One week post PERCS

To say this surgery was the "icing on the cake" would be an understatement!
We've all seen an incredible amount of improvement within the past week. Every day and every step Kaz improves! 

The first few days post-surgery were a bit shaky, however once he worked out the "ouchy", he hasn't stopped for a minute. We started back to therapy Thursday (the following day after returning from St. Louis) and began the post-surgery trudge to get Kaz back. 

Now, he's back - with FLAT FEET! His steps look amazing and he's doing just great being back to school and his normal routine. 
He made it entirely on his own today with his walker at school! I'm so thankful as his mommy for the constant communication from his loving teachers and therapists as well as the wonderful caretakers we have for him while at work.

 

We continue to yearn for and believe the day is near for him to reach another milestone. 

Until then...

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith." 2 Thessalonians 1:11

SURGERY DAY - PERCS

Our morning started very early, with a 5:45am checkin! We strolled across the pedway one last time... This has been a major "perk" of our hotel being connected to the children's hospital.

We were quickly called back, once again being the first in the line-up for Dr. Dobbs today.
Kaz honestly acted like a pro, as if he had just done all of this before?! ;)
We gave him snuggles, said a prayer, and off he went with his little lamb "Brother".

Before an hour had passed, the phone rang from our little "Kaz" cubicle and Dr. Dobbs was on the other end sharing that Kaz did wonderful and everything was completed as expected.

To our surprise Kaz came out of this surgery much less effected than with SDR! He immediately started talking and for the most-part was himself... Biggest plus has been, there has been ZERO nausea!

It has made such a huge difference this go-around. He feels so good and we are all just ready to get home now! He's been eating (his norm;), anxious to watch ninja turtles, and even asked to go to the garden this afternoon (where he asked to be photographer). 

Tomorrow therapy comes and will work a bit with him regarding post-op instructions and what we need to be working on. Looking forward to the soreness wearing off and believing for FLAT feet and balance to come very soon for our Kaz man.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:19

SDR Followup-Evaluation + Meeting Dr. Dobbs

Today we had back-to-back appointments in St. Louis. We haven't seen Dr. Park since Kaz's SDR surgery in April, so we were looking forward to the appointment and hearing how he felt regarding the progress Kaz has made since surgery.

Luckily he was pleased, and Kaz is still on-track. He is stronger, has much more endurance, and learning to manage life more independently. Although he's not taking independent steps consistently, we are planning to implement some new tools that will hopefully help steps come sooner. 

He tried out tripod canes during our therapy visit and seemed to do wonderfully. I'm so excited to get these and begin practice at home!

Our second appointment was with Dr. Dobbs in the orthopedic department here in the same children's hospital. He is the surgeon that specializes in lengthening tendons...

We have known that an additional procedure to get Kaz completely flat at the ankles would more than likely be needed. So, today Dr. Dobbs decided Kaz was a candidate for the surgery they call PERCS. This surgery is done mostly in the heel cord, however he decided for Kaz, the best location to perform surgery and lengthening would be in the calf. This area is extremely tight and should loosen up his legs to help Kaz get flat as well as assist him in learning to balance and another step in getting him to take steps independently. Good news is he will not be required to be casted following surgery! He also won't have any real "restrictions" post surgery, which means he can go right back into therapy, start school back next week, and straight back in to normal Kaz life!

Surgery will be first thing in the morning! This surgery is much more minor than SDR, however still a surgery. Please pray for our boy and the doctors/nurses tomorrow as they work on Kaz and help him get another step closer!

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ~ John 13:7

This Month - There's MORE!

This month Kaz has the big follow-up appointment with Dr. Park in St. Louis. We will get to hear how Kaz is doing based on the doctor's expectations, now that he is almost 5 months post SDR surgery! Our boy has made major improvements in strengthening his core as well as stamina over that time. He also is beginning to get more comfortable isolating the use of individual muscles, when before SDR, every muscle worked together to attempt one small motion. 
Kaz worked so hard during the summer, attending therapy 5 days a week, while also doing countless hours and stretching and work at home! Now, with school starting back, he still attends therapy 3 days every week.

We still notice Kaz staying on his toes when he walks with his gait trainer. This means, there is likely MORE to come during our visit. We are quite certain Kaz will have another surgery while in St. Louis. This surgery is considered "minor" compared to SDR! Only a 1-night stay at the hospital if all goes as planned. After this surgery (PERCS - which is a tendon lengthening procedure), he should be completely flat-footed without needing to prompt him like we do now. This will in turn, help him focus on balance and independent steps, rather than fighting against that last bit of tightness left.

We are hoping and praying for a wonderful outcome of both the followup visit as well as the potential surgery! Of course, we'd appreciate your support in prayer as well.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12