"Like the sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives"...As I looked up at the TV in the waiting room I realized it was the first time I had heard that in about 15 years. Yeah, I was THAT stay at home mom back when the boys were small and made sure to always know where Marlena and John were in the crazy love saga that was thread throughout the town of Salam on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. As I sat there and watched it, I realized I didn't miss a thing in the story line; same people, same town, same love/hate relationships, same dramatic flare, same everything and then I thought to myself (not to be dramatic but) that's exactly how our lives are right now in Baltimore. We've been here before, we fall right into our routine here, we know everyone here, we know the roads to get to Walmart and the route not to take on daily walks.
We are currently on day 8 of being in here and a lot has happened. A part of me is apologetic for not keeping you all updated but a part of me understands that I just needed to be present and here for Zackary. With that said I will let everyone in on what's going on, the stuff you have and haven't seen on social media.
The background-Last year during his hip reconstruction surgery the doctor decided not to do the leg lengthening at the same time and pushed it to this year. As soon as we got home last summer we scheduled it for this summer, knowing we didn't want Zackary to miss any school if possible. It was scheduled for 5/26, a week after his freshman year was scheduled to release. He spent the year recovering from his hip surgery. Honestly, it was the roughest recovery to date and took almost the whole time to build up his endurance. We had xrays showing his bone was growing but his muscles didn't want to keep up. He was in PT still up until we left for this surgery and was finally released for the gym and other strengthening exercises around March, almost 9 month post op. We knew this surgery was coming up but were so focused on healing we didn't think much of it, then the Corona happened....
That obviously changed everyone's day to day life and we spent 6 weeks learning how to home school again while working almost full time for me and doing our best to navigate through the 'stay at home order'. Honestly, we didn't think the surgery would even happen and then the first week of May we received the email confirming it and then we shifted to preparing for being gone for months in just a few short weeks. We, fortunately/unfortunately, knew how to pack for months, plan meals for being gone, and prepping the best we can for living in another state for the summer. We got all the blood work, physicals and xrays done in a timely manner and even added the covid-19 test the day before we left. All was good and 20 days later we faced the airport, armed with masks and well wishes, and made it to Maryland on 5/19.
We spent the weekend prior to surgery settling in to our room at the Hackerman-Patz House, across the street from the hospital, and using our rental car we have for the first week getting groceries and getting the mandatory Olive Garden night before surgery dinner. We also ventured to Washington DC and rode over 40 miles on the rental bikes site seeing, a one day summer vacation I suggest for anyone.
After the fun came the inevitable; same doctor, same hospital, same waiting room and same nervous feelings. Let me tell you, 27 surgeries and the stomach turning pain never goes away. However, the hospital and Covid put the spin on this episode; There was only 1 person allowed with Zackary and of course we had to wear masks everywhere. So Adam stayed downstairs and provided me food while I waited upstairs praying for the moment every mom needs to feel, the safety of her child. After 5 long hours I got to go into the recovery room and hold the hand of my not so little boy. 3 hours of watching him sleep calmed all those stomach pains and we were right back to the life we knew, ready or not. These are the days of our lives.
The doctor said everything went perfectly in surgery. This time they went up through the knee to insert the rod into the femur, so he has more incisions there. This also means he has a little bit different of a recovery when it comes to bending and healing at the knee. PT starts on Monday and is every day until the lengthening process is complete. He has weekly doctor follow ups and xrays to make sure his lengthening is at a safe rate as well. Monday is also the day the lengthening begins. The rate we start at is .2mm four times a day, totaling .8mm per day. His overall goal is between 4.5-5.0cm of length, so if you do the math and the rate does not change (very unlikely) then he will be lengthening for 60 days and we could be home as early as the first week in August.
I know I speak somewhat like you know what's going on because, well you do. You all have been here supporting him and our whole family for years and we thank you for that. We love the well wishes and feel the prayers working. This is never an easy path to try and explain to your child, especially a teenage boy, but we know this is what needs to be done to make Zackary's life the best possible moving forward. With that said please know how grateful we are for all of your support. I will do my best to give updates and apologize for this lengthy one due to my absence. If you feel so inclined please visit our GoFundMe page as expenses of travel, nightly room rates and doctor bills pile up quickly. Thank you in advance and again, we appreciate each and every one of you. And if anyone has any good movie suggestions we are all ears, as we definitely have some extra time on our hands.
Until next time,
Momma Miller
PS-To those who have been asking for our address:
Hackerman-Patz House
ATTN: Miller room 101
2434 W Belvedere Ave
Building C
Baltimore, MD 21215
