Month: July 2016

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Update: Laken’s Leg, Days 3-7 Post Surgery

One day at a time, we’ve gotten to day 7 post surgery. 

Early on I discovered this great little app called Medisafe. Medisafe allowed me to load all the prescriptions, doses, and times, make sure you okay notifications and you’ll get a nice little pill bottle shaking noise when it’s medication time. At day 7 we are at 87% adherence to our original medication plan with a pain level of 3-5 when we get a notification. Three to Five is so much better than crying and 7-worst ever pain. Not sure if it’s the gabapentin working, the surgery helped the nerve, or the splint has relieved the pain to the ankle and leg. Whatever the reason we are thankful that there is less pain. 


There’s also a serious loss of appetite going on, at first we had some reservations about all the Sprite, milkshakes, and snacks. However, she probably needs this little bit of indulgence each day just to get the calories, and fats her body requires daily. Thanks to KayKay, Zack, Nick, Jimmy, Kennedy, and Ms. Stacy she’s had plenty of snacks to last! She even recieved some bubble wrap. 

Monday we ordered a wheelchair. After talking with Carmichaels on what our copay would be, vs. the cost of renting without insurance, Mike said just buy one. So that’s what we did, with some shopping help from CoCo.

Tuesday night we were able to see the surgery incision for the first time. We were told to undress, redress and rewrap. I was pleasantly surprised, it wasn’t as bad as expected. The scar does go from under knee to lower thigh, and I can see why her knee has to stay bent. Not to mention there is a piece of clear thread on top of the scar that I’m pretty sure will break through the skin (you can see the red aggravated skin) before the Doctor can remove the stitch. Please don’t mind the hair, we are unable to shave the leg as the hairs may get into the incision and cause infection. Soon enough she will be shaving this leg! 


“Big Blue” arrived Wednesday evening and we were able to put it together and make it to Raising Cane’s in time for the Colorguard fundraiser! Laken didn’t eat too much and didn’t seem in the best of moods while there. (Stage fright?)She was excited to see the ones that were there but the excitement didn’t seem to last!

 

Thursday, we were able to meet baby Zaedyn (Laken’s nephew Megan’s baby that was born on the same day as her surgery) Laken’s Dad won his tournament in Vegas, she hasn’t talked to him since before her surgery as he had to leave once she was in recovery to check in on her sister Megan before heading out to Las Vegas. This was a good day!

Laken has enjoyed the visitors she’s had, and keeps saying how she wants to be at camp. She’s all but begging to go to camp next week, even if it’s just for an hour or so. Sadly I’ve had to say no, the Dr. was very adamant that she stay resting with her knee bent, and in the AC until our follow up (Aug 5th). We are planning to attend untalent night, we are looking forward to the comradery and antics.

Tonight we are opting for a shampoo in bed. We’ve tried rinseless shampoo, and rinseless shampoo caps but both of these leave Laken’s hair tacky feeling. Pray we don’t flood the futon with this newest adventure! At the very least we will get an A for effort. 


Laken is now able to take about 10 steps with the crutches before she tires out and the leg gets too heavy. She’s awake about 8 hours of the day and has some serious cabin fever. We are working hard to keep faith, remain positive and continue to take this one day at a time! 

Thank you all again for your love 💙💛💙 and prayers! 

Sincerely, this working from home, couch sleeping, praying mama. 

#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury

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Update: Laken’s Leg, Days 1-2 post surgery

SHS Colorguard Carwash sending love to Laken!

We rested between the pain, and messages from Megan (Laken’s older sister) she had a baby just about the same time Laken was waking up from surgery last night. This morning when the ortho resident came into check her out and do his simple neuro exam I started in on why there was no AFO, brace or splint. The longer the drop foot goes untouched the more permanent it becomes not to mention the pain! Ah the pain, Laken is never without pain. The Dr. lets me know how sorry he is and that before we leave today a solution will be in place. A nurse tech comes in and measures Laken’s foot for a cam boot. Hours later the cam boot is brought in and it is too high, hitting at the initial wound and then the surgery site as well. I ask for the next size down. The Doctor agrees. Over an hour later another cam boot is brought in, it is too high as well. Then we are told they are going to splint her leg until the AFO is ready (we were initially told we could pick it up on the 2nd).  The leg is now in a splint, and the knee has to stay bent for the next 2 weeks. Under no circumstances is the leg to go out straight as this will hurt any chance she has of the nerve repairing itself. They’ve started her on Neurontin/Gabapentin to help with the pain and she has norco and ibuprofen 600. We are cleared to leave the hospital and at 5:28 we are loaded and on our way home.  She’s moans and cries some on the way home, I ask if she’s hurting and the pain level is at an 8. There’s nothing I can do till 7:00. Come Iowa she needs to use the restroom, there is nothing we can do she has to hold her bladder till we get home  we get into town I drop off scripts and call CoCo to come help get her in the house as Mr. Mike is at work. We try the crutches to no avail. Echo then comes up with the brilliant idea of a rolling chair. Needless to say the rolling office chair got us to the front door and then a dining chair once we were in the house was our salvation. Echo is going to bring a wheelchair today after work. Laken is bed ridden for the next two weeks she will be in bed with her leg bent until we return to New Orleans to see the surgeons. If you would like to visit you are welcome to do so. If you would like to bring something for Laken, keep in mind she is stuck in bed. Laken’s favorite foods are Boudin, Boudin Kolaches, Rice n’ Gravy, Rice Krispie Treats, Oreos, Vanilla Milk Shakes, and SPRITE! (The girl loves Sprite)

Leaving New Orleans I was so much more relieved than I was going, completely heartbroken but relieved, and I have such a feeling of a thankfulness. Thankful to the surgeons, and to Jehovah GOD, thankful that the children sought medical attention (such as it was) for my daughter and didn’t leave her on that fence, thankful to all of our friends, family, and bandamily for all of the support and love!

Day 2 Post Surgery- Yay!! Sam brought donuts, and a Kolache for Laken!

I will update the blog less and less from here on out. Thanks again to you all for your continued prayers, and love!

#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury

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Update: Laken’s Leg Post-Op

The Dr. walked into the waiting room just over an hour after we were separated from Laken. The Doctor sits down and begins to explain that the peroneal nerve had a small nick and was stretched out about 5cm. They had to go digging to find it. They found good nerve at both the top and bottom and sewed in collagen graftjacket around both good ends in the hopes that the nerve endings will travel up the collagen to meet each other again and repair themselves. The Doctor says there is a good chance of this happening and we will not know if the surgery was a success for 3 months. After one month they will have a good idea of whether or not there is a need for a second surgery to correct the foot drop; this surgery is called a tibial tendon transfer (Doc says they just did one last week on a football player). Laken will be in an ankle foot brace for a long while and may have some set backs due to this but she is strong and resilient, until this week I did not know just how strong. Laken was in recovery for an extended amount of time and had a rough go with the anesthesia, she is in severe pain. All together she’s only been awake for about 30 minutes since returning to her room. Laken’s Dad, Bonus Mom, and Mr. Mike have all gone now and it is just Laken, Richy, and me. If it takes me a while to respond to anyone it is more than likely because we are a little preoccupied at the moment. When Laken does see all of your messages, I know she will be very happy and feel so loved. Our SHS Band of Pride has been amazing! A fellow band member that is super busy with his own life has volunteered to drop his free Saturday to work a car wash for my child so she doesn’t lose merits. A goodie treat bag and stuffed animal received from a team member and Guard Mom. This is called a #Bandamily and we are proud to be a part of this one! Now we wait and see and take this day by day, while having a realistic view we are still going to keep faith on our side as we all know miracles happen daily!

#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury

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Update: Laken’s Leg Pre-op

image image imageExploration of the lower left extremity with repair vs graft.                                                    This is what the surgeon came to discuss Thursday afternoon. One of three things will happen.

  1. The peroneal nerve is in tact.                     -If this is the case then they will repair other damages and close. Diagnosis, Palsy due to nerve trauma. Prognosis, hoping as the nerve restores itself and the Palsy reverses.
  2. The peroneal nerve is knicked or stretched. -The surgeons will suture the fibers of the nerve to repair it along with other damage and put a sheathe around it.
  3. The peroneal nerve is cut in two.                -If this is the case, they will close her up and plastic surgeons will have to go in and harvest to make repairs.

Surgery will last approximately 1 hour depending on what they find. She will have rehabilitation and therapy for 3-6 months. The Brace shop came and fit her for the AFO, Laken did not fully understand what this was at the time, however colors and design are involved.  Later in the night I showed her a sample of the AFO, this was extremely upsetting to Laken.

To lighten the mood, laughter through tears; we decided to play on snapchat a bit.

There will be three surgeons in the OR with Laken. The current wounds will be opened up and incorporated where they will gain entry and perform the surgery. There is an 80% success rate.

The Doctor says this is a day by day thing and that we will know more once they open her up.

Our prayers are for comfort and healing for Laken, with gentle, cautious, and steady hands of the surgeons.

Surgery is scheduled for noon.

#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury

 

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Update: Laken’s Leg

 

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Sleeping in her room.
X-rays all came back normal (this Mother’s hunch knew they would) we sit for hours with no information. Sheer desperation kept me awake, around 4 am the ER Dr. “Meadows” peeps in and says that she is waiting for 4:30 to page the ortho. I said why ortho? She says “here our ortho teams are ortho-neuro surgeons.” My eyes show my excitement and astonishment. I’m relieved, something will be done. 6:55 Dr comes in says “I’m with the ortho team.” He gets the story and proceeds with exam. He then tells me what nerve is damaged and is very thorough in his explanation. ( I let him know that I had already done my research and knew which nerve was damaged and what all it was affecting) he seemed surprised. He said it seems that the nerve is either cut or stretched. He suggests an AFO (hard plastic sheath to keep foot from dropping) and 3-6 months of healing time then reevaluation but to be sure he is going to head upstairs and consult the team. I am crushed, another Doctor is refusing to fix my child, our beautiful Laken is going to paralyzed forever! Horrible thoughts are racing through my mind. I call “Shane” (Laken’s Dad, Mike) he is coming in from trying to locate Richy’s neurologist in his office for a consult (to no avail). Shortly after Shane is in the ER. The Dr. returns Shane immediately starts questioning the sending home like this with 3-6 months of uncertainty and then returning only at the possibility of starting back at ground zero. That’s when the Doctor cuts him off and says, “hold on let me back up, the team has met and we are all in agreement that we will admit and do exploratory surgery in the morning.” I cry tears of relief, I’m elated that someone is going to finally attempt to fix our baby girl!! She seems relieved as well. We thank the Doctor, and have some discussion, he lets us know that he will be in our room tonight for further details and talk on the matter. We are waiting for the brace shop to come fit the AFO now. She is on some stronger pain meds and has her IV, she is NPO after midnight tonight and we are resting comfortably finally! Please pray for a steady hand for the surgeons tomorrow and guidance to correct all issues. Thank you all!

#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury

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Family

Laken’s Leg

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Getting a splint for drop foot at Lake Charles Memorial
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Entry point on the back of leg. Monday am.
Monday, July 18, 2016 the phone rang at 4:36 am. It was Laken’s number. “Mrs. Midge it’s Sam, I’m here at the ER with Laken.” I quickly respond, “What, no Laken is in her bed asleep.” Sam says, “no ma’am I am here with her and she has hurt her leg.” The admissions clerk then gets on the phone and asks for permission to treat my 14 year old daughter. I give an immediate YES, followed by “wait does she need medical attention?” The clerk lets me know that indeed my daughter did need immediate medical attention. The next ten minutes were sheer angst, with tears flowing, stomach boiling, mind blowing white hot anger, and WORRY! After waking my husband, and daughter we get to the hospital and I speak to the clerk and give copy of the insurance card. She lets me know in which room I’ll find my daughter. Upon entering I see that Laken seems okay, she’s upright, she’s talking, she looks at me and our eyes meet. She looks down, my eyes follow and that’s when I see it; her leg is cut open and meat is hanging out, the nurses that are cleaning the wound then turn her leg and I see the backside is cut as well. My questions start flying, animal instinct had taken over. I wanted to know what, why, how, who did this to my baby?  Come to find out it was my daughter’s own judgement that led to this injury, she made the decision to leave the safety of her room in our home and jump the fence. Little did she know that her adventure would come to a screeching halt when upon leaving she slips and falls on the fence becoming impaled in her lower left leg. I was told that she had to be lifted off that fence, and then carried to the car, I’m very thankful that the group of irresponsible teenagers then sought immediate medical attention for my daughter and drove her to the hospital. The Dr. comes into the room and says that nothing is broke and that he is going to staple her up, she will need to follow up with pediatrician and then have the staples removed in 2 weeks. Okay, not so bad- 2 cuts 28 staples, 2 stitches, and a few scrapes and bruises. Leaving with a script for pain, no antibiotics because the risk of infection is so high and they do not want any resistance to arise. We get Laken home and she’s complaining of numbness and tingling, I think it’s trauma. She spends the better half of the day sleeping from the codeine and being up all night no doubt. Monday afternoon/evening brings pain and lots of it! Pain in the foot, ankle, and leg. She is unable to lift her foot, this is causing ankle pain. Monday night brings little sleep. Tuesday morning we wake up so that she can get to guard practice to observe and be present for her team. She is in so much pain, and her leg and foot are spotted white. We head to the pediatrician instead of practice. Our all wise and knowing ped is on vacation to London “UGH” so we see the one that is available. Not always a good thing! The pediatrician examines the leg and listens to our questions she really doesn’t know the extent of damage or she doesn’t want to tell. She says she is referring us to a wound care specialist and that they will in turn refer to a neurologist and then other specialists. The nurse comes in cleans the wounds and dresses them. We leave with a new prescription for ibuprofen. Tuesday evening/ night brings more pain and weekness. Her foot is just kind of dropped over and she is unable to move it, hubs wraps the ankle with an ace bandage to see if it will help support the ankle. In the middle of the night we remove the wrap as the pain is unbearable.  Codeine and ibuprofen 600 every three hours and my baby is still crying in pain. Uncontrollable pain, immobility, and feelings of stupidity, lead to depression. We wait for the wound care specialist to call overnight. Wednesday morning brings anxiety and upset as wound care tells me that they cannot see her because the wound is closed. Wound care advises me to call the pediatrician for a referral to a neurologist. After repeated calls to the pediatrician and messages we hear nothing. Finally this afternoon the pediatrician office calls and says head to New Orleans and go through the ER to see a neurologist. I reach out to my sister the family RN. She makes a few phone calls and suggests the ortho team at Memorial before leaving town. We swing by Memorial and they do X-rays and a few Drs. perform simple neuro exams. They tell me they are pretty sure that she has nerve damage along with tendon, muscle, and ligaments, and needs to go to a neuro but they are going to call the orthopedic surgeon for a consult. The orthopedic surgeon says that he cannot touch her until a neuro surgeon sees her. They put a splint from the bottom of the wound to the tip of her toes and send us to New Orleans. Here we are with the recently applied splint now off after yet another simple neuro exam waiting full lower extremity X-rays and more.

Exit wound. Monday Am.
Exit wound. Monday Am.
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Exit wound Tuesday
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Entry site Tuesday
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Dr Magann’s excuse Monday.
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Memorial triage Wednesday night.
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Thursday 2:30 am at New Orleans Children's Hospital
Thursday 2:30 am at New Orleans Children’s Hospital
Please pray for answers and healing for our Laken!

#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury