Josh's Surgery Update

Josh's surgery went very well. To quote his doctor, "I am so pleased and excited!" The surgery started in his left shoulder. There were concerns because this is the same shoulder Josh had injured during BUDS and eventually led to his medical discharge from the Navy. There was considerable scar tissue present as a result of the previous surgery. Dr. Brady wanted to be sure to guard the stability of the shoulder while still increasing the range of motion through tendon lengthening. Then they moved down to Josh's bicep. Fortunately they were able to lengthen enough of the tendons without having to transfer any of the tendons to other sites. They ended the procedure by lengthening some of the tendons to his hands and fingers.

The results so far have been amazing. It is hard to describe how exciting it is to see Josh's arm extended out. It is equally exciting to feel his fingers be soft and relaxed. Now comes hours and hours of therapy followed by more surgery in a couple of months. Doctor Brady has told Josh it will take about a year and a half to complete the surgeries he needs along the the corresponding therapy. There were "rumblings" of pneumonia the day following the surgery but doctors immediately addressed it and I believe we are on the downside of that.

We appreciate Dr. Brady and the the special care she is taking with Josh. Thanks as well to the eleven other doctors who performed the tests needed to develop a plan, those that assisted with the surgery, as well as those responsible for his overall care in Polytrauma.

In one of our conversations with Dr. Brady Josh asked when he could get the next surgery done. Josh is always anxious about moving forward. Dr. Brady replied with something I was not aware of. She said, "there are no text books for what we are doing." She consulted with other doctors regarding this procedure including doctors from the Mayo Clinic. The process of lengthening tendons has been around but doing it with the goal of gaining function in the arms and hands has not been done before. So we are very thankful for this opportunity. Our hope is that surgeries with other patients will follow.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:9-11

Thank you for your prayers!

All in for Josh,

Mike