It is official – if he gets cardiac clearance, below-the-knee amputation surgery will be next Thursday, 7/15.
Monday, 7/12, he will have a thallium stress test to see how his heart is. If he passes, the doctor will schedule the surgery. The plan is that he will be in the hospital for 3-5 days depending on how he does. The first 2-3 three days he’ll have his right leg in a splint to keep it straight so the thigh muscle doesn’t contract and force his knee in a bent position. If that happens, they’ll be unable to straighten it back out well enough for a prosthesis.
While he is in the hospital, they will set up for him to be transferred to a rehab facility. The doctor has said that he’ll stay in rehab for 2-3 weeks, possibly four. About the time he’s ready to be released, they’ll fit him with the artificial leg and have him practice walking with it. By then, he should have learned how to transfer, how to bathe, how to dress, etc. (we hope).
There are a lot of things that can go wrong but without this surgery, he most likely would just not get better and the infection would spread up his leg or get into his bloodstream. He has a rough road ahead of him. I'm not looking forward to traveling this road. Not at all.
But, we do what we've got to do and make the best of it. Right? Right...
6 comments:
Oh, sweetie, we are all hanging in there with you. Lots of good thoughts and prayers are headed your way.
I am keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes. I pray that everything goes smoothly.
Yeah, we do what we have to do - but oh my! Thoughts and prayers with you.
oxox
Denalee
You already have my email - but just know that we are here thinking and praying for you. Love to you both.
I will keep good thoughts for you all as you travel down this road. I have also been down this path and I can tell you both that it will be something you are grateful for in the end. It's a lot of work but it will get better. Please email me if you need to talk. take care. j
Sounds like the surgery is the best option for now. I will pray for the both of you.
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