Started the Distraction Phase

Here is the official reveal of Benjamin's full fixator. It was a process for me to accept looking at it without feeling major anxiety on behalf of Benjamin but I quickly had to get over it and have gotten down to work. 

Daily Cleaning-we are doing an alternative cleaning regiment because of Benjamin's anxiety and preference of showering twice a day on a beach chair using the shower head on each pin site to break things up and clean. (Mom still usually has to also use saline and sterile q-tips but it is not as traumatic because things have been softened up).

Distraction-this is the process of turning the mechanism on his fixator that will slowly pull the bone apart. We started this at 6am this morning. This happens 6am, noon, 6pm and Midnight during this phase. These 4 turns equal 1mm of separation. Benjamin has not been bothered by this at all.

Physical therapy-We officially go 3 times a week for appointments and have found a wonderful therapist. This does not mean this is all he needs. We have lost range of motion in his knee since surgery and are really working hard to gaining it back. This is extremely important to the lengthening and stresses us out that we are behind. At home, we work on stretches and exercises 3-5 times a day depending on how much Benjamin can tolerate.

Recent Complications-
Benjamin had bad cold symptoms and fever at the beginning of this week.
Benjamin's pin site started to look very angry during his sickness. (he started antibiotics :( )
Benjamin was very weak, defeated and wanted to give up.
During all these things, he lost more range of motion in his right knee.

Current Goals-
Benjamin to take more initiative to try new things even if they are uncomfortable including his stretches.

Benjamin to increase his endurance in walking with walker so he feels stable enough without mom and dad right there watching him.

Benjamin's knee ROM to return to at least a 90 degree angle so that sitting in a chair is comfy.

I am excited about Ben growing bone but I am completely exhausted and heading to bed so that I can get up in the middle of the night for medicine and turning the crank. I hope this is a decent update. By the way, the cold has now hit me, last but not least!