Ouchie!!!!!!

Have you ever had a time in your life where you wish you could take back the last 10 seconds of something so you could change the outcome?  Wednesday evening was one of those times for us.  We were enjoying dinner on the back deck on a beautiful evening in Minnesota.  The boys were having a fun week and enjoying Vacation Bible School at church.  After we finished dinner, the boys went out in the backyard to play with the neighbors while John and I sat on the deck watching them and talking.  

Aiden was sitting at the top of a 5 foot slide and playing with other kids when he flipped off the side and landed on the left side of his body.  I was one of the only people who saw him fall and I can honestly say that I knew instantly that he either broke his arm or leg.  There was a thud when he landed and he didn't move, he just rolled and screamed, "Ouchie, Ouchie, Ouchie" over and over again.  John and I ran down the stairs and John picked him up and carried him carefully inside where we determined that his left thigh was already swollen.  Aiden was inconsolable. 

John drove Aiden to the ER at the Maple Grove Hospital where Aiden was born.  They were greeted by security and Aiden was quickly stabilized and given an IV for pain.  After an x-ray revealed a spiral fracture in the mid shaft of his left femur, we began to discuss the options.  I got Luke and Liam ready, packed clothes for Aiden and John, and left for the ER.  Later that night, Aiden was transferred via ambulance to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis where he was seen by an orthopedic surgeon who determined that he would operate in a few hours (it was around 1:00 am by the time they were in a room for the night). 

Aiden and John spent a sleepless night in the short stay unit of Children's and Aiden went in for surgery the next morning.  On Thursday morning, I dropped off Luke and Liam with our close friend Kirsten and headed to the hospital.  The plan was to do exploratory surgery to determine whether or not Aiden was a candidate for titanium rods rather than a spica cast.  If you have never heard of a spica cast, you should google it and you will understand why I got no sleep the night before surgery.  Its barbaric and would be a huge deal for us with my limitations, the new baby in a few weeks, for Aiden and his comfort level, etc...

John spoke with the surgeon right before the procedure and explained our situation.  We are so thankful that the surgeon was willing to consider another alternative to the spica cast.  The rods are typically not used in children under the age of six, but thankfully Aiden was a candidate.  They placed two titanium rods in his left femur.  The rods will be removed in six months.  After surgery, Aiden and John spent a second night in the hospital to try and get Aiden's pain under control so that he could go home. 

Aiden's surgery was a success and they do not expect any long term issues.  He is free to walk and do activity as he is ready.  He really has no limitations.  Right now, he is wearing a removable Velcro type splint on his leg, but thankfully no plaster cast so he can still bathe and is able to move his leg somewhat.  We are very thankful for the doctors, nurses, and their expertise.  And, we appreciate the prayers we received from our church, friends, and family. 

It has been a rough couple of days trying to manage Aiden's pain and assist him with everything, but he is making progress.  He is not walking yet, but we are hopeful that it will only take a few weeks.  He has been able to remove the splint a little bit and let his skin breathe.  He still has a lot of swelling in his leg and still has issues with pain from time to time when he moves from one place to the next, but overall he is doing well and is quite the trooper!!  I took very few pictures this week that I will post, but not a whole lot.  Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers over the next few weeks.  If adversity builds character, then I am certain this accident will change all of us in many ways, particularly Aiden.

Aiden riding in the wagon at the hospital to pick out a stuffed animal in the gift shop.  He was looking a lot better shortly after surgery.

 

Finally home and playing on the ipad.

 

Very First lemonade stand with our buddies

We sold some lemonade to the mail man and were so excited!!