The Surgery Story

Ever since I came home from surgery you both have been asking oodles of questions about it... yet nothing specific at the same time. I'm going to write this story in hopes of giving you some insight into the 4 W's & H.

It all began 4 years ago, I remember it was a rainy, cloudy, gloomy April 23, 2008. I went to see Dr. Wilcox at Bay Street Orthopedics, he took an xray of my knee because I was falling down a lot and having pain on the outside of my knee. I remember sitting there looking at that xray before Dr. Wilcox could even say a word, I knew what that bright white spot on the xray was... that began the journey to meeting Dr. Rubert who was then down in West Branch. She is a orthopedic oncologist who is renowned for dealing with bone tumors. The first meeting with Dr. Rubert was the only one we had before the first surgery took place. You both came with daddy and I to the first appointment. Dr. Rubert (from what we have come to realize) takes her time with each of her patients so if we wanted quality care; we had to endure the long waits. She looked at the xray and could tell us that she was 99% confident this was a Giant Cell Tumor in my femur.. When we all left Dr. Rubert's office we had no questions left to ask... we had no concerns... we felt relieved to think that if this was the type of tumor to have this is the best kind. I had the first surgery on June 18th, during this you stayed with Grandma Deb & Grandpa Lou. Grandma Deb came to live with us during the week for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Grandma Sandee came as well, and stayed with us on the days Grandma Deb tutored. We had a revolving door of people during that summer.

February 2, 2011, out of the blue, mommy missed the bottom three steps going into the basement (because I was carrying Christmas boxes) and landed on my knee. In that instant I knew something was wrong, I could feel how unstable the knee was but I had hoped it would just improve. I let the pain go for a while then in May I knew I had to go back and get it checked. I tried to see Dr. Wilcox at Bay Street Orthopedics again but he wasn't much help. So back down to Dr. Rubert we went. This trip was just made by daddy and I since you both were in school all day. After an MRI and some leg "stressors" Dr. Rubert does in office she proclaimed that surgery was the best option again, because it looked like an LCL tear that had detached from the bone. So, on a beautiful Thursday morning on the 23rd of June; mommy had her second surgery. For this surgery you both were actually there and got to see me right before and right after. It worked out great because Grandma Deb brought you down and brought you back to her house where you played the afternoon away with Abby & Jordy. Daddy stayed with mommy in the hospital room and took care of me when the nurses were too busy. I came home the next afternoon and you both were my very best helpers! We didn't need anyone to say with us this time because we were much more self-sufficient.

In May of 2012, mommy was experiencing a lot of pain in the front of the knee and after another MRI, Dr. Rubert came to the conclusion that I may have torn my meniscus or scar tissue was building up and she needed to clean it out to give me a fresh start. This surgery was quick and minor; I had surgery on May 15 and was walking again by the time Kailee had her birthday slumber party. Everything was great until May 25, mommy was going to stand up out of the chair when I felt a rip or tearing sensation on the side of knee. It progressively got worse. Dr. Rubert didn't want to do surgery right away she wanted to see if Physical Therapy would help but the longer we went more new symptoms popped up; like the top part of my foot was numb and then the side of my foot, then the front of my leg. So, when we went back in for another follow up on September 4, she informed me that surgery is the best option; especially since the symptoms were getting worse. So, after a lot of talking she agreed that doing an LCL replacement and a peroneal nerve decompression would be best.

Mommy had to call on Wednesday Oct 10, to see what time I had to be at the hospital on Thursday, Oct 11. (Daddy and I were hoping for something later so we could get you ready for school.) But, they wanted mommy there at 6:15 a.m. So, Grandma Sandee volunteered to come at 4:30 a.m. to sit with you both and help get you ready for school. Grandma Deb met mommy and daddy in Boyne Falls were we played cat and mouse all the way to Grayling.

This picture was taken at 7:25 a.m. right before mommy was going back to surgery. Daddy sent it to Miss Kelly to show you both that I was doing great! Still happy and smiling! The surgery started at 7:32 a.m. and lasted until 1 p.m. It was a long surgery but very worth it.

After surgery the nurses took good care of me and give me lots of medicine to make me feel better. When you came home from school Friday, Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou were waiting for you! From what I understand you had a lot of fun, sorting box tops, doing homework, looking through Thursday folders, and of course playing board games like Sorry! It was also Grandpa Bob's birthday today,  you each had made him a tie and so Grandpa Bob & Grandma Sandee stopped over briefly so you could give him his birthday goodies. You both went to bed well for Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou which was wonderful. Knowing you both were doing so well is the reason I was able to come home to you on Friday!

When I came home; these beautiful I missed you and I love you pictures were hanging on the door for me. It makes me all misty eyed to think about how much you love me... because there is no way you can ever love me as much as I love you.

Thank you my sweet girls for being so good to everyone who had cared for you over the last 2 days. You accept change much better than I thought and I am very pleased to see how well you adapt. You make me so proud!