Saturday, August 13, 2011

What the Surgeon Says

So since Wednesday night, we've been waiting on someone, anyone to tell us exactly what was going on.  While in the ER, he had a CT scan and multiple x-rays done but we were not given any type of prognosis or treatment plan or any hint of one.

Finally, yesterday we talked to the surgeon.

This is how he explained it to me . . . in the vertebrae there are 3 parts, the main circle and two "forks" Typically when people have the type of injury Trey does, they either break just the circle or they break the  circle and both "forks.

When just the circle is broken, there is minimal risk for spinal cord damage, so they just put the patient in a brace and keep them on bedrest for several weeks while managing their pain.

However, when they break both the circle and both "forks", there is risk that essentially the torso can become disconnected from the bottom portion of the body, severing the spinal cord. To prevent this, they place pins in the 2 vertebrae above and below the damaged one in surgery to maintain the stability of the spinal cord.

His surgeon is perplexed as to which way to treat it because he is in the gray area. He doesn't want to treat it on the lax side and risk Trey severing or damaging his spinal cord if he was just in a brace, but at the same time he doesn't want to take the risks (death, paralyzation, spinal cord fluid leaking) involved with surgery if it is not necessary.

He told us he was going to speak with another surgeon and he would be back in a couple days to give us his advice regarding the treatment.

I'm praying that God will help me to make the right choices, and the surgeon as well. I know it's all in his hands.

It's so difficult to think about the possibilities, so I just try to keep them out of my mind. I'm counting our blessings that Trey is not injured worse than he is, but he's still in a lot of pain and a lot of risk.

Thank you all for your prayers. We will never be able to thank you all enough for the prayers.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. I've seen so many little things he's done and I just know he's right here beside me, holding my hand.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.~ Phillipians 4:13 

8 comments:

Amy said...

praying for y'all! i can't imagine how difficult this must be. hang in there!! i'll keep praying for wisdom and discernment for the doctors and for you.

Anonymous said...

We are still playing for your family!

Superchikk said...

Praying for you guys. I know it's irritating to not have an answer and game plan. But I'm glad the surgeon is being honest with you and consulting with some colleagues. Two heads are better than one, especially in a situation like this.

Lynsey said...

We are praying for you and your family. So thankful the surgeon is consulting another surgeon and making the best choice for Trey.

Laura@The Oily Cupboard said...

leah i'm praying now as i type.

prayers for you as a wife watching your husband going through this and the unknown...your husband for his pain...and the surgeons/dr in the decisions

Jillian said...

Saying a prayer for you, him and the doctors!! I wish I lived close so I could help you some how!

LeAnna said...

Been praying for ya'll! For wisdom, and peace in all decisions!

Linds said...

Leah, I don't even know what to say other than that I am SO sorry and that we are praying for yall! Praying for the peace that surpasses all understanding to cover you, your husband and the doctors as they decide how to treat him.

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