Yesterday my mom said "Bye bye best friend," as the respiratory nurse wheeled off the ventilator machine that, up until that day, had kept her breathing since Dec. 24th. She's officially breathing completely on her own! She also no longer requires dialysis - her kidneys are fully functional with the help of medication. She's also had a steady diet of ice and juice.
These are all wonderful things and I like to try to stay on the positive, but in all honesty we hit a bump in the road that distracted me from being fully appreciative of her miraculous improved health - her surgeon wanted to amputate further up both legs above the knees.
During the first surgery two weeks ago, the surgeon wanted to be as conservative as possible and only get rid of dead tissue. She informed us more amputation may be necessary if there was not enough viable tissue; my mother's legs were left open so they could monitor the healing. Unfortunately, the tibia (lower leg bone) is not long enough to accommodate prosthesis for walking on either leg... if my mother were to walk again it would require further amputation.
This was a huge blow to our momentum but after consulting with more family members we decided to get a second opinion; The surgery was scheduled for this morning and as a result was canceled so that we could buy time and become aware of all options while keeping my mother's rehabilitation and best interest in mind. The second opinion came in this morning that it might be possible to amputate through the knee (rather than above) so that she can have even greater chance of walking again. More leg length = easier to rehabilitate.
Obviously we're much happier with the second opinion. Please send positive, hopeful brain waves and prayers that my mother has enough viable tissue to cushion both amputations through the knee... we don't want it above the knee! :)
I don't know when the surgery will take place; the sooner the better - she has multiple open wounds on her legs that are going to require skin grafts which won't begin until the day of the surgery.
Thank you again for your continued support... and stay off icy roads!
Karen
P.S. She was approved to eat pureed food today. She's such a healing machine!
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October
13 years ago
Alicia said ...
ReplyDeleteI was happy and sad at the same time, when I read the latest update you posted on your mom. I was surprised when I went to visit her on Saturday, to see her in such good spirits after all she's been through. I couldn't help but chuckle when she asked you to scratch her back and she let out a little "teehee" from the relieve she got while you were scratching her back. Hope everything goes well with her surgery and be assured that even though we may not be there physically, we are with you and your family in spirit and prayers. Love you Karen, you are the best!!
Love,
Aunt Alice
My name's Andy Marso and I survived meningococcemia 5 years ago (I've been e-mailing back and forth with Leah). I just wanted to let you know that asking for second (and even third or fourth) opinions is always a good idea. This is such a rare disease that there's not much of a template for treating it and a plastic surgeon might have different recommendations than an orthopedic surgeon. I was told by multiple doctors that I should have my legs amputated below the knees, but my plastic surgeon was able to get me up and walking by just taking my toes. Don't let any doctor rush Dee into a decision that's irreversible.
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