December 15, 2009 Goodbye fixator! After almost five months, Nathan has broken free from this hunk of metal on his leg. While his bones are doing their final
healing, Nathan will have on a removable walking cast and, as soon as possible, an ankle-foot-orthotic (AFO). This is a simple foot brace that he has had before, but wasn't much use to him with the curved-in foot
and other issues that are now corrected. We showed up to Florida and went right to the hospital for pre-op and x-rays. By now we know many of the health care workers pretty well. Later, we met with Dr.
Paley briefly. The next morning, from 8 to 9 am he was in surgery. By the time he was up and ready to leave the hospital, it was around 1 pm. Ready to fly home tomorrow. Dr. Paley came by to tell us
that he can get an AFO right away and toss the cast! The cast is only for stability until the AFO is made and is to be removed for physical therapy, which will intensify now that we are done. We were very
surprised to learn that we did not have to make another trip until March and that the hard part was over for him. Physical therapy and occasional visits are the next focus. Will he need the AFO after
March? Who knows. But right now things couldn't have gone any better. We cannot say enough good things about Dr. Paley and his staff. Christmas came early this year! |
