Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Morgan's Surgery

I am very grateful for my life. I have not made the best decisions & seem to do things the hard way. But, even through all my mistakes, I have been blessed with amazing family & friends. I am so thankful for you all.

Isaac & I have been blessed with a love that has carried us through many storms. We have 2 beautiful children, with a 3rd on it's way.

Next month, March 5th, Morgan will have a Varus Osteotomy. Two weeks from this Thursday.

The surgery will take 4 hours. They will make 6 inch incisions, at the hip, on both of her legs, break the femur right below the hip socket, & put in "L" shaped brackets & screws. This will position her legs so they will hopefully stay in the hip socket. At this point they will also release some tension in her muscles, ligaments & tendons. They will put her in a cast from her chest to her foot on the left side & to her knee on the right. She will be in this cast for 1 month. They will also cut the tendons in her left foot at this time because it is turning in.

We have been told that this surgery is the only option for fixing her dislocated hips. So I have been checking around to find out if that is truly the case. I have spoken to Morgan's orthopedist 4 times & his nurse, her pediatrician, her 2 main physical therapists, her Rehab doctor, & her wheelchair specialist. This is her only option in order to get her standing again, hopefully walking in her walker again...but more than that, to not be in pain & not lose more mobility.
They tell us this surgery is our choice, but what choice do we really have? Our child in pain & not mobile at all is not a choice. And then I asked him "How do you decide? Or who would decide to not let their child have this surgery?" Our doctor responded, "The children that are too frail to make it through the surgery are usually the only ones whose parents choose to not go through with it". Well, that is not our Morgan Mae. She is a fighter & always has been. She will be in pain, but hopefully alot less after she heals than when we started.

Morgan Mae will be in the hospital for 4-5 days following. During those 5 days, she will have a line feeding her constant pain meds. Her orthopedist says she will feel like she's been hit by a truck for the 1st 2 months. Umm, how in the world are we going to get her home in our car with her in a somewhat reclined position in a body cast & with her feeling like she's been hit by a truck?!
My Mom is coming out from Maryland to be with us & help with Noah. Noah loves his Mimi & it will be fun for them to spend some time together. Noah LOVES his big sister. This will be hard on him too. The last big surgery in April of 2007, I was still pregnant with him. He was easier to take places in the hospital:). Noah looks for Morgan when he wakes up in the morning & when he gets up from his nap. "Morg--mee. Wher r ouu?" Then when I tell him she's at school, he's says "Oooo. Kool." He is so excited when he sees any bus. "Morg--mee!!" And when she's home & he finds her, he gets this super excited tone, "Morg--mee, HHIII!" And runs over & gives her a hug. He is a great helper too. Getting toys for her & taking snacks to her.(Well, most of the time:)) So thank you Grammy or Mimi for all your upcoming help.

And back to Morgan. I have one more doctor to hear from again, well, her Rehab doctor, who is also a part of a spasticity team up at Primary Children's, who will give me the update on what that team thinks. I asked them to look at her x-rays & tell us if this surgery is truly the only solution for our sweet girl. It would be an absolute miracle if they came up with something else.

Please keep our sweet Morgan Mae in your prayers. Those that can join in a fast for her, please join us on March 1st.

We thank you for your prayers & love for our sweet Mo & our family at this time & always. We love you all.


Many families have asked how do we do it. How can you even say it outloud. She is our child. Our sweet angel. If she was yours, you would do the same. She needs us. We want to keep her here as long as we can. And we want her to be happy & healthy. Morgan is our rock. She has always brought so much joy to our lives & all those around her. She has taught us what is truly important in life. We could never do as much for her as she has done for us.

16 comments:

melissa mae said...

You guys are amazing, and Morgan Mae is so precious. We will be fasting for her on March 1st and keeping you in our prayers! Love you so much

Alison said...

I will keep you guys in my prayers and will join in the fast as well. You are so amazing, Erin! I am so impressed by your family. I'm glad your mom is able to go out. Thank goodness for family.

Erin said...

Wow, what a post. I really hope it works out, and she's better soon. And of course we will pray.

I don't know how i missed it - I check your blog all the time - but congratulations on your expectant baby!

scott and tara said...

So sorry you have to go through yet another surgery with sweet Morgan. Luckily she is so strong and always makes it through with her amazing smile :) We will join your fast as well.

mckenna said...

You know you're always in our prayers. And of course we'll be fasting with you on the 1st. You have such an incredible strength. Morgan is an amazing soul!! Physically, this will be hard. But you know her. She'll be her wonderful self!! I worry more for you than her. I can "hear" how hard this is on you in your post. Call me whenever you need someone to talk to. Or cry to. I love you!!

Megan said...

So crazy...I not only know Katie Hunt but I know Devyn Johnson (she was in my ward growing up) and Lindsay Fitch (from high school)on your blog as well. Small world!!!
I would love to chat with you about Porter's baclofen pump (we did the trial before the surgery). Porter hasn't had any hip problems yet (knock on wood). You are welcome to email me at meganblack80@yahoo.com. If you want to meet up sometime that would be great as well.
Making decisions for our kids isn't the easiest thing to do. I am sure the next couple of months will be hard but hopefully it will pay off in the long run. The hardest part about all of this is that our poor kids don't understand what is going on or why we do the things we do. Hopefully they know we love them and that is all that matters!
Email me when you get a chance and maybe we can figure out a time to meet up or talk on the phone. I added your blog to my reader because I like seeing what you guys are up to...hope you don't mind!

Cami said...

We will definitely have Morgan in our prayers along with the rest of you. You are such an example to many and I am so glad I can call you my friend. If you need ANYTHING, anything at all, please call! i know i live further now, but I would do anything for you. maybe we can even be there during some of that time and help out with Noah! you guys are wonderful parents and after she goes through surgery and recovery I know in her heart she will be thanking you! love ya girl

The Johnson Family said...

We will absolutely join your fast. Thank you for sharing Morgan Mae with all of us, we are all blessed because of knowing her and your family! We love you, here is a big hug from Indiana!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I stopped in to look at your blog, and read about Morgan. I really hope things go well for you, and I wanted to tell you that you will be in my prayers.

Abby said...

Thanks for making me cry Erin!! Dang I love my Morgan Mae!! I would love to fast with you guys on the 1st! That they least I could do! She is such a God send and every time I see her I love how she always reaches out to give Uncle Naki Loves! Please give her hugs and loves from her favorite Poly Uncle! Let me know if there is anything we can do to help out. We love you guys and you are definitely in our prayers. But like you said Sweet Morgan is a fighter! That girl is in this world to teach everyone around here how to live! Call us for anything.

Nox

Brad and Emilee said...

Hang in there, her strength will give you strength and vice versa. We'll be praying for all of you!

Suzanna H. said...

Okay, okay, I got the ticker fixed! I miss you guys too. We might be up in May for my sisters' baby blessing.

thebusbyfamily said...

ohhh, my sweet friend! I have tears in my eyes! I'm sorry you have to make this hard decision, but it sounds like you are on the right track. I love your perspective on life and family, you will be blessed because of it!

I will definitely fast on Sunday for sweet Morgan (and her mommy & papa too) xoxo

...and to answer your question, we will be visiting for a couple of days (just kelt and I) the middle of may and then again (just the girls and I) the end of june, for hopefully at least a week. maybe we can catch up then??

Anonymous said...

Hey Erin! I finally checked out your family blog. You have done such a beautiful job. It is so touching. I look forward to keep updated so that I can know how Morgan is doing after the surgery. We will be fasting for her this sunday. Good Luck this upcoming week!

ash said...

WOW, you are so inspirational and amazing. Please know that Morgan (and the rest of your fam) are definitely in our prayers! Morgan is definitely a fighter and such an example to so many. We love you guys and will be thinking of you and praying for you!!!

Chantz H. Davis said...

Hi, you probably don't remember me but I am Katie Hunt's mom and I fell in love with Little Morgan Mae the first time I laid eyes on her! We remembered her in our fast last Sunday and you are in our prayers. Give her a hug from Mary-Kate's grandma! Hope all is well!