OT ... I feel terrible

As many of you know, my 14 year old daughter, Sarah, had major reconstructive surgery this past spring to correct a significant birth defect in her left leg. She was born with Bi-Lateral Congenital Dislocation of the Knees. It's a VERY RARE condition; so rare that we had to fly to NYC to get a surgeon that had experience with her condition. Can you believe that there was no at Duke or UNC CH that had ever seen it? At any rate, she had her left leg surgically corrected last May and went through significant rehab. There were many reasons for doing it, I guess like there are many reasons for WLS. Of course, we did it so that she wouldn't have the knee cap dislocate every time she took a step or even flexed the Quadracept; but, we also did it to improve her quality of life. To allow her to participate in physical activities. So, when she wanted to go an a ski trip with the kids from church, I told okay, but to be please be careful and not do anything risky. While up there she fell and ended up in the ER. It appears that she may have ruptured the patellar tendon. The Dr in the ER wants her to see her orthopedic specialist and thinks she'll need surgery. I'm just heartsick. I hope that she hasn't done serious, permanent damage. What's worse is that since Ben lost his job, I know that there is NO WAY that we'll be able to get back to NYC to have her surgeon there care for her. We'll have to let the local referring surgeon handle it... To be honest, I'm scared to death, that she's done some serious damage and I know that the original surgeon should be taking care of her.

How could I have let her go skiing? What was I thinking?

Please say a prayer for her that all will be well.

Barb, so sorry to hear about your daughter. My prayers are with your family.  I know how hard these things can be.  My son has Legg Calve Perthes disease in his hips and has had many surgeries resulting in a body cast for months at a time. He now has pins in both his hips and has agressive arthritis in both hips. He is only 19.  Don't beat yourself up over this. You did what most moms would do.  Everything happens for a reason..Romans 8:28.  Give God the Glory now for the miracle of healing that he will give to your daughter.  I believe it will Happen!
Hugs, Debbie

Thank you.

Barb,
I'm so sorry that this happened to your daughter and I will most definitely keep her in my prayers.
I'll also pray that you don't beat yourself up over your decision to let her go skiing. You WANTED her to have a normal life and do all the things kids do. What parent wouldn't want that? Your heart led you to make your decision. Kids get hurt doing things they enjoy. We will all pray that she has a speedy recovery with no serious damage. Please join me in my mantra....
"GOD is in control, not me!"
Big hugz
Jane

Thanks Jane.

I let her go because we did this, in part, so that she could participate in activities like this. She's been somewhat limited most of her life and now has started enjoying the rewards of having a stable knee. With this accident, I don't know if she will be able to anymore.

 

Oh Barb, I am so sorry this has happened.  But you can't blame yourself.  Like you said she just wants to do what other kids are doing and sometimes things happen and I know it is at such a bad time.  I pray that things will work out and that Sarah will be OK.  Please keep us posted.

Thanks sweetie!

Barbara,
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter.  I know moms worry about their babies, no matter how old they are.  Please don't blame yourself.  You have to let your daughter make her own decisions.  I'm sure she knew what the risks were when she went.  She decided the trip was worth the risk.  I'll say a prayer for her and hope things turn out well.  Can you contact the doctor in NYC, tell him what's happened, and see what he can suggest?  If her condition is so rare maybe he can either come to you or he will know of a resource you can use to get to him. 

Any one can bang up their knees or worse from skiing but we can't let that keep us from doing it if its what we want to do. I am sorry she got hurt and I do hope it is more fixable than you fear. She is still young and so her healing abilities far surpass ours and look how we are doing.

Hi Annie,

I know that anyone can bang up their knees, but hers are delicate and tenuous as it is. As you say, I hope that the damage is not as bad as the ER Orthopedic Dr suspects. They told Sarah that she will require surgery within a few days to repair the damage. I do know that she's a real trooper and will do what's necessary to recouperate as fully as possible. I guess my concern is that we cannot get her to her Dr in NYC who I think is MOST competent to deal with the issue... and as parent, it breaks my heart to not be able to provide that care for her.