Benjamin had an appointment with his orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday. We got there early and they had him do some CT scans. We waited in the office. The surgeon came in and closed the door behind him. He said, "The left leg is healing really good. The right leg is not. It's what we call a non-union. I am pessimistic since I deal with trauma, but I'm going to try to be patient. We'll get you a bone stimulator that we'll have you wear for 20 minutes a day for three months. At the end of 3 months, we'll look at it again."
We had been praying for better news, but there was some good news there. He is ahead of most as far as his left leg is concerned. He is released to go back to work on Monday! He doesn't have to wear the boot anymore! He'll still go to physical therapy three times a week. He is making great strides there. Speaking of strides, click the arrow on the video below to see Benjamin walking with no boot and no walker. He's getting better every day!
We asked what the surgery would look like, if the bone in the right leg doesn't heal in 3 months. He told us that, if necessary, the surgery could be scheduled at 6 months, 9 months, or whatever. He would miss 2 weeks of work. It would involve removing the existing hardware (plates, screws, etc.) and putting in new hardware, along with cement. I'm not sure I got all that right. Hopefully it won't come to that.
The doctor was happy that Benjamin hasn't been on any pain meds and has cut his Gabapentin down to only one pill a day. That's the pill for nerve pain. He's tried going without it, but has trouble sleeping. We asked about the tingling and the numbness in his right foot and right hand. The doctor said that the tingling meant that feeling could come back. He said that if the foot and hand is numb, it may be like that permanently, but said that's not chiseled in stone. He's seen it come back.
The doctor wants to get him back to work as quickly as possible. He told us that Benjamin could be released to drive in another month. We kept it quiet that I've already been letting him drive on back roads on the way back from therapy. For the time being, we'll be dropping him off at work and picking him up. Traffic where he works in Lake Charles (actually, Westlake, LA) is a little more hectic than around here.
Although not the overall report we prayed for, we're going to focus on the positive and still work hard and move forward. He's been really working hard at rehab and we're proud of him. Benjamin has an appointment at the neurosurgeon's office in Lafayette tomorrow afternoon. They will review the CT scans and make determinations on releasing him and/or discussing limitations.
Thank you for your continued concern and especially your earnest prayers. God is so good to us. Even if He did nothing more for us, we praise Him. It's from Him that all Blessings flow.
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