Jackinator Surgery Archives

2nd Opinion

We were at Boston Childrens Hospital yesterday for a 2nd opinion on Jack's hip.  This doctor thinks surgery to hold the hip in place while the ball of the hip grows back would be a good idea.  The older the child, though, the less this works.  However, the doctor said Jack would still be better off than if we do nothing.  If we opt out of the surgery, it's pretty much guaranteed that within 30 years, he'll have arthritis in his hip and will need a hip replacement.  WITHIN is the operative word here.  It could be sooner.  At first Jack and I were thinking no surgery now.  BUT when presented with 'it needs to be done eventually - when would you rather do it?  As a teenager, in your 20's, in your 30's or when you're 9?'  We are slowly realizing that at 9, it would probably have the least disruption in his life.  We still need more details on the surgery, including the casting and recovery, so stay tuned.

Surgery

We met with Jack's orthopedic doctor yesterday and have decided to go ahead with surgery on Jack's hip.  This will be followed by a body cast from just below his rib cage down to his ankle on his left leg and just above his knee on his right leg.  They will be calling next week to set a date for sometime in March.  So, I am hereby accepting suggestions for how to keep him entertained (and sane) during the 8 weeks that he's confined.  I hope I didn't use up all of my tricks from when he was in traction over the summer.

Surgery Date

Jack's surgery date is March 2nd.  Less than 2 weeks to get things together.  But at least it's that much sooner that he'll be out.

Packing in the Fun

We're trying to squeeze in weeks of fun into this vacation week.  Yesterday, Jack had his friend Matthew over in the afternoon and then we went to a game night at our church in the evening.  Today, we went swimming in the morning (although Jack doesn't consider swimming fun anymore) and then went Monster mini-golfing with our friends up the street, Jeff, Stephanie and their mom, Cheryl.  Tomorrow, we're meeting my college friend, Amy, and her 3 kids for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe in Massachusetts.

Finishing up Vacation Week

Jack had a good finish to the February Vacation week - archery on Saturday (3 bulls eyes!), swimming with a friend on Sunday morning and pigging out at the Hometown Buffet Sunday evening.

The Big Day

Tomorrow is the Big Day for Jack.  We need to be at Hasbro at 6:30 am.  I'll post an entry once he's in surgery and then again when he's out.  I'll also post throughout the week, including pictures in the album to the right 'Jack at Hasbro.' 

Jack had a good weekend.  On Friday after school, he went to his friend Matthew's house.  On Saturday, he kept the score at Amanda's basketball tournament for 4 straight games.  I've never seen him sit that still for that long.  Good practice for the coming weeks.  After that, Matthew came over to our house.  Jack wasn't too still during that visit.  On Sunday, Jack went swimming in the morning, followed by a hair cut, which he was not thrilled about.  Then he went to his friend Isaac's house.  If Jack is feeling up to it, Isaac is going to visit him in the hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

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He is in

Jack went in @ 8:15. No problem going to sleep. It's a long procedure - he won't be out until 4pm. I'll post again when he wakes up.

Surgery Update 1

The incision was made on Jack's hip at 9am - he is doing well.