Quasimodo No More!

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10b)

It has been just longer than two and a half years since I first felt a strange pain in my right leg. It turned out to be a benign giant cell tumor. It should have been a simple surgery to remove the tumor and fill it with cement to strengthen the leg. However, at the time of surgery, the tumor had grown significantly since the last scans were taken. The cement was inserted, but there was not enough bone left to grow around it. My femur buckled, fractured in several places, and healed in a bent position. So, I have been ambling about like Quasimodo for the last two years.

I elected to wait until my kids were older to have surgery. At the time, they were 6 months, 2, 4, 6. Now, my little Amelia is going to be 3 in August!

My surgery is scheduled for June 16 with Dr. Conway at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics in Baltimore. Here is what she is going to do:

1. Peroneal nerve decompression

2. lengthen hamstring and calf muscles

3. Incision - carefully remove cement - the hardest part bc of how thin the bone around it is - possible fracture

4. Cut Bone

5. Insert lenticular allograft - to get purchase on screws - will absorb

6. take bone from my left femur, mix with synthetic bone - hardens in about 15 minutes

7. Plate bone

I will be non weight bearing for 6 weeks, able to use crutches and able to do leg exercises to strengthen muscles, wearing a brace at night to sleep. After 6 weeks, I can apply 50% weight and see how it goes from there.

I have not allowed myself to think about full recovery at all until now. I am overwhelmed and excited for this last bit of a long journey. There is no way I can do this by myself. I have been so very blessed these last two years by friends and family who trusted me to go my own way and do my own thing.

I have the very best hubby in all of the world. He has been so kind and understanding and compassionate. I could never face this without your love and strength. I love you so much, babe! Thanks so much for keeping me laughing through all of it:0)

My entire family has rallied around me and I can feel your support and prayers. My Mom and Stepdad will be at the hospital waiting with Bob during the surgery. My Dad and Stepmom have been such an encouragement to me with their kind words. The kids will be in OH for 4 weeks. Thanks so much to all of my parents for taking on my amazing kiddos! It means the world to me that I can relax and just think about recovery for a while. And read books!

Thank you to Bob's Mom and Dad who have given us tremendous support in watching the kids and keeping up with my status. Just knowing that you are there is such a comfort.

I have the most amazing friends in my neighborhood, at church, and in OH who stood by me, ignored my crazy leg and let me be "normal". Thank you for not being embarrassed to be seen with me! I would not have made it through this most difficult time without you. Thank you for not talking about it and asking about it just the right amount to make me feel loved.

Thank you to my fantastic accountability group who has been holding me up from the very beginning. Without your love and prayers and willingness to share your lives with me I would still be in the dark place. Thank you for being the arms of Jesus, filling my mind with scripture, and for letting me cry so much!

FAQ

Q: Does your leg hurt?

A: Yes it's at about 1-2 all the time when I'm standing or walking. It does not hurt at all anymore while I'm sitting. It does however get stiff when I sit, so I try not to sit for too long at a time.

Q: Is it your knee?

A: It's actually my distal femur - leg bone just behind my knee

Q: Why can't you straighten your leg at the knee?

A: It hurts my knee too much to straighten my leg and I want to preserve the cartilage in my knee

Q: Can you exercise?

A: Yes I ride a stationary bike, take short walks, and do yoga and stretching. If my leg starts to hurt too badly, I stop for a few days and go to it again.

Q: What do you take for the pain?

A: I'm used to it now, so nothing. If it gets bad, I use essential oils to support my body in healing itself.