Chase's Surgery

After going to a few doctors, we decided to go with Dr. H. in Ogden.  We dropped Tanner off at preschool and then headed down to Marilyn's house.  We met mom and dad there.  Bridger came with us because he wanted to be a part of things.  Dad and Matt gave Chase a blessing.  We arrived around 11:30.  Everyone was so wonderful at the facility.  Our pre-op nurse was fabulous!  Dr. H. came in and made sure we were all ready to go.  We gave Chase loves and then he was off to surgery.  He was back in surgery for almost two hours.  (The actual surgery didn't take that long).  They took us back to talk to Dr. H.  He said that everything went really well.  He ended up putting a smaller bolt in his tibia because his bones are not yet an adult size.  So he wants Chase to wear a brace to make sure it stays solid.

They wouldn't let us see Chase for about an hour after his surgery because they were trying to get his pain under control.  It was killing me to not be with him when I knew he was in so much pain.  The post op nurse came out and gave us updates but it was so hard!

We were so relieved when we were finally able to go back and see Chase.  He stayed in the recovery area about 90 minutes before we were able to take him home.  He was so sleepy (but rightly so).  They wanted to make sure he could go to the bathroom and keep a little bit of liquid down before he could go home.  When Chase got up to go to the bathroom he got nauseated and threw up.  Mom, Dad and Bridger headed back up to our house and picked up Tanner from Jen's.  By the time we got home, it was almost 8:00.  Mom was so sweet to have a spaghetti dinner waiting for us.   Chase slept for most of the ride home.  They sent Chase home with a fancy ice pack that he needs to keep on his knee for the next week.  They want him to keep his knee elevated and iced as much as possible.

Chase threw up again that night.  We made a bed for him on the couch upstairs and that's where he slept for almost a week.  It was nice to have him closer to us.  I would put his pain medicine, a drink and a snack on the little table next to the couch so he could have everything he needed.  He also had his phone so he could call me if I didn't hear him.  Chase was amazing with his recovery!  As long as he stayed on top of his pain medicine, he did great.  He was good to do his exercises every hour.  

Chase's friends: Easton, Josh, Kase, Chance and Corbin, stopped by the next day after school and brought Chase a little care package.  It had some gatorade, lots of treats and then Wonder Woman DVD.  It really cheered Chase up to have them come and visit with him.  It was really thoughtful of them to think of him.

Chase had to wait two days to shower.  We took the bandages off.  He said the hot water felt so good on his leg.  He had three little pokes and then one two inch incision just below his knee.  Chase had his surgery on a Thursday and then returned to school the following Thursday.  His teachers were so great about all the school he's missed.  He got caught up within a few days.  Chase had to use crutches for two weeks (non-weight bearing).  He had to wear his brace for six weeks.  Dr. H said he could take it off while he's at home but he really wanted his leg to be more protected at school.  After 6 weeks, Dr. H said that Chase could finally begin physical therapy.  Chase did a couple of weeks of physical therapy before his surgery to try to rebuild some strength.  The physical therapist said that it really helped Chase post-operative because he hadn't lost as much strength.  Chase went to physical therapy at BRVH twice a week for an hour.  Chase's therapist, Patrick was amazing with him.  He graduated from the basic program the end of December and in January started the "Return to Sports Program" in Ogden.  He's really hoping to play soccer in the spring.  (January 3, 2018)