Andrew Update

October has been quite the roller coaster of emotions for us.

I still cannot believe the amount of pain that he experienced. Andrew refused to be taken in an ambulance (umm we definitely met our out of pocket for the year so we should have) and had to be in the waiting room for 30 minutes before he was taken back. I never want to relive those 30 minutes again. I was so helpless and just watched him struggle so much as his leg was dangling.

Andrew is always the one taking care of us (and patients) and so this was quite the change for everyone. Brooke and knox were very traumatized by it all because they saw the whole thing. They have all been worried sick but they sure stepped up to the plate and have been following him around helping him and getting him everything he needs.

Even Beck has been on his best behavior for Andrew and taking time out of his busy day to snuggle him.

In the ER we met with an orthopedic PA that told us nobody would do surgery on him for 10-14 days because of how swollen it was… we couldn’t imagine him living like this for so long. We called my brother (ER doctor) and he said absolutely not. The sooner he had the surgery the better for his recovery and long term well being.

My brother worked his magic and scheduled surgery for him less than 48 hours after the accident. We will forever owe him.

Until we left for the surgery we did everything we could to keep him comfortable and the injury elevated above his heart.

My sister brought over a special smoothie for him (that he will be drinking daily during recovery) filled with every nutrient on the planet.

He needed to be outside to see the sun so we set him up outside!

On Saturday we left the kids with family and made the trek to my brother’s hospital in Vernal so his friend could perform the surgery.

Thank goodness we have a bus 🤣 so we could properly elevate his leg on the 2.5 hour drive. I haven’t driven for that long in years… Andrew is always the one driving.

My nephew was thrilled to see Andrew. These two are best friends.

The kids wanted to be updated every hour.

We slept at my brother’s house and then went to the hospital first thing in the morning.

I’ve never been to my brother’s hospital so it was interesting to see him there in action.

The surgeon met with us and gave us so much good news. In the ER we were told Andrew couldn’t put weight on his leg for three months. We were told he wouldn’t run for a year and to expect to wait to mountain bike until 2025. He was so depressed.

The amazing surgeon in Vernal wants him walking with a boot as soon as the incision is healed because the research shows that is actually the best thing for him (so in about two weeks)! He expects him to be running in 4 months. We were so relieved.

Until they went over possible chances of problems with anesthesia, infection and blood clots. I felt like I was going to pass out.

They wheeled Andrew back and my brother was able to be with me for most of the time and he did a fabulous job distracting me.

About 80 minutes later and he was done. The surgeon did it perfectly and got everything back in place. They also needed to repair a ligament and had a plate and 6 screws put in… he should experience a lot less pain now. I cannot imagine if he had to wait another minute for surgery.

Once he was able to leave the hospital we went back to my brother’s house. We wanted to make sure he was really okay before we headed home.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your love and support. I think we were getting too comfortable in life and so October needed to really teach us some things. We have been spoiled by everyone in our life and we will do the same for you when you need us.