Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Surgery Update 11/24/09

Dear friends,

Well, Dr. Bagchi (Bob the Builder) does it again.  After messing with my husband's bones for
 6 1/2 hours, he calls me sounding fresh as a daisy.  He sounded positively delighted, like a kid who just put together some complicated lego set.  Here's the low down:

4 pins, 3 screws (or maybe it was the other way around) to put together the metatarsals.

Rejointed at the midpoint the heel and front of the foot.

Put a rod in the left tibia, which by the way had a beautiful, clean skin graft.  Normally this "only" takes an hour and a half, but because of the skin graft Dr. B had to be very careful.

This is Stephen's last major surgery.  Down the road things may be tweeked, but that's way down the road.  In the meantime, if no issues arise, (like infection - I've grown to hate that word), it will take the Right Leg 3 months to heal.  It will take the right arm 6 weeks-2 months to heal.  The left leg can be weight bearing now.  Of course the left arm was the only unbroken appendage on his body.

These are long healing times.  You see why we will need you for the marathon not the sprint.

Not sure yet how all this will play out.  Of course I'll keep you posted.  

Your friend on the long pilgrim road,

Loriann

I can't wait till I can start responding to the comments.  I read every one, just no juice to answer yet.  But I will...

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

God is so wonderful, isn't He?

How quickly He is speeding everyone to a complete recovery!

I know, just not fast enough, right Loriann? Hang in there. It will go by faster than you think. Before you know it, you'll all be back home together.

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, sharing this experience with you has made all of us more thankful for the things that we take for granted every day - especially our health. Even in the worst of times, we have much to be thankful for.

Thank you so much for sharing your heart in these daily blogs, Loriann. We love your candor, your honesty, and your humor.

Thank you, Hannah, for the comments you also have made on the blogs.
Soon I expect to be reading something from Steve.

Thank you all for that lovely glass of wine that has been squeezed from this experience.

We love you.

Lorraine & Ernie

Anonymous said...

Rejoice in the Lord, always, again I say rejoice!

How our hearts leaped for joy at the news that Hannah will be coming home today! I can picture all of you cuddled up on your sofa. This is indeed a day to rejoice! It won't be long before Stephen will be also be there!

You all are continually in our prayers night and day. What an appreciation for life and perserverance you have giving us! God's blessings on you all!

Anonymous said...

Loriann,
I just heard about this blog from Lisa C. today and had to check it out. I read through every post and comment and am truly awestruck at the strength and faith you and all of your friends continue to exude in the midst of such adversity. As it has been for me in witnessing the trials and tribulations experienced by the Careys over the past 4 years, I am truly humbled and blessed to know you and your family---people of such great faith and trust in the Lord who are unwavering in their praise and thankfulness to Jesus and are fully aware of the multitude of miracles bestowed upon them on a daily basis. You are an inspiration to all who know you!!!
I will continue to pray for all of your family as you embark on the journey that lies ahead....a road none of you planned to travel, but have accepted with the same kind of devotion and faith shown by the Virgin Mary 2000 years ago when she placed her full trust in God and accepted her life's path--a road she was not planning to take---as the mother of His Son, with all the blessings and heartache that entailed. I will continue to pray to her for you---mother to mother---for the continued strength and tirelessness you have shown in caring for your family.
Blessings to all!!
Patti S.

Anonymous said...

God is so good. We rejoice with your family that Hannah is heading home. Your humor in a tough situation is an encouragement to so many. See how God uses everything for His glory?

Barrie and Roberta said...

Loriann

Mighty woman of God!

Sttephen

Mighty Man of God

Hannah:

Mighty young lady of God

Joseph

Mighty young man of God!

David

Mighty young tender hearted young man of God

The Smiths

Mighty and beautiful family of God who are truly exhibiting God's power and strength and courage.

What a blessing God has placed in our midst.

What a Picture of HIS powerful yet gentle loving kindness through His love.

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord! Plans not to harm you but to prosper you and to give you hope and a future.

Body of Christ:

Mighty unified and loving arm of God to pour out HIs love and to be a vehicle for HIs power and compassiuon to be ppoured out through.

God has done a wonderful work thus far but He has only just begun.

we can only imagine what a great and wonderful plan HE has for us as we continue to walk in unity and surrender with the power of unified prayer and service through the variety and diversity of HIS gifts being used as we continue on this Pilgim Road as Loriann has named it.

We are witnessing a fulfillment of 1 Peter 5:6-11

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that He may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL of your anxiety upon Him BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU...

And the God of all grace who called you to HIS eternal glory in Christ, after you have sufferred a ittle while, will HIMSELF restore you and make you strong firm and steadfast. To HIM be the power for ever and ever AMEN!

THe body of Christ in unity rejoices and has stood firm as WE have walked this pilgrim road TOGETHER.

We are not done because God is not done.

We are with you mighty family of God.

May God continue to pour out HIS strength, power, healing power and loving care in the days ahead.

You are a chosenn people of God.

Praise Him for all he has and will do in the days and weeks ahead and may many come tp know Jesus because of the love of Christ exhibied so beautifully in this time.

Our Prayers for you continue.

Barrie for Roberta and me.

Anonymous said...

Loriann,
My heart hurts for you,
My heart cries with you,
My heart hurts for you,
My heart hopes with you,
My heart hurts for you,
My heart believes with you,
My heart hurts for you,
My heart rejoices with you,
My heart hurts for you,
My heart walks on with you.

Love from afar,
Pastor Gordy

PS: I identify....."Jesus wept"!

Bubba said...

Lorianoff-
That's a lot of pins and screws, will they come out someday? I glad to hear Steven had had good fortune in this process. Has he resorted to watching Faulty Towers for a laugh yet? That's when I know he's on the mend!
Christoff

Diane Marcelle said...

there is so much to praise God for!

The medical technologies He has given people the intelligence to design, the doctors He has raised up, the human body He created, that is ordered and predictable

...to a marriage, a family, husband and wife, children - all amazing blessings from God that the world wants to throw away...your love for Steve alone is a huge testimony to the power of God that is at work within those who believe - so rare in this world in which we live! and children, beautiful children who are a BLESSING from the LORD...not inconveniences to be cast aside.

It just strikes me how we so often do focus on all the "bad stuff out there in the world today" but we miss all the good! you are in a unique position (God really does know what He's doing) to display the good - what a marriage is, what love is, what a mother is, what a family is - to so many. I am celebrating God's love and how we can and do live that out with each other - it's so simple but seems so rare...

we continue to rejoice over all that God has done and pray for all that we do not yet see...

Loriann, I also want to mention that a beautiful woman in our church had a serious car accident several years ago and suffered from brain injury/trauma. she is completely well now but had a long haul with all of it. if there's ever a desire to speak to someone who's 'been there' - even though each situation is unique - she would be very willing to share whatever she can with you about her experience.

thank you for showing all of us what thankfulness really is,

love

diane

The Zegers said...

Yah, Hannah is coming home!!!!!!!!!!! God is so good. The Great Physician (with skin on) performed well in the operating room. Loriann your fellings are real. Recognize the negative ones,drop them, and replace with a positive one.I can see you and the kids sitting on the couch watching the parade, eating those delicious chocolate chip scones you make. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.We are continuing to pray day and night for complete recovery for all of you. We love you very much. Enjoy a good nights sleep in your own bed. Love Jim & Phyllis