but Matthew's x-ray totally made me think of Steve Austin (NOT the wrestler/ actor-- follow the link above if you are confused). For those who can't tell from the picture, Matthew's now sporting an assortment of 3 plates and 9 screws in his left leg. And while I know it won't cost us anywhere near Six Million Dollars, it isn't going to be cheap.<sigh>The great news is that after over 4 hours of surgery and a hospital stay of almost 3 days, Matthew was able to return home with all the hardware in place to help his tibia and fibula heal. The not so good news is he was still in a fair amount of pain for another week or more. It's only been the last few days (and we're now almost 4 weeks post-op) that he's really seeming to be pain-free most of the time and having an easier time getting around on his own. He's still on crutches... which are far more glamorous than the walker he was stuck with for the first week and a half.
At his 10 day post-surgical visit, the doctor removed the temp cast/ hard splint (ie plaster that didn't go all the way around his leg) and told him to pick his cast color. Being a unique sort of fellow, Matthew chose the rare option of day-glo orange. It looks great, as you can see. We've all had a lot of fun writing our pithy advice on the cast. Some of his RC friends even sent their remarks via text for Zac to write in proxy. He still has some empty space, so feel free to send your words to me for adding to the "leg of fame."We hope in another week or so to be out of the cast, but for now Matthew still needs to have his leg elevated when he's not moving around to be comfortable Happily, he can make it in and out of the bathroom on his own and has even started making/getting some of his own food again. He is doing so much better, which makes his mother's heart sing!
But does he really look faster? That'll have to come later, I guess.
6 comments:
There are words for the "leg of fame" to come from the usually quick-witted but currently numb from exhaustion Stoeckers. Here are some words of encouragement; we are SOOO glad Matthew is (mostly) in one piece again and so happy he is feeling better. We are praying for a speedy recovery and only small stress on the family (beyond what you've already experienced, of course!)
Love you all!
Sheesh. What an ordeal. Inquiring minds want to know: Was he requiring help INSIDE the bathroom too? If so, who drew that short straw?
Thanks, Mag!
And to answer those inquiring minds, Lib, no one had to help THAT much. He IS a 14yo boy and would have died rather than accept that much help.
But it is nice to have him capable of getting in there all on his own. The only problem now is I jump up every time I hear something fall as I'm worried it's him falling and breaking his leg again-- or pulling the screws out. That's not so great for a mother's heart!
so glad to know he is doing so much better! what a total nightmare! especially for whoever had to be on chamber pot duty. and also for matthew, i guess.
are you guys getting settled into your new house? i'm dying to see pictures!
New house will be the next post... which will also not be a year from now. It just never goes as smoothly as one would wish... moving, that is. But watch for the nest post for more details!
Tell Drew that if he likes some of the pictures that I took of LA. If he e-mailed me I can send them to him. The pictures look really good in black and white.
Post a Comment