Sometime over the next couple of days Ryan will be going out to see an orthopedic surgeon. Really, I wish I could just tell you when this will happen, but I don’t like the idea of people knowing I’m not home. Yes, the house will be occupied by work crews and is under constant surveillance from neighbors and electronics… but I learned nearly 21 months ago there are evil people in this world. People who really don’t care just how precious something is to be taken.
My hope is to have as much done during this visit as possible. Making these outings is just too damn difficult to not. No kidding, I’ll begin pulling stuff together throughout the day. The list is crazy… water, formula, diapers, condoms, feeding syringes, suction, change of clothes, eye ointment, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, oral swabs, pulse-ox, thermometer, list of medications, urine bags, goggles, ointments, and the list goes on (I’m just too lazy to keep thinking about it). Before some smart ass even asks, yes, this is Ryan’s list. Not mine.
The primary reason we’re going is to begin correcting a “non-union” in his forearm (the ulna) that resulted from a complete break during a therapy session early in the year. This was not handled well — not at all — when it happened early this year, so it never healed. I’d also like to see if there might be something the doctor can do to help in correcting Ryan’s foot drop (plantar flexion) in the left ankle.
Diagram of Ryan's plantar flexion (via midwestsportsfan.com)
I have, through endless hours of stretching and range-of-motion, reversed the foot drop in his right ankle and made some progress on the left… but not enough. I think maybe some ligament surgery (release) might be worth the down time. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there is calcification, fusing the bones together, and limiting mobility.
Thank you for the update, Ken. We’ll be thinking about you, and hoping everything will be resolved. I presume (and hope) that the “foot drop” is from inactivity and can be corrected with therapy. Don’t like to think about a surgical procedure on his arm, but that seems inevitable. Always here with thoughts, prayers and hope. Love
Ken,
What an amazing list of items to be gathered for one excursion out of the house! You are so true about not wanting people to know when you are gone. Though I still believe there are more good people than evil, we must be vigilant.
Any time you need someone to watch the house, please know I am available.
Much love to all of Team Diviney~ Jen
Good luck with the surgeon. Always thinking of you all.
Hope all goes well with the surgeon. What are the condoms for though?
We didn’t want Ryan to have an indwelling urine catheter (Urinary Tract Infections are more likely), so a condom catheter is used instead.
Hello Ken,
Reading that list was unreal. How you keep track of everything is pretty incredible. I, too, would watch your house if you needed me to. Praying for the surgeon to come up with the best plan possible to repair Ryan’s arm (I’m still upset about that too) as well as his foot. You are a remarkable man, Ken, and your kids will always know that their Mom and Dad are there for them, in the best and in the worst of times. We are here for you and your family, you can count on us, Ken. God bless you.
Hugs, love and prayers always being lifted up…..Paula
Ken, Hoping all goes well with surgeon and that Ryan’s arm and foot can be corrected without too much bother or pain to him .Always in my thoughts and prayers, Good Luck. Love Gail
Good luck with the procedure Ken. We’ll say an extra prayer for Ryan.