Daughter's Journey

My side of the story, my daughter's journey on MPFL reconstruction

[thoughts4mee]

God is great! Thank you all for the well wishes, messages, cards, and continued prayers.. and that toy "Toughie" surely kept her company! Daunting as it had been, we had an awesome hospital experience-- best surgical team, best in nursing care! #answeredprayers Thank you #LPCH #homebound #MPFL #roadtoMPFLrecovery (at Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital)

[thoughts4mee]

Making sure they do the correct knee!

[thoughts4mee]

#prepping #joshua1v9 #roadtoMPFLreconstruction (at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford)

[thoughts4mee]

😘 ❤️#mytuttipetutti 1st day back in therapy 15 days post injury. #smilinginpain #happytrooper as always #roadtoMPFLreconstruction https://[email protected]

[thoughts4mee]

Still rolling some fun! #roadtoMPFLreconstruction #nomatterwhat #overcomer

[thoughts4mee]

September 6, 2016

It’s 227 am, woke up from a dream of wondering why MPFL posts that I read the night before from Tumblr blog never lasted that long? In my mind I could see photo posts and descriptions of long road to recovery, successfully painful. As I lay awake trying my best to fall back asleep as what had been for the past few nights, waking at the wee hours and hardly getting any sleep, my wandering mind is back thinking of my daughter’s impending surgery. Stressed? Anxious? Terrified? Yes, yes and yes! How could I not be when my baby, my petunia, my tuttipetutti, my elliebelly, my Yaelle will soon undergo such procedure-slicing, drilling, tightening. Expected pain and did I say pain, and pain and very long recovery lasting to 6 months. Later this afternoon, appointment at 245p, we might find out exactly what the plans are from another OS orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Charles Chan (our 4th consult) another Stanford OS and Sport Injury Specialist who we have not met yet but referred by OS Dr. Hoffinger( 3rd consult), same group Stanford Pediatric Orthopedics specialist, who was also been confidently referred by our regular OS from the Bay Area, Dr. Joseph Cheng( 2nd consult on this particular incident). So who did the initial consult for this 6th dislocation? Our local Tracy OS Dr. Walthour who was personally and graciously referred by a coworker/House Supervisor/friend at San Leandro Hospital(also Tracy Sutter House Supervisor) who happens to know the works of Dr. Walthour. I like him, Dr. Walthour, seems very professional, I think he is really a great doctor, but the issue is, suggesting to perform 2 surgeries: MPFL reconstruction and Tibial tubercle osteotomy, cringing just the thought of bone shaving..made me do more research and seek further consultation due to growth plate concerns for a growing 11 year old. Thus explains the series of consultations. Backstory August 7, 2016 I got a frantic phone call at approximately 1:30p from my husband letting me know.. “Yaelle’s knee has dislocated again” Clamoring noises, I could tell he was speaking to others telling them, this happened before, now he was back asking me should he take her to Urgent care? Sure, what exactly happened? I stood away from our work computer and went into the staff kitchen area. “Tell me what exactly happened?” As I held my hands over my forehead, attempting to digest every word. My husband began..“Everything was fine…volleyball drills, not really running … going towards me for water break …just fell ..her left knee unable to stand again. I could not see… compression brace. Okay, I will take her to the nearest urgent care to have it check, it could be just like the last time.” As I paced by our tiny staff kitchen area, I try to stay calm, the don’t panic mode on, but felt like my heartbeat is racing out of my chest as I could barely comprehend the person on the other end of the line. This is one phone call you sometimes play in your mind and always dreaded to receive. First thought was okay, everything is gonna be okay, this is not the first time, Yaelle will get through this, Urgent care was the initial thought. As I hang up the phone, I thought of the background agonizing painful cry, there must be something not right. So I immediately called back and instructed my husband to take her to the nearest emergency room instead, which he agreed instantly. As I hang up, told my coworkers I needed to go, called house supervisor and informed of the family emergency. I quickly handed off my not-doing too well patient to our break relief RN, thank God we were staffed that day! Then I called our 13year old Jenika, who I can instantly know the fear in her voice, gave instructions to call or text me the hospital they are bringing Yaelle to. I paused then, without any doubt, told her firmly, to keep calm. I could hear tremor in her voice. Reassuringly, I continued on, your sister’s gonna be fine. I am coming. Stay focus for your dad, don’t hesitate to call if needed. So systematically as possible, gathering my belongings, lunch containers, pens, water bottles, I made sure to stay calm and clear for I have quite a long ways to drive. As soon as I was in the car, took a long deep breath, briefly closed my eyes and uttered, God please be with Yaelle ..and guide me as I drive to her. Then I quickly got hold of them to confirm we are meeting at Sutter Tracy Hospital and insisted to speak to Yaelle, I wanted to tell her myself that all will be alright, mom is coming. I know that she’s pain right now, and I understand why she’s crying and it’s ok. Pain and fear. I will see you soon to hold you baby, I’ll be there! I love you, be strong! Then, what got me through the ever so long 43 minutes drive? Prayers.

[thoughts4mee]

#mpfl #yaelle