Surgery Day

Today is surgery day. Here are the specifics:

• Check in at 8am
• Surgery begins at 9:30am
• The two orthopedic surgeons will remove the plates and screws from his previous surgery last year. The plates are in his upper legs and lower legs.
• They'll give him a shot of botox directly into his muscles. He's had it done before and it works really well. We don't have it done anymore unless they're already inside his legs. In layman's terms, it helps relax his muscles for a few months.
• The surgeon will do some work on his right foot. She'll be cutting out a wedge of bone on his right foot and some other reconstructive work. She worked on his left foot last year and we've been so happy with the results. His left foot rests flat on the floor now (his heel used to be up) and he isn't crouched over at all! Right now, Zeke's right foot curves inward, which makes it harder for him to balance.
• The surgeon will remove a bony growth on the fourth toe of Zeke's right foot. She's sure it's not cancerous so they won't be doing the biopsy. It appears to be cartilage that has broken off from his toe and started growing on it's own. Technically, it's a tumor but it won't spread and hurt him. It's been there at least three years and hasn't moved or grown. She's taking it out so that it doesn't bother him.
• Surgery should take 4+ hours.

Lots of people have asked if Zeke is aware of the surgery because he seems so happy. The answer is yes, he knows. He knows he's having surgery and will be staying in the hospital. He still loves it! He's excited about the pre-op because he gets to pick out a chapstick w/scent to put inside his mask - and he gets to take the mask home. He's excited after surgery because he gets to stay in the hospital bed with the TV that swings right over him and he gets to watch whatever he wants. He's excited for Friday because he gets a cast and gets to pick what color he wants. He's excited later because he gets to ride in a wheelchair. These aren't things I've reminded him of to make him feel better - he really is excited all on his own!
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I got to talk to all the kids on the phone last night. Even the little one. When I talked to her, she tried to look into the phone to see me. I think Tay is doing better and Brittney seems to finally over the flu. After we got off the phone, Zeke and I were both so tired that we crashed in bed at the hotel before 8pm last night. I tried to read but I was falling asleep too so we just turned off the lights and said good night. Which is probably ok because we've got an early start this morning. Zeke can't eat or drink anything so that means we'll both be avoiding the breakfast area, except for some coffe, of course!
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