BC Spearing Trip: Round Two!

[DeepRN]

Hi everyone. It's been some time now, since Eli's ordeal with osteomyelitis bagan. I thought I'd hop on here and post an update.

Eli had two surgeries for septic hip (infection in his right hip). This is what kept us from the TCove trip, and where we left off in the info that you all knew.

On July 17th, we took Eli to Vancouver Children's Hospital for emergency surgery, with avascular necrosis of the right femur. The infection had either migrated into the head of his right femur, or it had actually originally been there, but missed. Either way, the infection was creating a lot of pressure in his femur and hip joint - to the point that the bone tissue was dying and his hip was partially dislocating. Following surgery, he was in a hip spica - a body cast, from chest to ankles. He wore this to keep his hip/pelvis from moving, at all. After approximately a week, he was discharged and he/I flew home to Kamloops via air-ambulance. He stayed in the cast for approximately 1 1/2 months, while I administered IV antibiotics to him every 6hours around the clock.

Shortly into September (at the start of the school year), Eli and I went back to Vancouver. The cast was taken off and he went into an 'abductor brace'. This is where he's at now. He's on oral antibiotics (for another couple of weeks). The brace keeps him in a bold-legged position (like he's riding a motorbike), but he can flex/extend his left (the good) leg.

The school year has started and he/Reese (his twin sister) are loving their class. Eli gets around on a Little Tikes trike, and does very well. He's painfree and as independent as he can be.

The surgeon has said last, that it's still too soon to see if the head of his femur will regenerate or degenerate (he has damage to the head and epiphysis [growth plate] of his bone). The cast should be on for at least six months; and we will be going back every 6 weeks for further follow-up.

I made a little video from our last trip to Vancouver, when he came out of the cast. So, here's a link to the YouTube video.

YouTube - Take it Easy 2007

That's where we're at. Bri and I have been open water diving once this year (other than the PFI course) at Pavilion Lake. She's heading to Long Beach to try some surfing with the T-man as I type this! Seems it's going to be a very nice swell this weekend. I'm going to arrange a sitter for Sunday afternoon and head to the location where the salmon are now gathering. Hopefully I'll see some big lake trout too! Also want to give a shout out to Colin, on his way to Florida! Hope you're doing well!

Take care everyone! Looking forward our next meet!

[feign]

Thank you Gabe for the update. It is very sad to hear the amount of suffering Eli has been through. Very handy that his dad was able administer his regular intravenous treatments. We hope and pray that he can have a full recovery without serious long term sequelae.

lee

[laminar]

Man, he's a brave kid! I had a spiral fracture of my femur when I was about 12 - but this sounds like a real test. Good luck with the next phase and take care.

Pete

[Fondueset]

You guys are in my thoughts . I hope we can all get together in the next year or so.

[Erik]

Good to hear that he is improving... I was quite upset about it. You guys are amzing parents- so happy and positive, very inspiring.
Take care of yourselves and we look forward to seeing you soon xoxo

[flyboy748]

Gabe,
Thanks for the update! Our prayers are with your little guy during his (hopefully full) recovery.

All the best,
Aaron

[Nikkey]

Eli sure is a trooper! I hope everthing heals well for him, take care

[DeepRN]

Wow! Thanks for the warm thoughts everyone. Every bit helps