I have the best news.... sis is healed

[MissMillie]

my sister fell off a ladder on May 7 of 2006 (yes, just more than a year ago) and hasn't walked since. The damage to her leg was bad enough, but combine that w/ doctors who couldn't agree and a Veteran's Administration that wouldn't pay for stuff and it has been nothing short of a nightmare.

Were it not for a terrific doctor at Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME--who has all but donated his services (his words were, "don't worry about paying me. If I get $5 month that's fine by me.")--sis would have been limited to a choice between having all the bones below her knee fused (nothing below the knee would have worked properly) or amputation.

Anyway... long story short. The doctor said he could fix her leg. She's had 3 surgeries since seeing this particular doctor (the last surgery included a bone graft from her hip and the strategic use of artifical materials to return her leg to an "anatomically correct" state) and as of today he will be scheduling one more--to remove the external fixator from her leg. He says the healing has been so profound that he can scarcely tell where the bones had been fractured.

She may need to have a cast when the fixator is removed (the surgeon says he won't be able to tell whether or not she'll need it until he gets in there to remove the remaining hardware) but even if she does it will be a walking cast.

After a year, there is MUCH physical therapy that will need to take place, for sure. But she has healed.

I'm so happy I don't know what to do w/ myself. (Pretty stark contrast to earlier this week, eh?)

We were all planning a get together for this weekend anyway (for Mother's Day) and now it will be nothing short of a spectacular celebration.

Let me tell ya... this long overdue joy feels spectacular!

BTW, thank you all for your good vibes and the prayers that you've been sending out to my sis. You guys are the best.

[SeattleGirl]

1. MissMillie, I'm so happy to hear the good news about your sister!!!

:bounce:

[Suich]

2. That's great news, MissMillie!

Wishes for continued healing for your sis!

[bigwillq]

3. What wonderful news.

I am so happy for her, you and your family.

:hi: :hug: :bounce:

[Haole Girl]

4. That's great!!

I'm so glad she's doing better!! :D

:bounce:

[Nicole]

5. Wonderful!

:hi:

[DS1]

6. That's great news

I'm happy for both of you

[Benfea]

7. That doc is a true hero. -NT

[Pool Hall Ace]

8. Terrific!

:woohoo:

[Joe Fields]

9. That is indeed good news. What a nasty fall that must've been.

Sounds like it's been a long, hard, painful and frustrating road for her. Glad there;s a little daylight for her now.

[Redstone]

10. Hooray, hooray, hooray. That'll keep her spirits up during the PT.

Not that she sounds like someone who would punk out anyway.

Redstone

[ThomCat]

11. That is Awesome fucking news!

:woohoo:

I love hearing good medical news, and you've kept us up to date about your sister. I've been hoping she would come through this with good results.

Please pass along good wishes from your friends here at DU. :hug:

[Wapsie B]

12. Cool.

Very happy for you.

:bounce:

[InternalDialogue]

13. MissMillie, I'm happy for your sister, happy for you.

Thank goodness you got a great surgeon with skills and an attitude to match. Your sister hit the jackpot, and I'm glad everything continues looking great. Good luck to her through therapy.

[LaraMN]

14. Yay! Good news!

I know how much you were worried. I'm so glad things are going well for her!

[u4ic]

15. Excellent news!

:bounce: