Follow Up

February 28, 2014

Today was the follow up appointment with Dave in the prosthetics department. Taden even got to join us this time. We were going in hopes of being able to get Shaun's arm molded for his prosthetic.

When we went in today, Dave started to take measurements of Shaun's arm to get ready for the mold.

 He said that the arm wasn't forming quite the way that he had hoped it would. the upper portion of the arm was still a bit larger than he would like.

 Dave decided that with the measurements he had taken, he would order a custom compression sleeve so that it could shape the limb the way he wants. If it doesn't form any different, than it's just the way his arm is and we'll go from there. I suggested until then, we could use the ace bandage and just wrap it tighter in the place that needs to be smaller. Dave thought that was a great idea! He told us to call him in a few days to let him know of any changes.

Since Taden was with us this time, he was interested in seeing the prosthetics.

 Dave was nice enough to take us back to the workshop again. Taden was fascinated by all of the machines, tools, and fake arms and legs lying around.

This time, we were able to see a little girls leg with a fun bright heart print in it.

I'm glad that Taden can be so involved in this whole process. It's teaching him so many valuable life lessons. One of the most important things he is learning is that everyone is different! Just because someone talks different or walks different or is missing a limb, it doesn't make them weird. They are people just like him and you don't treat them any different. Another thing we are trying to teach him is that if he sees someone that is missing a limb, don't stare, ask them how it happened. More often than not people are willing to talk about it, knowing that they are just teaching a child about the differences in people.

Taden had a lot of questions while we were checking out the workshop, and Dave was great at showing and telling Taden if a limb was for a child or adult, a male or female. He was great at explaining his plan for each limb as well. It was good for Taden to see the variety of prosthetics.

One of the things Shaun was the most excited about was Dave had a Prosthetic that he had just wrapped in black carbon fiber! This gave him a better idea of what his would eventually look like. He plans to do a full black carbon fiber arm with all black anodized parts, including the hook.

They were using a machine that encases the pieces of the prosthetic that have the carbon fiber, in resin. 

We left a little disappointed that Shaun didn't get molded for his arm, but we would rather wait and have it be as correct as possible. He's just enjoying the freedom of no arm at this point! 

 

No More Stitches

February 10, 2014

 

Today we had an appointment at Orthopedic Associates of Michigan to get Shaun's stitches removed. Katie was super sweet and did a great job!

 

 

We're halfway there! Shaun said the back stitches did hurt to have taken out since the back of his arm has some feeling.

 

 

All done! There was a little bleeding but she said that is normal. Dr. Burgess happened to be in the office that day so he stopped in to see us and see how Shaun was feeling about the whole thing.

 Dr. Burgess was happy with the healing of the incision and also impressed with the movement! He said he would like to see us after Shaun gets his prosthetic. He is such a great man! We've been blessed with a wonderful team of nurses and doctors throughout this whole process. Thank you to all of you!

 

 

 



 

The Next Step

February 7, 2014

 

We went to Mary Free Bed to meet with Dave Firlick so Shaun could get his compression sleeve.

 

 

 

They said that Shaun's arm looked like it was healing really well and the incision looked neat and clean, just a little swelling still. He showed them how he is now able to swing his limb and when he thinks about moving his thumb (that isn't there), the end of his limb moves. They were really impressed! David seems to think that Shaun may be a good candidate for a biomechanical arm. This means that the prosthesis works from the muscle/nerve electricity that he still has. So when he swings his limb forward, the arm would move up!

 

Dave checking the muscle strength Shaun has.

 

Throwing around new ideas for his prosthetic now that he has all this movement!

 

 

Learning how to put on the compression sleeve. The point of the sleeve is to squeeze the arm to get the fluid moving and promote healing. Most people that get a limb amputated still have working muscles that break down the fluids and move them out into the system. Shaun's arm muscles don't work so he needs the help of the sleeve to get the fluid moving.

 

Shaun wanted to see the prosthetic arms again before we left but Dave couldn't find them so instead he decided to bring us into the workshop! This is where they make all of the different prosthetic limbs.

 

One of the arms he is in the process of making.

 

Seeing how the elbow on this one works.

 

We found out that you can choose any fabric, tee shirt, or color you want to customize your limb. The bright fabric was something he was going to apply to an arm for a woman. Shaun is checking out another woman's leg. She has a black floral print on the upper part of her leg and then she also had them apply a white and blue chevron fabric to the brace! The possibilities are endless!

The workshop is made up of all different rooms.

Bins of all different parts and pieces.

 

Getting to see the workshop was so exciting! We never realized the work that goes into each prosthesis. It definitely got Shaun's mind going on how he is going to make his prosthesis his own. I'm sure whatever he chooses will be really awesome!  

 

We will go back in 2 weeks. Dave thinks the swelling should be gone and they can mold Shaun to get his prosthesis going!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Recovery Time

It was a nice weekend after the surgery. Shaun wasn't able to remove the bandages for 5 days. So that meant the only thing I was in charge of was putting on his leg compression wraps when he was laying down. They were used to keep the circulation going to prevent blood clots. We did find however that they made sleeping a little tough for him with the inflating and deflating. We spent a lot of time on the big comfy couch watching tv and visiting with friends and family. Shaun's best friend Sean from Indiana came to town for the weekend to help out and spend time with us. It was great to have him around! Thanks Sean!

 

Taden gave Shaun his teddy Coconut to make him feel better! So cute!

 

Shaun started back to work on Monday, yes just 4 days after surgery! He said it went really well and felt good to get back to normal life.

 

5 days quickly past and Shaun was anxious to take off the bandages to see what his limb looked like.

So we started un-wrapping...

 

Once we got to this point, it was hard to get the rest of the gauze off because all the blood had dried and was sticking to his skin.

 

Shaun figured we would cut some of the extra gauze off.

 

Gross pictures I know. We had to take a few breaks from queasiness. We ended up having to get the rest of the gauze wet so they would unstick.

 

Yay!! Success! It looked like it was healing well. The only thing Shaun was a little worried about was the length of the limb. I think we both had expected it to be a bit shorter.

 

Dad, Mom, and Radar came over to visit and see how it looked.

Shaun always loves when Radar comes over!

 

 

Shaun's first shirtless pictures!

 

Taden dabbing the blood. He has been such a big helper! How many 7 year olds get to say that they help take care of their one armed step dad! Such a sweet boy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Today Is The Day!

January 30, 2014

 

 

Today is the day! We started our day at 6:30am. Time for Shaun to put the sling on....one...last...time! We were on the road by seven for our 8am appointment.

 

 

We arrived, got checked in and waited. Talk about real! The nurse called Shaun back to get changed (in to one of those oh so cute, darn near backless robes) and to get an IV going. Shaun's mom and I were then able to go back and see him. He barely fit on the table (of course a Nuismer would have their feet hanging off the hospital bed). The rest of the family was able to see him before they took him off to anesthesia, then surgery. 

 

 

 

 He was calm, cool, and collected. Even knowing there is no going back at this point, he was so confident of his decision, and ready for a new chapter in his life.

 

I just want to say that Shaun has such an amazing support group, the love of his family was so very apparent that day. Shaun's parents Gary & Dianne, Grandpa & Grandma Carlson and Uncle Dana met us at the surgical center to be there for Shaun. It was truly amazing to see their love for him. Thank you for being there with me and for me as well.

 

Then came the longest 90 minutes of my life...

 

Finally a nurse came out, walked in front of me and said, "You must be Mikiala. He is so cute in there. He just woke up out of anesthesia and said he just wants his wife. He told me to go out into the waiting room and look for the most beautiful woman out there and she would be his wife." I am a blessed girl!

 

 

 

Shaun had the biggest smile I've seen in a long time! He did it! It was done and he looked great. He was his usual happy self, joking around with the nurses and putting smiles on everyone's faces. The rest of the family took turns seeing him, making sure he was doing well.

 

 

About an hour and a half after surgery they were ready to discharge him. It was so strange for Shaun to get up and get dressed, this time with no arm in the way. What a freeing feeling!

 I took pictures of him so that he could see himself....10 pounds lighter...as he said. The ride home went well and all Shaun wanted was Wendy's. Apparently not being able to eat or drink the night before is rough. The rest of our day was filled with some relaxation and me having to tell Shaun to sit down and stop trying to work on things. Part of the issue is not being able to feel the pain. I couldn't be more proud of Shaun, he did great!