Closer to Moving

Suzanne had another surgery this morning; everything went well. Today the surgeons separated her left index and middle fingers from each other, where they had attached them to increase vascular tissue mass. The new wounds were grafted closed with some skin donated from her thigh. Additionally, they completed closing the bottom of her legs. Pending negative testing for C-diff (negative is good), she should be ready to move over to the NRH when these new grafts heal. C-diff, Clostridium difficile, has been a reoccurring nuisance for the last month. It is a common hospital opportunist whose origins have nothing to do with the original infection.

When Sue does move from the recovery ward to the rehab hospital, the goal will be for her to strengthen herself mentally and physically to prepare for wheelchair living. She will not be ready for prosthetics for some time. She will still need future surgeries for her right hand and to sculpt her legs for proper fit and comfort. Additionally she will need time to build her upper body strength and hand function, so she can support herself when taking those first steps.

Just a side note; Oscar Pistorius was just denied the opportunity to run in the Beijing Olympics because he has an unfair advantage. I look forward to when Suzanne will be in such a circumstance! For equal say, here’s the NY Times and Fox coverage of the story.