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Mr Brandon Michael Gullett

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They are in!

Just heard from the doctor and after  5 1/2 hours in OR Dan is done!  

The doctor believed it was just the 2 ligaments that needed to be replaced, but said they would not know for sure until they actually get in there.  After poking around today they confirmed it was just the ACL and PCL that needed to be replaced.  The other two ligaments repaired themselves fine.  Dan did mess up the cartilage, but they were able to clean that up.  The doctor said "he has arthritis in his knees now".  Maybe Spike will share his glucosamine with Dan.

I will head up to see him soon, and if Dan really feels as though he wants to go home tonight, then they said they would let him.  The most important thing is that he keeps that knee completely straight for the next four weeks!  

Angelique

New Ligaments

Almost nine months later, and Dan is currently in the OR having what is hopefully the last of his surgeries due to the accident.  Today they are removing the ACL and PCL and placing donated ligaments in their place.  The doctor will also clean up some of the cartilage that Dan messed up and is causing the pain in the knee.  The procedure should take about four hours and he will most likely stay in the hospital overnight.  He is anticipating going home tonight and going back to work next week, even though the doctor told him he will be out of work for a good week.  You know Dan, he never listens to what they have to say and always pushes it.  Maybe some of his motivation is due to the fact that Wyatt thinks his dad needs one of those motorized scooters they advertise on tv.  Dan wants to prove to him that daddy does not need that!

Angelique

Update 12/1/2010

It has been awhile since my last update, so here is the latest. I have seen all three of my leg doctors. I got the cast off of my ankle and have a removable brace on my ankle. The first thing I did after getting the cast cut off was to take a bath. My calf looks creepy due to the muscle loss. The theoretical date for weight bearing on my right leg is Dec. 28. Due to the holidays and such, I have my next appointment on the 17th. Everything looks good so far and I am hoping that he let's me start walking on it on the 17th. I had an ultrasound on the artery graft on my left leg and it is healing well and I see the surgeon again in six months. I went in today and met with the Doc for my left knee. The ACL and PCL are still very loose but are pain free and holding enough for me to use it without the knee buckling. I got a new brace today that protects these ligaments and I will wear it for all activities even after surgery. The brace is small enough to fit under pants and does not slide down my leg like the old one. We are tentatively planning ACL and PCL surgery for spring after the ice is gone. The procedure is arthroscopic and has a healing time of about six weeks. The ligaments on the side seem to be healing enough to not require surgery which is good due to the large incision and dealing with the damaged nerve that is in the way of the outside ligament. I am hoping that I don't need that surgery. I meet with him early Feb. and we will schedule surgery at that time. That's all, Happy Holidays.

Update 11/8

Therapy is going well on my left leg and I can navigate stairs with a crutch (thanks Cody and Sherry for the crutches). The therapist makes funny faces at me when I do it because it looks odd and painful but it's the only way I can do it. I went upstairs for the first time since my accident on Friday and got to sleep in my own bed which is a treat. I don't like getting out of bed in the morning because I have to go down all those stairs again.

Update 10/23

I met with the orthopedic doctor on Monday and had the staples taken out of my ankle (it really hurts when you are not drugged up). I was supposed to get a removable boot put on but I started asking questions about how much I should be moving it around and other questions. The doctor then decided that I will have a full cast up to my knee because he does not trust me to not be moving it. He seems to be pretty smart. The ankle is healing well and I have a green cast on (Wyatt helped pick the color) and will see the doctor again in three more weeks. No weight on it for another nine weeks (twelve week healing time after surgery). Wednesday I met with the sports medicine doctor to check out my left knee. He was amazed at the way the ligaments are healing themselves with scar tissue. My knee is holding itself together very well and he said that knee surgery may become voluntary vs. necessary in order for me to walk. We shall see. The doctor commented on how well the knee is doing considering that the bottom of my leg was at least six inches dislocated from the knee in order to do the damage that was done. He has given me the O.K. To start physical therapy and I hope to get into the Winona therapy center next week and go three times a week. I am hoping to get get scheduled for the morning to coincide with Angelique dropping the kids off at school. Next step will be to strengthen my left leg enough for me to use crutches and get back to work at least part time. I will update again after I have had some therapy.

Dan