I ended Part 1 of Tyler’s compartment syndrome story with the fasciotomy just having been done. He was sent to the ICU while waiting for the swelling to go down somewhat so the surgeons could get the wound covered and start the healing process. Tyler’s next surgery consisted of placing shark collagen over the top part of the wound. The bottom portion was covered by a transparent material allowing for one to see the inside of his arm. The top section was going to start closing up first so the collagen netting was to assist that process. (I have pictures showing each step.) His arm looked like a shark had taken a chunk out of it. Tyler wanted a cool story to go with the wound,so we called it his shark bite. Humor never fails.
Tyler was moved out of the intensive care unit and, I admit the time frame until the next surgery was a blur. Once again, I thought the worst was behind us, but then came the dressing changes. I think it probably is like a burn victim where, with every dressing change, it feels like you’re peeling off a layer of skin. We would plan this in accordance with his pain meds and valium so he would be in the least amount of pain. Despite the cocktail of major pain medications, he seemed to feel everything. It was heartbreaking. When would this nightmare end?
Eventually Tyler was discharged briefly so the swelling could go down more so they could completely cover up the wound. We returned a week later so the plastic surgeon could remove a thin layer of skin off his upper thigh to cover the wound on his arm. I was told he would have no scar on the leg; however, he still has the scar six years later.
The recovery from Tyler’s last surgery to graft the skin from his leg to his arm was the worst. It required daily dressing changes at home. Once again, it seemed like I was ripping off his skin, but now on the majority of his upper thigh as well. Both wounds had staples all the way around that looked awful. Removing the staples at the doctor’s office was another day of tears and misery. My poor boy. I hate the feeling of total helplessness. I wish I could have taken the pain for him. The dressing changes went on for weeks.
The final step was physical therapy. This started immediately after discharge. Moving this hand and fingers after all the surgeries on his forearm was crucial, but very painful. It washard to rationalize with a highly medicated 14-year-old boy already in a lot of pain, that this was not optional. “Can’t I just go one day without someone messing with me?”, he constantly asked. “Unfortunately, no.”
Four months later, Tyler was free of dressing changes, staples, bi–weekly physical therapy sessions and an open wound. The skin graft had taken nicely and he had ditched the “shark bite” story, upgrading to a cool surfing accident. We lost a forearm as an optional access point for IVs, but he has amazing veins so no worries. He survived with his arm and hand totally functional and that made everything worth it. Years later, he remembers the dressing changes and physical therapy, but not the first few weeks in the hospital. Thank goodness! He loves the pictures and shows them off often. When I see them, I want to cry. However, they do remind me of how strong the human spirit isand that my boy is a fighter. He is, by far, the toughest guy I know! Thank you Tyler for letting me share yet another of your tales.
*NOTE: I’ve posted pics, but they are not for the faint of heart: Compartment Syndrome pics.
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