Updates On Jake's Knee and Femur Surgery From Monday
Just a few updates on Jakes knee surgery. Yes it took 5 hours, but the doctor feels it was a success to allow for a future 90 degree bend with his knee to assist with sitting more comfortably and allowing him more stability to go from standing, to sitting to walking. They removed 3 pounds of hardware from his two TX surgeries from April 2014, and a large amount of bone mass was removed due to the overgrowth around his knee from his TBI. A few setbacks incurred during this round of surgeries, as the results came back on the removed bone mass at it contains a very serious bacteria, bacteria that developed from his TX surgeries. This bacteria has caused the delay for Jakes upper knee and femur fracture not to heal properly, even 14 months later. His doctor noted his fractures were still open in some areas, as the bacteria counteracted the healing process. Jake will be put on two week's ( new correction as of June 19, it will be now 7 weeks not 2 weeks) of a high dose antibiotic through a dedicated peg insertion to treat the bone infection. Jeff and I will be trained later today of how to administer the medication and monitor and keep the peg site clean. The training went well today on Friday afternoon. Who knew Jeff Harm was going to be a RN as his next career. Life is good! Jake will be on bed rest for the next two weeks and also will be utilizing a knee machine that he has to wear 14 hours a day to keep his knee in constant motion to allow for him to retain his range of motion of up to a 90 degree bend. Through all this, Jake is trying to stay in good spirits, but can't week to leave the hospital, get through the bed rest period and finally begin walking with his new knee and rod supported femur. We are hoping that Jake will be able to come home later today or by Friday morning. Included in this post is a picture of the 3 pounds of hardware removed from his TX surgeries. The hardware looks so archaic and to think this is what it took to hold his knee, femur and lower leg together......wowza. Jake is so glad to have all this removed, get the bone infection cleared and focus on his physical and occupational therapy regiment with Gundersen in LaCrosse, WI to gain back a quality walking gate and be able to gain some new independence. Thanks for the listening ear everyone, and please feel free to send our Jacob a Facebook post to keep his spirits up, or feel free to mail him a card to our home address to help the two week bedrest go by more quickly. Home address: Jake Harm 295 North Marina Drive Brownsville, MN 55919
Comments (6)
You will tackle this one too, Jake! You have made tremendous strides and this one will not slow you down, either~ Keep smiling! Give your amazing mom and dad daily doses of hugs!! One day at a time...
Hi Jake, So happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery Jake and that all went well for you doing this surgery. Hard to comprehend the amount of metal they found in your knee. You are in Good hands and in God's hands. Thank him every day for the life he has allowed you to live. You and your mom and dad are in my prayers. Can I bring anything home for you from the Netherlands?!?! :-) God Bless, Cousin Karla
You've come a long way Jake, so don't let this episode slow you down. You're an amazingly strong young man with fantastic parents & friends supporting you.
Thanks for the update. I believe we promised Jake a Mabe's Pizza - it's time we delivered on that promise! See you in a few weeks - the Matt gang.
The hardware look identical to what Katie had in her leg. They removed the large one that was by her knee. It wouldn't allow her knee to bend like it should. The other ones are still in her leg and arm. The length of the screws look so large. That so amazed, but at the same time shocked me. Katie also has a rod in her lower leg because of her many breaks. The only thing that Katie still can't do is extend her left arm straight or bend much at her wrist, That's understandable because of the plate by her elbow and the two plates by her wrist. The dr said that those can not be removed as that's what is holding the bone together. When the doctor first saw Katie's elbow, he was not sure that he could even repair that. He explained that it looked like Katie's elbow had exploded, there were missing piece of bone. I'm just amazed that Katie can use her left arm. She is back to writing with her left hand and can lift some boxes, but nothing above her waist. She workshard at holding Jetlyn now especially as Jetlyn continues to grow and usually has her on her right hip. Katie does limb just a bit, but that hasn't bothered her much. She loves teaching and now was asked to be the Title One lead teacher. She is a go-getter and I'm so very proud. Continue with your encouraging words for Jake as that will help pull him through I have no doubt in my mind. I'm so glad that you moved him home. Jake has improved so much. My prayers continue for all of you. Love, Carolyn
Thinking of Jake on this challenging part of his recovery journey. Sending our thoughts for strong healing. Jake continues to inspire us with his courage and strength, and you and Jeff are amazing parents!