Stephanie's surgery

Yesterday Stephanie had surgery on her leg and foot.  The Achilles tendon was way too short.  It had caused a lot of problems with her foot and the way it grew.  She has been in severe pain when walking or standing so it was time to go in and get it all fixed.  

We got there at 7am and they checked her in and had her mark her foot.  Maybe this is because with everything they have going on they don't have time to remember trivial things like which side is left and which is right. :)

They prepped her for surgery.  It took awhile to get her ready.  Jacob came along to support me while I supported Stephanie.  But mostly I think he came for the free juice.

We were all very brave until right when they gave her an IV med to start the process of going to sleep.  The nurse said "Ok, you should give your mom a kiss good-bye"  Terrible wording.  Made us both start crying.  Then they added the med to her drip and wheeled her away.  The surgery lasted about 4 hours.  The first couple of hours she was on her stomach while they fixed the tendon.  That incision is about 10 inches.  The 2nd half of the surgery they rolled her over while she was sleeping and that is when they did the bone cutting, straightened the bones out and put in the plate and screws.  The incision in the top of her foot is about 8 inches.  Rolling her over with her breathing tube in place ended up causing a sore throat but it was better than being awake for half of it which was her other option.

Jacob and mom had breakfast in the cafeteria, watched The Price is Right in the waiting room.  Played battle ship, talked on the phone and texted to pass the time.  Once they came to say the surgery had gone well and that Steph would go back to her room in half an hour we snuck to the cafeteria for lunch.  That was about 1:00.

Then we went to her room and she was already there but still asleep.  So we took a picture of her leg.

It was a bit rough coming around and getting ready to go home so we didn't get out of there till about 4:00.  They gave us a nice photo for the scrapbook.   This shows the plate and pins mid-foot, holding everything together.

We got Papa Murphys for dinner.  Got home around 6:00.  We all watched Tangled and then crashed.  It was such a long day.  I would have taken a picture of the end of our day but I was just too tired! 

Today she is doing well.  Taking some meds for pain and keeping her leg iced and elevated.  We made her ice bags using several layers of wal-mart bags so they wouldn't leak and packed them around her leg.  This is helping with the pain and swelling. 

I have received so many offers of help and meals.  Thanks everyone.  We are doing well. We have so many helpers here.  But we will take you up on offers of prayers for a quick recovery and as little pain as possible.  Pain is an issue and just part of the process but our Lord and Savior is already granting peace and strength. 

Thank you Father God for bringing Stephanie through surgery safely, and for guiding the surgeons hands as he worked.