today, my sister had the erector set removed from her leg

[MissMillie]

This is what her leg has looked like for the last 6 months. And that was AFTER 6 months of having a cast on.

She fell out of a tree on 5/7/06, and hasn't walked since. When she fell she broke both of the bones in her leg (one of them made an exit from her body) and shattered her ankle.

It has been a year of bone infections, doctors who couldn't agree on either diagnoses or treatment and a Veteran's Administration that didn't want to pay for anything.

Today, she was told that she will not have a cast (just one of those boot things) and she is allowed to put weight on it as she feels she can. She has months of physical therapy ahead of her to strengthen the bones and the muscles, but the doc says that the leg should do all that she will ask it to do.

I'm so happy for her I could cry.

[lizziegrace]

1. That's terrific news!!

I'm sure she'd dance if she could. :hug:

It's been a terrible year for you both. :toast: To better days for you and your sister. :)

[KitchenWitch]

2. She will be doing the happy dance very soon!

:hug:

I am so glad for her.

[skygazer]

3. Okay, I have to ask

How'd she manage to fall out of a tree? That sounds like something I'd do. I'm glad she's out of that thing and on the road to recovery.

[MissMillie]

4. well, technically she fell off a ladder

while trying to cut a big limb off of a tree so that it wouldn't fall in on her roof.

[skygazer]

5. All righty then

Definitely sounds like something I'd do. My best for a full recovery.

[bertha katzenengel]

6. Congrats to your sister!

Why wouldn't the VA pay? Am I wrong - aren't vets covered for life by VA health care?

[MissMillie]

8. the VA was only willing to pay for one of 2 options

either fusing all the bones in her lower leg and ankle... she would have no motion in those joints

or

amputation below the knee.



the doctor who fixed her leg/ankle was the doc the VA sent her to, but they didn't want to pay for the surgery to restore full use to the limb.

the doc who fixed this has essentially done it pro bono. God bless him.

[ThomCat]

7. That is Fantastic!

Yay! I'm glad it went so well. :hug:

I hope she has a great physical therapist and I hope she stays disciplined about working that leg.

[Shell Beau]

9. Oh my that contraption looks awful!! I am happy that she got it removed!

I hope this year turns out a lot better than last for her!

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. Oh, how awesome is that!

:toast: to your sister!

:toast: to you for being a wonderful sister. She's gotta be one happy camper today.

[crispini]

11. Congrats to your sister!

That is good news! :D

[Frank Cannon]

12. Wow, an Ilizarov appliance! Haven't seen one of those...

in years. Pretty cool little device.

I always thought it looked like something from an Erector set, too. And apparently the guy who invented it used bicycle parts the first time, so there you have it.

[Beaverhausen]

13. Glad to hear things are progressing for her. Is she coming to the gathering

the Yesfans gathering, that is. :hi:

mmmYes

[MissMillie]

14. I don't think so

I don't know that we've even discussed it. If I could get her to come for the one night, we could split the cost of the room!

[av8rdave]

15. What great news!

I can't imagine how frustrating and painful the last year must have been for her. Hope the remainder of her recovery is rapid!