6 Weeks after Hip Surgery

It's been six weeks since Kevin's hip surgery. We have been ABUNDANTLY BLESSED by God's Goodness in always providing us the right people to help us on our continuing journey. Kevin has graciously adapted every stage of the way and has truly been a happy kid. Every day of these six weeks has been busy and full of blessings.

The first four weeks in the bright orange casts went by fairly quickly. God provided us the right people at the right time. Kevin and I were never left alone too long at the house so I ALWAYS had help to transfer Kevin when needed. We enjoyed the visits and the much needed help. A couple times we got stuck outside after we transferred Kevin to the porch and my helper left and it felt too hot to stay outside. One time Kevin said on this Talker: "PLEASE, HOT, IN." Thankfully it didn't take too long to find a friend to come to our rescue. We have enjoyed our home being filled with the good people that God handpicks for us.

Kevin's casts were removed four weeks after the surgery on Friday, July 21. The orthopedic surgeon said the new hip X-ray's looked great and it was a win for Kevin. Kevin left the doctor's office with removable leg immobilizers on both legs...and he kept the orange bar that was between his leg casts as a souvenir. 

Kevin has still been non-weight bearing these two weeks after the casts were removed. At first, he was very sensitive during transfers if he didn't have his leg immobilizers on...not from his hips because we had been moving his hips during transfers with the casts to get him through doorways...but from both legs being stuck in casts 37 inches apart for 4 weeks. But it didn't last long, by Tuesday he didn't need the leg immobilizers any longer. The doctor encouraged us to do some stretching and unofficial water therapy with Kevin as much as possible during these two weeks. 

I have been taking him to the pool every day to help regain movement and strength. It has been really exciting to see the progress he makes every day in the pool. The first day in the pool, Kevin basically just hung from me in the pool while Jon tried to get very little movement in his legs. By Sunday he was able to bend his right leg out of the water and in another day or two the left leg. The task of taking Kevin to the pool every day for two weeks felt a little overwhelming to me with Kevin not able to bear weight on land. But I needn't worry long because God provided and handpicked a young and strong awesome guy with a very flexible schedule to help me with Kevin. The first four days of going to the pool we used an indoor warm water therapy pool. After Kevin gained some movement back we were blessed to have some gracious friends that let us use their pool which we were so grateful for to be outside on a hot summer day. By the end of the first week Kevin was moving and swimming all over the pool and able to start standing in the water.  

It's time for the next stage on the journey now that Kevin is six weeks from surgery he can start to bear weight on land. Kevin will be admitted to Children's Hospital on Monday, August 7 for Inpatient Intensive Therapy. Arranging this was stressful at times but the hospital staff was helpful and encouraging. After putting him through two surgeries this year we want him to get the therapy he needs to make the surgery corrections beneficial and successful and still have enough therapy time left for the remainder of the year. 

During each stage of this journey, I always think the next stage is going to be the hard part and then I am always surprised by how perfectly God provides for us. Kevin isn't a stranger to hard work and therapy so I pray that after the initial change he quickly adapts and we find our new normal for this next stage in our journey. Thank you for your continued prayers.