Back at CHOA!

Here we are again for a revision of Joy's "Ex-Fix". The procedure Thursday morning went well......except for a surprise reopening of an incision which required stitches. This afternoon we moved into the rehab unit on the third floor @ Scottish Rite. Didn't do too much PT today, Joy is still really sore from the workout her hip and knee got while under anesthesia! Dr. Flanagan moved Joy's leg all around, and made sure everything could still bend. It can, it'll just hurt like crazy! Joy got up and into the wheelchair for a while, and is now back in bed. Transfers were super painful and there was lots of screaming. Not to mention the trauma caused by the phlebotomist as she poked Joy in the arm for a blood sample. She says her arm STILL HURTS and it's been hours since it happened. Thank goodness she's asleep now and it's nice and quiet! Whew. Tomorrow the real fun begins.

Happy Joy!

Found out that Joy got accepted into the rehab program at Scottish Rite! After her external fixator revision on Thursday morning, she'll be moved to a room on the rehabilitation floor for a week of intense physical therapy. She has a lot of catching up to do since she hasn't had any PT since leaving the hospital.

Mother's Day Card

Joy's homebound teacher had Joy make me a card and they hid it in her bed. I found it on Mother's Day! So Sweet!

Field Day!!!

Joy's first outing to school since surgery! Her friends were happy to see her! Joy loved showing off her hardware, (and freaking out some of her buddies.....) The reclining wheelchair is not a great "off-road" vehicle, but we managed the bumpy ride with only a few tears. Stayed for lunch, then a few more games, and she was ready to go home. Glad we went!!

Special EMPTY bus!

Before Joy had her ex-fix surgery, she had one last 3rd grade field trip to attend. They were very nice to order her a full-sized School bus that had a wheelchair lift! Her classmates were excited to watch her go up the lift and into the bus, and they happily piled on the bus after her. As we were all getting settled, someone announced that the class was not allowed to ride on the "special" bus, and everyone left except me and Joy. I was never given any explanation for this sudden ruling, and the bus driver explained that his bus was designed to keep the wheelchair bound kids with their class!!! Made him mad too! So, we had the whole bus to ourselves there and back, and we made the best of it. By the way, the field trip was a tour of a sewage treatment plant......yup. Stinky!

Sweet girl.....

How does this sweet Joy turn into a screaming crying mess after a little Pin-Care?????

Getting out and about....

Here are some pictures of Joy to show how we transport her in the car. First, help her out of bed and onto walker. Load wheelchair and parts/pillows into back of car. Put EZ-on Vest on Joy. Help her lift leg into car, and slide into position.(laying flat in backseat) Buckle two seatbelts thru vest straps. Put walker in back of car. Drive carefully to destination, avoiding bumps whenever possible. When you get there, unbuckle vest,carefully help her out of car and onto walker, set-up wheelchair and pillow placement, help her into wheelchair, and strap left leg to chair with an ace bandage to ensure it won't slip off. DONE! This is why we don't get out much, but it CAN be done!!!!!