Yesterday, Mom and I took Sugar Belle to her post op appointment. It was interesting to say the least. We had a 2 and a half hour wait to see the doctor. Hmm… didn’t really like that part. Especially when it was one of those situations were people came in after we did, and then got in to see the Doc and left, and we were still waiting….hmmm yeah.
However, the visit with the Doc went very well…all five minutes of it ( no exaggeration). He showed us the x-rays, of her leg, before it was set and after the pins were put in place. He explained in more detail what they had done, and what we should expect. Basically, they inserted 2 flexible titanium pins from her knee to her hip, through the bone. These pins hold the bone in place, in lieu of a cast, so that the bone is stable and can heal. We will go back in 3 weeks for an x-ray to measure her progress, and another follow up with the Doc.
When I asked about her physical therapy, the Doc seemed confused. So, I told him the whole story about the PT at the hospital. I explained that the PT said Sugar Belle would need physical therapy 2-3 times a week. However, when she learned we are self-pay, she sent us home with a sheet of exercises. I explained that we had found someone who was willing to help us with the therapy in exchange for baked goods ;) but that we needed a script so the PT would know what to do with Shug. Again, he seemed confused. He told us that he would be at a loss at to how to write a script for PT for an 8 year old with this break. Come to find out, it isn’t necessary. He told us to let her be an 8 year-old. Whatever she feels confident that she can do, we should let her do it. Wow! What a blessing!
We also received another blessing, of sorts. I found out today that the bill we received from this Doc (the surgeon) covers her visits from the Doc at the hospital, the surgery, all follow up appointments, and removing the pins in 6-9 months. We also learned that the pins would be removed right there in his office, not at the hospital. Sweet! So, the only new charges we will acquire with the surgeon will be follow up x-rays. Thank you Lord!
Being the cheeky 8 year-old that she is, Sugar Belle came home and took the Doc literally. This is how I found her while I was attempting to clean the kitchen.
Seriously?!?! She gave me a heart attack. Climbed up there all by herself….
Look at that smile….I’m pretty sure she’s thinking, “Should I be smiling? Mom’s kind of freaked out…”
Mr. OverKill got home right about then, and he gave her the go ahead to try out the slide.
So she did.
And she was surprised and happy to be able to do it.
Why is it that, as her parents, we’ve been telling her for 2 weeks “You can do whatever you feel comfortable with!” But she didn’t believe us. No, she believes a complete stranger…sure he’s got that fancy schmancy medical degree and all…but still….
I have a sneaking suspicion that she will be running around like normal before too long.