Nathan’s Thirty Day Rest
After long preparation, we were into the last few hours of frenzied activity, making the final arrangements for the Home of Hope Christmas program. Most everything was ready and arranged. When planning Christmas for more than sixty children, the staff, family and friends and other visitors, and also considering both a large meal and a Christmas program afterward, many unexpected things occur demanding immediate attention.
For more than six months Nathan had been suffering extreme pain in his right foot and heel. After several different treatments and suggestions from various doctors with no relief he decided to just limp through Christmas and then find a doctor who could really help.
The Home of Hope Christmas is always held on the 24th in consideration for the children who are in school. (China has no Christmas Holiday as such) Consequently, the 23rd is our Christmas Eve, so to speak, and Nathan’s foot problem decided not to wait.
Nathan went upstairs to get some needed item and as he descended the stairs and while stepping off the last one, there was a loud, audible snap (like a firecracker) and he went to his knees in great pain. He was able to hobble through the next day, determined to not hinder the Christmas celebrations… but on Christmas day, the 25th he admitted himself into the LuoYang Orthopedic Hospital with an Achilles tendon snapped in two. At this point, surgery was the only option left.
In the photo above left, Nathan jokes with the nurses as they do the final prep to enter the surgery room. On the right, Hai Tao (Nathan’s assistant) and Tim Tian Zheng Tu offer final encouragement to Nathan as he heads into the operating room.
Four and a half hours later, the surgery was over and Nathan was returned to his room… unaware that there was almost a month ahead of him isolated to that hospital bed.
Two days later the doctors came in to redress the sutured area. They had applied a split cast to the leg to immobilize any movement in the ankle area but allowing quick removal to change the dressing and medication on the sutured area.
In the picture to the right you can see two incisions. One long one where they repaired the tendon and a short one near the little toe. At that location they removed part of a different tendon to help connect the large Achilles tendon to it’s normal position.
Nathan and Dr. Li (the chief surgeon) have developed a great relationship and it appears to be one that will last beyond the completion of his treatment. It is unusual for a doctor to bring his wife to meet a patient but Dr. Li did just that. A very nice couple.
After a week in the hospital, Nathan called the Home of Hope Kindergarten and told the teachers to bring all the kinder children to the hospital to visit. They came and it was a great time. They sang and danced for everyone, including the doctors and nurses but then it started snowing outside so they had to go back before the roads got bad.
On the 18th of January, Dr. Li told Nathan he could go home. There were farewells all around and Dr. Ren, above left, (another doctor who was in on the surgery) came to say good bye. (In the picture above, left to right – Dr. Ren, Nathan and Dr. Li.)
Nathan will not be allowed to walk without a cast for the next two months. Then there will be a long period of physical therapy required. We solicit your prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
One other thing. Nathan wants to extend his apologies for delays in answering e-mail but is trying to get caught up as he improves day by day. There have also been delays in updating the web site but that should improve shortly. (Written by Nathan Bell in the second person.)
Blessings!
Posted: January 27th, 2008 under Surgeries.