Big Changes
Today brought big changes for Dad (and the rest of us!) when we learned that discharge plans were not only being made but were moving along at an unprecedented speed. We learned this afternoon that he would be discharged today to a nursing facility nearby. The transport was scheduled for 5:30pm, and at 5:15 in walked the people who would be moving Dad from his hospital room of the past two weeks to a new room at the nursing home (I want to call it something different because "nursing home" sounds like he's elderly and will stay there forever!). Since when does anything happen early in a hospital!?
The move itself went really well. Dad said it wasn't painful at all. When it came time to move him onto his new bed, six people lifted him on his sheet from the stretcher to the bed. It was all very smooth.
Time will tell how this new normal will treat Dad and everyone involved, but we chose this facility based on high recommendations from trusted friends, so we're hopeful this will be a positive phase of his recovery.
Now onto last night's surgery!
The orthopedic team operated on Dad's right tibia last night. All along I thought this was going to be a foot surgery, but I guess I was wrong! They installed a metal plate and some screws in the lower portion of his shin in order to stabalize/reinforce the broken tibia. The operation went well. The site is at high risk for infection because it is only against bone and skin, not muscle and soft tissue. I don't understand why that makes a difference, but that's what we were told so it's what I'm reporting. Someone at the hospital today said in response to our alarm at the suddenness of discharge that in terms of infection risk, it's best to get him out of the hospital as quickly as possible. That was reassuring. The doctors had all already concluded that he was ready to leave before this remark about infection risk was made, but it somehow made it easier to go with what the doctors were putting forth as a wise decision made in Dad's best interest.
The external fixator on Dad's right foot will remain in place for six weeks. We were told they need to be there long enough to keep things from moving too much while initial healing takes place, but not so long that they create long-term stiffness. It sounds like a very tricky balance, but six weeks was proposed as the magic number.
I'm not sure whether the fixators on the left foot will be in place for the same amount of time. The surgeon expects the damage to the left foot and lower leg to heal on its own without further surgery, which is why only the right leg was operated on last night. We still don't know what kind of long term function Dad will have in either leg or foot. More healing has to take place before that will become more clear.
Today has been a higher pain day for Dad post-surgery. Pray that the new facility and caregivers are able to keep his pain at bay so that he can rest tonight and get back to physical therapy as soon as he's able. I'm not sure whether there's a restriction on when he can do therapy post-surgery. I meant to ask someone to ask today and forgot. As usual, stay tuned, and please keep praying!
The move itself went really well. Dad said it wasn't painful at all. When it came time to move him onto his new bed, six people lifted him on his sheet from the stretcher to the bed. It was all very smooth.
Time will tell how this new normal will treat Dad and everyone involved, but we chose this facility based on high recommendations from trusted friends, so we're hopeful this will be a positive phase of his recovery.
Now onto last night's surgery!
The orthopedic team operated on Dad's right tibia last night. All along I thought this was going to be a foot surgery, but I guess I was wrong! They installed a metal plate and some screws in the lower portion of his shin in order to stabalize/reinforce the broken tibia. The operation went well. The site is at high risk for infection because it is only against bone and skin, not muscle and soft tissue. I don't understand why that makes a difference, but that's what we were told so it's what I'm reporting. Someone at the hospital today said in response to our alarm at the suddenness of discharge that in terms of infection risk, it's best to get him out of the hospital as quickly as possible. That was reassuring. The doctors had all already concluded that he was ready to leave before this remark about infection risk was made, but it somehow made it easier to go with what the doctors were putting forth as a wise decision made in Dad's best interest.
The external fixator on Dad's right foot will remain in place for six weeks. We were told they need to be there long enough to keep things from moving too much while initial healing takes place, but not so long that they create long-term stiffness. It sounds like a very tricky balance, but six weeks was proposed as the magic number.
I'm not sure whether the fixators on the left foot will be in place for the same amount of time. The surgeon expects the damage to the left foot and lower leg to heal on its own without further surgery, which is why only the right leg was operated on last night. We still don't know what kind of long term function Dad will have in either leg or foot. More healing has to take place before that will become more clear.
Today has been a higher pain day for Dad post-surgery. Pray that the new facility and caregivers are able to keep his pain at bay so that he can rest tonight and get back to physical therapy as soon as he's able. I'm not sure whether there's a restriction on when he can do therapy post-surgery. I meant to ask someone to ask today and forgot. As usual, stay tuned, and please keep praying!
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