Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Susan and Steve took the early morning to be together at the House. David Pippenger came by first thing in the morning and then Jeanne and I arrived around 9:30.
We were standing, holding Shea’s hands and stroking her forehead, and Jeanne said, “Shea, open your eyes for us, OK?” And the left eye opened just a little bit. It was so good to see that response to specific request. Shea was able to do that to multiple requests by Jeanne.
Dr. Julie Wynne, head of the surgical team that did the trach and feeding tube procedures yesterday came by to check in. She said all was well.
No Knee Surgery Now
At 10:30 Dr. Gregory Lee, the orthopedic surgeon came by to examine Shea’s right knee. There are four collateral ligaments in the knee area, the lateral, medial, anterior and posterior. So the designations are LCL, MCL, ACL and PCL.
He examined the kneed by removing it from the immobilizer and flexing it. He was also guided by his review of the MRI. Here’s Dr Lee’s analysis.
The LCL and ACL have no damage. The MCL is completely torn and the PCL sustained a partial injury. We already knew this and have reported it before but this just confirms the prior assessment.
The good news is that the two ligaments which are damaged, the MCL and PCL, will probably heal in time without surgery. He said the if the ACL and MCL had been damaged, it would have been necessary to do the repair immediately. But they are fine.
All of which is very good news. There had been talk of doing some reconstructive surgery on Friday, immediately after the facial surgery, but Dr. Lee said emphatically that it is not required at this time. When I asked him how much time it would have taken to repair the knee, he said 3-4 hours. So the good news is that Shea will be spared that on Friday.
He said that, in the accident, the right leg was splayed out to the right and the joint where the femur and tibia meet was severely stressed resulting in micro fractures. He said that joint took a tremendous blow (and the MRI confirmed that).
The mid-term prognosis: the right knee will remain in the immobilizer for two weeks; then they will use a hinged knee brace for about 6-8 weeks in conjunction with physical therapy.
The long-term prognosis: there is a small chance that if the PCL doesn’t heal completely or if there is a lengthening of this ligament (which creates an excessive laxity in the knee) corrective surgery may be needed. Dr. Lee said that her range of motion should be as good as normal or very nearly so. The only long-lasting challenge might be some slight increased tendency to develop arthritis at the site.
Feeding Tube
We talked to Amy Scott, the RN who, by the way, was on duty when Shea came to the pediatric ICU last Saturday. Amy was giving Shea her first feeding through the feeding tube they put in yesterday. Shea got about one ounce the first hour and they’ll increase that through the day, so that by tomorrow morning, all her nutrition will be via the feeding tube and nothing through IV. This reduces the risk of infection, keeps the bowels and stomach functioning.
Amy said that in a trauma situation they want to make the transition from IV to feeding tube as soon as possible so this is one more progress point to celebrate.
--Michael Anderson
We were standing, holding Shea’s hands and stroking her forehead, and Jeanne said, “Shea, open your eyes for us, OK?” And the left eye opened just a little bit. It was so good to see that response to specific request. Shea was able to do that to multiple requests by Jeanne.
Dr. Julie Wynne, head of the surgical team that did the trach and feeding tube procedures yesterday came by to check in. She said all was well.
No Knee Surgery Now
At 10:30 Dr. Gregory Lee, the orthopedic surgeon came by to examine Shea’s right knee. There are four collateral ligaments in the knee area, the lateral, medial, anterior and posterior. So the designations are LCL, MCL, ACL and PCL.
He examined the kneed by removing it from the immobilizer and flexing it. He was also guided by his review of the MRI. Here’s Dr Lee’s analysis.
The LCL and ACL have no damage. The MCL is completely torn and the PCL sustained a partial injury. We already knew this and have reported it before but this just confirms the prior assessment.
The good news is that the two ligaments which are damaged, the MCL and PCL, will probably heal in time without surgery. He said the if the ACL and MCL had been damaged, it would have been necessary to do the repair immediately. But they are fine.
All of which is very good news. There had been talk of doing some reconstructive surgery on Friday, immediately after the facial surgery, but Dr. Lee said emphatically that it is not required at this time. When I asked him how much time it would have taken to repair the knee, he said 3-4 hours. So the good news is that Shea will be spared that on Friday.
He said that, in the accident, the right leg was splayed out to the right and the joint where the femur and tibia meet was severely stressed resulting in micro fractures. He said that joint took a tremendous blow (and the MRI confirmed that).
The mid-term prognosis: the right knee will remain in the immobilizer for two weeks; then they will use a hinged knee brace for about 6-8 weeks in conjunction with physical therapy.
The long-term prognosis: there is a small chance that if the PCL doesn’t heal completely or if there is a lengthening of this ligament (which creates an excessive laxity in the knee) corrective surgery may be needed. Dr. Lee said that her range of motion should be as good as normal or very nearly so. The only long-lasting challenge might be some slight increased tendency to develop arthritis at the site.
Feeding Tube
We talked to Amy Scott, the RN who, by the way, was on duty when Shea came to the pediatric ICU last Saturday. Amy was giving Shea her first feeding through the feeding tube they put in yesterday. Shea got about one ounce the first hour and they’ll increase that through the day, so that by tomorrow morning, all her nutrition will be via the feeding tube and nothing through IV. This reduces the risk of infection, keeps the bowels and stomach functioning.
Amy said that in a trauma situation they want to make the transition from IV to feeding tube as soon as possible so this is one more progress point to celebrate.
--Michael Anderson
posted by admin | 8:05 PM
3 Comments:
Hey Shea! You are doing better. I am so glad! I miss you.
Love, Madison
Hi guys, I just got this from Jorge and Becky. Thought you would like to know that our sweet Argentine friends are praying for Shea. Do you remember the first time that met Shea?? I can still see the incredulous look on Becky's face. They thought Shea was teasing them because she was so sweet. They thought no one could be so kind at a first meeting! I love that memory.
Here's what they said:
Estamos orando por Shea y sabemos que Dios está moviendose y trabajadno en su vida y fortaleciendo a toda la familia, Gracias por mantenernos informados.
I don't speak Spanish like Sean, but I think loosely translated it means:
We are praying for Shea and know that God is moving and working in her life and strengthening the whole family. Thank you for keeping us updated.
You are so very loved,
Cate for Jor and Beck
Hey Luke! I just wanted to say Happy Birthday! So, girls have their sweet 16, but what is it called when guys turn 16? Hmm...I don't know...but, I hope it was a great one for ya! I can't believe you're 16 already! You've grown up so fast! Well, I hope you were able to spend your day with lots of friends and family!
Love,
Becca Noland <><
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