Followers

16 April 2011

If you're gonna have an injury, make it a beaut!



This is the back of my right thigh right above my knee.

I was pulling weeds and the next thing I remember is being on the ground and thinking, "I must have SCRATCHED myself on that corner fence post." 

When I drew back a handful of blood I decided there was no way I could dodge ER on this one, especially since I needed to update my tetanus.

3 internal stitches
7 external stitches
1 tetanus shot
Large bandage around the whole leg
Antibiotics and Vicodin later

I got to come home.

Nurse Kelli is changing the dressing daily and I have a Dr. apt. on Tuesday to check on its healing progress. 

When we got home, I had to return to the scene of the crime and it was a little disconcerting to find my thigh guts on the post. 

'nuff said.

It is very sore and I am allowed to be escorted by my husband to the bathoom and head back to my recliner with my leg propped up on pillows.  I can't crochet because the arm HURTS where I got the tetanus shot. 

Calling all prayers and prayers of prayers!

Kiereney's shunt will be turned off on 28 April.

On 5 May at 10:30 a.m. we will hed to St. Louis University Hospital and have a stereotactic CT of her head done.  We see the surgeon at 11:15.  IF the ventricles have enlarged to allow him to put a shunt in, she will go to surgery at 5:30 the next morning on her brother's birthday.  We have no other details at this time.  The biggie is to see if the ventricles have enlarged from shutting down the lumboperitoneal shunt.

If not, then we will be referred to a pain management clinic.

Kelli has reservations on the surgery since it's the brain, Kiereney is tired of pain but thinks everyone(doctors, family, etc) will be mad at her if she doesn't have it.  As Kelli says, Kiereney is a people pleaser.  She needs to advocate for her OWN desires as it is her body.  Whatever she chooses is her choice and will have no repercussions from this mom.

My opinion?

I feel that the fact that we were able to get her back on our insurance in what looked like a hopeless challenge is a sign to investigate if the surgery is doable(have the CT scan, talk to the neurosurgeon).  Of course, I have a lot of confidence in the neurosurgeon and if he says he can successfully get the shunt into her cerebral artery then I believe and trust him and pray that this will put an end to the pseudotumor cerebri chapter of her life so she can get on with living her life.  This has been a 3 year battle and she will be 25 in November.  Hard to watch your child suffer.

Like every other surgery, no guarantees that it will work or there won't be complications.  But I feel if God brings us to it, God will bring us through it.

And I'm still believing.

Have a phenomenal weekend and I will update as I can. 



7 comments:

Laura~peach~ said...

leg looks horrid! glad itwas not worse. hope all goes well with KJ's ventricles.
was so glad to see you guys again! :)

Debbie said...

Oh my goodNESS! I know that hurts like hell.

I've got your kiddos (both) in my prayers. May is going to be a big month for you! ((Hugs)) and you take care of that leg!

TonjiaT said...

Ness! good grief, that is some puncture wound! Sit back and relax this weekend, I am sure it is pretty sore.

Prayers are in the works for Kierney, she has been through so much. I hope this works for her, she deserves a break!!

joanne said...

well you know I'm on the prayer wagon for all of you. Holy smokes, that leg looks pretty bad. So glad you went to the ER...keep it up and I'll have to come over there! Take care, call you soon..;j

Debbie said...

Oh Ness, I know that hurt. We all need to stay upright instead of on the ground. Take it easy, let it heal and be careful! I pray for your family daily. Love you..

God Bless~
Debbie

WinnyNinny PooPoo said...

Good Heavens - I don't know what you were weeding but don't pull up any of that again - its vengeful! So glad you did not hit an artery - that looks terrible. Praying for quick healing and no infections. Hoping the psuedotumor cerebri gets the kobosh put to it for Kierney!

Laura said...

It has been so long since I've visited...so much going on for you Ness...I will be praying for you and your beloveds for continued healing. I'm so happy to read in the post above that your son is home safe. Dear sweet woman, this life is so full of hardship, and equally full of love...that is what I am discovering daily...focusing on the love part.