July Doctor Update and New Van

Written by Michael Hulsebus

Right Leg, from the top

A few weeks ago, Angie went back to the surgeon for a check up and x-rays.  The good news is that her incisions are healing really well...although we had to deal with a slight infection in one the past week.  The bad news is that Angie's bones are very soft - "mushy" in doctor speak.  This is due to her poor circulation, depressed nervous system, and bone density loss due to being non-weight bearing...all side effects of her paralysis.  Unfortunately, that means that the bones healing is going to be a very slow process and while she is healing there is always the possibility accidentally pulling one of the screws out of the bone.  Her right leg also has a couple bone fragments jutting out, but since her legs will not be weight-bearing the doctors have decided not to worry about them at this time and let them heal however they will.

Here are some scans of the x-ray printouts so you can admire her new hardware in each leg.  We asked to have the x-rays emailed, but instead they handed up printouts, which we then scanned...so the quality is not the best.  Sorry.  You can click to see them larger and in more detail.

These are the right leg, which was the worse of the two (it was a compound fracture).  The left leg has a similar plate and screws.  In the picture to the right, I have zoomed and highlighted the actual fracture and pointed to one of the bone fragments on the right.

A side view of the steel plate holding Angie's bone together

On a little bit of a happier note - Angie has found and purchased a new van...well new to her.  It is a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan that has already been converted with a ramp and chair restraints.  At this time, this vehicle will only be for transporting Angie, but we hope to have it converted for her to drive once all the insurance gets figured out.  We do hope to have an EZ Lock docking system installed soon so that Angie doesn't always have to have to go through having the ratchet strap Q'Straints attached and removed each time.  The Q'Straints are great, but if the person hooking it up isn't paying attention or doesn't attach to the right location on the chair, they will not work to their fullest (yes, this is user error and avoidable...but would be nice to eliminate the possibility and a dock is faster and safer).   Unfortunately, installation of a dock is not cheap (around $2000 which isn't outrageous but also not pocket change).  Is anything related to wheelchairs cheap?  I've come to determine that no, no it is not.

Angie's new van

Thanks to everyone who donated to Angie's fund...this was extremely helpful in allowing Angie to have a good sized down payment on the van, so that arranging financing was much easier.  Really, thank you everyone...otherwise we would probably have to wait until insurance is figured out (which sounds like it is heading to arbitration and could be 6 months to 2 years before finalized).  Donations are still welcome...we still have a long way to go before life is normal and Angie is living as independently as she can.

Angie Plager Recovery Fund

32541 585^th Ave

Cambridge, IA 50046-8568

 

Thank You Everyone!

Recovering at Home

It has now been three weeks since I've been home from the hospital. It feels good to be at home. Overall, each day I get a little more endurance and I feel like I'm healing more and more. However, I won't know my official progress until I see my surgeon and get x-rays done on Thursday, July 12th. After my x-rays, my surgeon will tell me what the next steps are and whether I can start physical therapy on my legs or not.
I'll let you all know what happens after July 12th.

Even though I'm not quite able to get back into my regular crazy busy life, just yet (as I am not able to drive yet), I am still staying busy remotely (at home). Email and cell phones are a wonderful thing!  I'm able to communicate with the other Spinal Cord Injury Association of Iowa board members, as we continue to plan our 8th annual sports and recreation event on August 18th.


"Slow and steady wins the race".  That basically sums it all up. I'm slowly but steadily healing, regaining energy, and getting back into my volunteering and working activities.

Thank you for being a part of my life!
Angie