(Rob:) Tessa Jean's operation to remove the brace went great! The case was delayed for three hours, but when she finally went back to the operating room things went well- the brace came off easily in only about 30 minutes. It's been a very long day- nothing to eat or drink for nearly 18 hours! In the recovery room she was crying some, but she said she wasn't having any pain. We finally decided that it was just sort of a cathartic release of emotion following this long 5 month ordeal.
She will need some time to adjust to living without the brace (actually called the "external fixator"). Her natural action of changing from a sitting to a standing position is to grab the brace with her hand to help lift her leg. She was laughing at herself when we went to the restaurant tonight for a long-awaited dinner because she still keeps grabbing for the brace even though it's not there anymore!
She will need to go back to using crutches again for a while and take a break from very strenuous rehabilitation for a while. We will send Dr. Herzenberg an X-ray next week and then come back out to Baltimore in a month for a follow-up visit.
Tomorrow, back home to K.C.!
I left the cord that connects the camera to the computer at home, but here's a shot from my cellphone camera of Tessa Jean sans brace:
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• Daily Obscure Song Lyric:
"You'd better move away,
You're standin' too close to the flame.
Once I mess with your mind,
Your little heart won't beat the same."
-- Yesterday's answer: "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard (1976)
(No correct guesses)
• Daily Movie Quote:
Dude: Is he as good as I used to be?
John T. Chance: It'd be close. I'd hate to have to live on the difference.
-- Yesterday's answer: "Back to the Future": (1985)
(No correct guesses)
What a sigh of relief you all had! It's over now except for the getting used to being without it now. Funny how you get used to something, isn't it Tessa?
And Rob and Susan...keeping the blog going when you both had to be burning the candle at both ends was no small feat. But it gave Tessa something to look forward to each day, reading all the well-wishers comments. You all deserve a week off just to rest up. Congratulations!!
Posted by: Karen Moriarity | June 24, 2004 at 04:11 PM
Congratulations Tessa!!
I am so happy that the removal of the brace went so well. I am excited for you and your brace free leg. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts as you work on using your leg without the brace. Keep on smiling! You looked very happy in the picture.
Take care!
Mrs. Hall
Posted by: Mrs. Hall | June 24, 2004 at 02:30 PM
You look so happy and beautiful! Your smile is so big for a little girl who just had an operation. Your leg looks happy too. I hope your night went well and that you did not have too much pain or discomfort. I tried to call you earlier, but your phone just took a message. I will try again later. I love you! Zanny
Posted by: Zanny | June 24, 2004 at 09:48 AM
A big TGIH to you all. (That's sort of like a TGIF, but one day early).
Erin said special noon time lunch prayers over McDonalds chicken Mc-Nuggets yesterday for a successful removal of the cage. She said that it meant Tessa's leg was free!
We are both very happy for you, Tessa. You are one brave chickie. Good luck on the adjustment to cage-free life.
Big hugs from Erin....
Carla and Erin
Posted by: Carla and Erin | June 24, 2004 at 08:21 AM
Hallelujah! I am thrilled that things went so well! Too bad it was such a long wait, but it
was certainly worth it. I'm also glad you finally got something to eat! With no food and the brace gone, you must have lost several pounds yesterday!
I will give you a call tonight after you have a chance to get settled.
I hope your flight is a good one.
Lots of love,
Gramma Judy
P.S. Congratulations on a job well done and
the removal of the brace! :-)
Posted by: Gramma Judy | June 24, 2004 at 07:09 AM
Howdy y'all. The late, great Waylon Jennings sung that one. (I'm A) Ramblin' Man has always been one of the Buckster's favorite songs.Good news from Baltimore, "Yee-Haw, the brace is off". I bet she won't miss that contraption one bit. Gotta git.
Ramblin' off to another day,
Love, Buck
Posted by: BUCK OWENS | June 24, 2004 at 04:47 AM