a hospital. It is refreshing.
More later.
Brandon did not sleep last night and therefore kept me up all night. The nurses came in and tried to talk him into sleeping but he kept saying " I cant sleep". He has been sleepng most of the day while I have talked to the surgeon, the nutritionist, the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, the nurses, the anesthesiologist and he chaplin.
Jane stayed at Anne's house last night so one of us would have some sleep. The house is great with two very playful cats - Cody and Lighting. Both quite frisky at night.
We are anticipating Brandon will be released on Wednesday as planned. The hard part is recovery after surgery.
A little Scottish Rite story. Jane went to the car to get a few items. She got lost in the hospital and asked someone who works here which direction to the car. The person said let me take you down to the car so you dont get lost. The nurse stopped what she was doing and took her down the elevator and showed her to the car. Jane said she knew she was busy and hated to bother her. The nurse said I am never too busy to help. When was the last time you heard that in a hospital. It is refreshing.
More later.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Back for More Surgery
We are getting ready for another round of surgery. Brandon will have the tendon's repaired in the left foot. We are hoping this will be the last surgery on this foot for awhile. Kristin, Brandon's aide, was going to come with us and help during the stay but she has become ill and my friend Jane has volunteered. She has no idea what she has agreed to and we will owe her a big favor after this is done. Also, thanks to Anne Rote for the use of her place while she is on vacation and while Brandon is in the hospital. It worked out for both of us. She has a house 4.1 miles from the hospital.
Brandon checks in at 6:00 pm on Sunday July 26. For those of you wanting to know how Scottish Rite works, we will check in (yes on a weekend) and then turn in all Brandon's medications during the hospital stay. Scottish Rite does not ask for payment for most of their services and they do not bill any insurance. There is no discussion of payment. You do have to qualify based on your child's condition. I have a link in the blog to their site.
Brandon will either receive the medicine from our supply or from the hopsital's if they have a supply of that drug. They do not accept the clinical trial drug (Propolsid). I will have to administer that drug. Once we go through the medications, nursing assessment and check into the room we will be free to have dinner out. By then we will be starving. Then Brandon must come back to the hospital and have no food after 10 PM. The food at the hospital is not that great so there is a regular run to local places for food during the stay.
Brandon is scheduled for surgery with Dr Birch and his team (the blue team) at 12:30 Monday. The surgery is scheduled for 2 hours and he will be in recovery around 1 hour. Monday will be a long day. I expect that we will stay Monday night, and possibly tuesday night and hope the swelling from the foot goes down enough to place a cast and leave wednesday. Thats my plan at least.
I have been packing for 1 week. It usually takes forever to find everything and get ready. Brandon's supplies just showed up at the house and we will take his own diapers and a few other supplies. Yes 16 years of diapers. However, he only uses them now at night. During the hospital stay and for the 1st month he will be back in diapers fulltime.
Also - thanks to Jody Denberg for sending Brandon a Beatles care packet to help him with his "I'm bored time". He is thrilled.
More after we check in.
Leah
Brandon checks in at 6:00 pm on Sunday July 26. For those of you wanting to know how Scottish Rite works, we will check in (yes on a weekend) and then turn in all Brandon's medications during the hospital stay. Scottish Rite does not ask for payment for most of their services and they do not bill any insurance. There is no discussion of payment. You do have to qualify based on your child's condition. I have a link in the blog to their site.
Brandon will either receive the medicine from our supply or from the hopsital's if they have a supply of that drug. They do not accept the clinical trial drug (Propolsid). I will have to administer that drug. Once we go through the medications, nursing assessment and check into the room we will be free to have dinner out. By then we will be starving. Then Brandon must come back to the hospital and have no food after 10 PM. The food at the hospital is not that great so there is a regular run to local places for food during the stay.
Brandon is scheduled for surgery with Dr Birch and his team (the blue team) at 12:30 Monday. The surgery is scheduled for 2 hours and he will be in recovery around 1 hour. Monday will be a long day. I expect that we will stay Monday night, and possibly tuesday night and hope the swelling from the foot goes down enough to place a cast and leave wednesday. Thats my plan at least.
I have been packing for 1 week. It usually takes forever to find everything and get ready. Brandon's supplies just showed up at the house and we will take his own diapers and a few other supplies. Yes 16 years of diapers. However, he only uses them now at night. During the hospital stay and for the 1st month he will be back in diapers fulltime.
Also - thanks to Jody Denberg for sending Brandon a Beatles care packet to help him with his "I'm bored time". He is thrilled.
More after we check in.
Leah
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