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We have decided to go with Dr. B and after asking him why he didn't want to do both procedures we feel that we have made the right decision.
Doing both a sliding heel osteotomy and a lateral column lengthening with medial imbrication is actually pretty risky. Both require making a slit in the bone and inserting donor bone. And the slits are just a centimeter apart. Which, from my understanding, totally increases the risk of that little bit of bone between the two cuts to fracture/shatter. Also, Dr. B said that he feels that just the lateral column lengthening will show great improvement in Quinn's feet. We might want to consider a sliding heel osteotomy in a few years - on just Quinn's left foot.
So the date is May 20th and here's my to-do list in relation to the surgery. (This does not include things I need to do for work.)
- buy Quinn with new puzzles and legos (check)
- buy a bean bag chair to help with keeping his legs elevated (check)
- get some "Going to the Hospital" books from the library
- inform Quinn's babysitter of the surgery and last day (check)
- inform Quinn's teacher of the surgery and ask about graduation day
- tell Quinn (check)
- arrange for care for Liam (check)
- arrange for a short stay at the Ronald McDonald house
- find some non-tainted tylenol/motrin (check - generic brand)
- arrange for post-surgery "play dates"
- figure out if the metra (train into the city) is wheel-chair friendly
- ask the child center at the gym if Quinn can come in a wheel-chair and play on their computers/watch TV
I've spoken with the nurse quite a few times since scheduling and after each phone call I feel so much better about our decision. The latest and greatest news is that the pre-operating room is a "stick free" area - so they will not start his IV until after he's been put under. Also - Mike and I will be able to wait for him to wake up in the recovery room - so Quinn will see us right away.
Also - the nurse said that Dr. Bielski will carry Quinn in the operating room! Quinn is so familiar with this doctor and has always enjoyed the visits with him in the office so I know Quinn will be in good hands (literally) as the doctor takes him...
4 comments:
Wow... I hope the surgery will not hurt him too much! It sounds painful... but it will be worth it for him to be able to walk better!
I am sure the children's gym will allow him to be there in a wheelchair. It would be discrimination if they didn't!
I know you don't know me, but I live in Lombard... Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!
Look for Maisy goes to the hospital by Lucy Cousins. We have it and it is a great story about going to the hospital.. We have it, let me know if you can't find it, maybe I can mail it to you.
Thinking of you! Sounds like you made a good (best) decision.
Good luck today---thinking of you.
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