OT ... Update from NY on Sarah

First of all, let me take a moment to thank each and everyone of you who has extend the warm hand of friendship. I would say it means more than you know, but I know that you do know ... I just want you to know how much your love, concern, prayers and friendship mean to me during such a difficult time. It's incredibly heartwarming.

Just a note to let you know how Sarah is doing. She had a rough day yesterday. Her pain got out of control ... an 8 on a scale of 0 to 10, by this morning they had down to a managable about a 4.5. Dr. Feldman, the residents, the pediatrician, the anethesiologiest and nurses have all been in to see the girl. Dr. Feldman has ordered the epidural removed and it was just done. This was to allow Sarah to begin PT which she is a bit apprehensive about. There is a machine that will help bend her knee to 20 degrees. While it is painful and Sarah is dreading it, it's being done early to keep her from developing scar tissue that would limit her range of motion in the long run. He expects her knee to no longer dislocate, but of course cannot gaurantee that it will stay in place. He also expects that she may not have quite as much range of motion as she used to have. He lengthened her quadracept to keep it from pulling  her kneecap out of place. He said that the reason that she could flex her knee so much before surger was because the kneecap always came out of place in order for her knee to bend and flex. Now it should bend and flex without sliding or 'popping' out of place, however, she'll not have the same 'range of motion' she had before. That said, the knee should be much more stable and she should still have 'enough' range of motion to allow her to function.

They removed the epidural and have put her on oxycontin for pain control. She'll be getting it every 4 hours. They have ordered liquid morphine to manage 'break through'  pain control. She's experiencing a lot pain since she's been removed from the epidural ... enough that it's causing nausea, so she's also getting Zofran to help quell the nausea. As I write this she's resting. She is also being given antibiotics because she still has the wound site drains in place; they are doing this to try to prevent infection. She has been running a fever off and on, but this is normal for the first 72 hours post-op. She is also anemic, so she's being started on oral iron twice a day to raise her serum ferritin levels. The phsycal therapist came by about an hour ago to do the PT, but her pain was back at an 8 and she was feeling nauseaous. She was given some more pain meds and Zofran and we rescheduled the PT. I'm waiting for the PT to happen later this afternoon.Dr. Feldman expects her to stay in the hospital another 2 or 3 days.

I'm working on trying to eat okay ... I've been staying at the hospital 24/7 at this point. Sleeping off and on. Had a kidney stone attack last night, but thank goodness for some Torodal!

Thanks to all again for all of the prayers, warmth and love expressed to both of us. They are truly appreciated.

Barb

Hang in there Barb. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Sarah. goldie23

thanks barb ... I hope you are well.

I truly appreciate the support and prayers.

barb

((((hugs))))

thanks. b

You know that you guys are being supported by prayers and good thoughts here in NC.  If you need anything Barb.. please let me know.

Jen,

Thanks for the prayers and good thoughts. I hope you are recovering gently.

Barb

BIG (((((HUGS))))) & good drugs to both of you!! Kelly

Thanks Kelly ... I'd welcome good drugs and some good sleep ;)

Barb,

You and Sarah have been in my prayers! I keep checking back to see if you have left us recent updates. Hang in there and wish Sarah the best of luck with her PT!!