During week three we finished preparing for B2S. On Thursday I went to the main campus to discuss Laken starting school in a wheelchair. They were very understanding about the fact that it is impossible to get anything other than sweats or basketball shorts over the leg, and gave her free dress bottoms until further notice. Again our hearts our so thankful that we were met with kindness and acceptance.
Friday brings us to the first day of school. Here, our celebratory photo shows Laken with crutches although she started with “Big Blue”.
After school Laken was in so much pain. Not sure if it was caused by all the walking on the boot that morning or if it was the sitting in one position all day. Finally she was able to get some relief that night.
Saturday, we decided to brave the rain for a quick mall trip. I do not advise anyone to head to the mall in a torrential downpour with a wheelchair! We were soaked, and the glares from all the do-gooders were enough to make me want to crawl under the nearest clothing rack.
On Monday, (second day of school) Laken walked around the house in the boot without crutching before school. I still made her take BB again today just so she wasn’t trampled in the hall. Around 11 she called for pain medicine. That night I had a band meeting and she headed to rehearsal, as a spectator in BB.
7:50 am Tuesday and we are headed to New Orleans to pick up the AFO (ankle foot orthotic). Due to flooding we are prepared to have some delays and have mapped out a course just south of I10 in Crowley and North of I10 in Baton Rouge. I10 closed at exit 64 as I expected, at which we tried three different routes to no avail and finally sought advice from LADOTD. He said LA26 to 190 to LA73 to I10 needless to say the devastation we saw brought tears. Our heartfelt prayers go out to our fellow Louisianans’. #LouisianaStrong Guess what it’s raining cats and dogs in New Orleans. With white knuckles we arrive to CH NOLA at 1:30 the exactly on time.
We get to the small exam room for our appointment and the Dr. washes Laken’s hypersensitive foot and leg causing no pain. (How in the world is this possible?) He starts the fitting and makes some adjustments. We discuss the fact that most of the time AFO’s are used for permanent conditions. We discuss the future surgeries and current condition of leg.
He tells us what can occur and says, “I do not want to give you false hope, you never know what will happen and take it one day at a time. Whatever does happen, it will never be what it was before!”
Tennis shoes do not fit over the AFO, because of the swelling of the entire leg. Dr. says the more the leg is used the less swelling there will be. But for now we head home with her AFO IN THE BOOT. A quick stop at our newly found fav place New Orleans Hamburgers and Seafood Co. and we are back on the road and our detours due to Louisiana Flooding. We arrive home sometime around 9pm, what a day. Now we prepare for tomorrow. No uniform bottoms will work, sweats it is.
My baby WALKED into school Wednesday! With adidas slides (shower shoes, HAHA) and her AFO, wearing sweats she walked into school this morning at 5:40 (to support the team at morning practice) such a thrilling site to see!
She was in so much pain when I picked her up. She’s complaining of burning off and on, I’m going to take this as a good sign!! 🙏🏼
Thursday is here and because of severe pain she is unable to attend practice or make tonights performance for McNeese Cowboy Kickoff Dinner. She agonizingly wore uniform pants today because kids were giving her flack about her sweats. 😬Thursday night brings even more pain and MORE SWELLING! She really wanted to go to the performance, and we were both sad that we missed it.
Today is Friday and she is feeling it, truth be told so am I. We have a call into the Doctor regarding the severe pain and swelling. Hopefully meds can be upped or changed.
Tonight we are going to MeMaw’s for Kenzie’s gender reveal and are hoping that Laken is able to enjoy herself with little pain.
I cannot explain to you how thrilling and exciting it is to see her walk! One day at a time and one step at a time she will heal and we will handle what comes. We are hopeful that with each surgery mobility will improve, and she will once again feel the sand between her wiggling toes, and feel the wet blades of grass under her feet.
Again, we Thank you all for your kindness and genuine love!
Stay tuned, this story is far from over.
#LakensLeg #PeronealNerveDamage #NerveTransfer #Neuroplasty #PeronealNerve #FootDrop #PeronealNerveInjury
immrspowers 