Jacob’s Journey with PFFD

Jacob and his Mom & Dad, and sister Jessica set off on a road trip across country from Denver, Colorado to Baltimore, Maryland in early June 2007 to start Jacob’s journey towards having a longer leg. The surgery was carried out by Dr. Dror Paley at Sinai Hospital on the 15th of June. Mom had to put on special clothing to go into the surgery room with Jacob to help anesthesia. Jacob thought Momma looked like she was going to visit the moon! Four hours later Jacob’s surgery was a success and Mom and Dad were right there by Jacob’s side as he woke up in the recovery room, while Grandma Candy and sister Jessica waited in the waiting area. Jacob then spent the next three days in the hospital recovering from surgery.
The first few days were the worst dealing with the pain, but in no time Jacob was up and about on his walker with the help of a physical therapist even before he left the hospital. Our family spent ten days after surgery at the Hackerman- Patz House, which is a place specifically for families to stay while undergoing treatments requiring extended stay. This was a wonderful experience for all of us including seeing Jacob meet other children with shorter limbs. Jacob could see that the other children were pushing themselves around in their wheel chairs and walkers, playing video games, and participating in crafts and other activities. This was a very important mental step for Jacob and helped him to start healing and embracing the challenge of the lengthening procedure which had only just begun.
Every week day Jacob visits the hospital for one hour of land therapy
and one hour of pool therapy and then pin site care to change the dressings. A total of three and a half hours per day. On weekends Mom and Dad (David and Rachel) are responsible for changing the dressings and carrying out the physical therapy.