Home Sweet Home!

Well, after a hellish day trying to travel - we finally arrived home - 7 hours late!!! If it wasn't fog in Baltimore, it was high winds in Vancouver! But, we finally made it. Through it all, Matthew faired quite well. We actually ended up with bulkhead seating on the first leg (supposed to be the emergency row, but the exit door was only on one side, so it worked out perfectly) - but lost it for the ride home! - At that point it was either squeeze in, or wait another 3 hours for another plane - that they couldn't even guarantee bulkhead seating on either. - So, we roughed it - with a capital R! We couldn't have handled another minute.

As nice as it is to be home, it is always a rough transition from being able to spend every hour just focused on Matthew, how he is, what he needs to do etc., to being dropped right back into 'real life' ! - I'm sure it'll take at least a week to smooth out the wrinkles!

So, once I've managed to un-pack and re-organize things, I should just have enough time to wrap, and hopefully bake a little, before the big day!

We want to thank everyone for your support through all of this - if it wasn't for all our wonderful family and friends, Matthew would never have been afforded this fantastic opportunity. - Once he is finished with therapy, we think he'll just about reach 5'2"!! - All that, including 2 perfectly straight legs, adjusted hips and elbows, longer arms and increased self confidence you can surely see. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Much love everyone, we'll do an occasional post during the consolidation and perhaps a few extras as he goes back for the removal.

Take Care,

Happy Holidays.

Pam, Al, Matthew and Samantha
xo

Only 2 more sleeps!

Matthew has come thru the muscle release/knock knee surgery pretty well. 1st night was rough - as to be expected - but he now is moving around almost as easily as before he went in for it. His left ankle is still quite stiff and tender to put weight on, but he'll have to push it to get the range of motion back. He is to do more walking to help that along. He has therapy 2xday Mon-Weds, and we are supposed to hook up with Dr. Paley sometime on Tues. between his surgeries for a last once-over before we leave. I think it'll be positive as Matthew is doing so well. Michelle the therapist is quite pleased with what he has been able to re-gain anyway. Once we are home we may have to schedule in therapy 3-5 days a week, and gradually leave the wheelchair behind as before. Paley advised on last visit that it will be 3 mos. before we go for removal, but will check that on Tues........

Well - didn't manage to hook up with Dr. Paley today. We were told he'll meet us for sure tomorrow ?!? - sure hope so as that's all we have left! - He is still improving at therapy, but we have lots of questions we need him to answer before we leave.

We'll try to do a quick post tomorrow night - but can't promise as we'll be quite busy!

I have already got 3 cases packed since the weekend - rather eager to get home!

See you all soon,

take care!

Pam and Matt

Gotta go in for a quick fix!

Therapy at 11 - meet with Paley at 12:10 - got update from therapy re: status - has improved greatly over last two weeks, but still has one tight knee and ankle. When met with PA today advised biggest concern was that legs are straight and even. Paley came in advising that he does have about 5-10º of knock knees. The angle is coming from femur and only way to correct it is to do new break just above kneecap, and basically open a wedge that will alter angle and correct knees. He is also concerned about left ankle as flexion has not returned. So, tomorrow we are going in for another quick surgery. This will completely correct knees and give his ankle (perhaps both) an easier time of adjusting to new limb length. After this he will get back all his ankle flexion that he started with. Surgery time is 1:30 pm, have to be there for 11:30. He also advised to still keep to 2 hrs therapy a day until leave. So - we shall talk to you tomorrow and let you know how things went, Matthew hopes to make it a day surgery. Ciao!