The Final Phase Begins!

This past Wednesday we went down to Children's Hospital for our last bi-weekly checkup. At our appointment, Dr. Mosca confirmed that we are done with the lengthening phase of Ben's procedure. He put a new bolt into the fixator to make sure that it doesn't move anymore and took of the lengthening rod (see picture.)

Ben's lengthening rod.

Dr. Mosca continues to be impressed with Ben's pin sites, knee flexibility, and bone quality. In fact, he said that the lengthening phase has gone as well as any case he's ever seen! We now move into the "consolidation" phase of Ben's procedure when we wait and allow the bone to harden. This phase will last for around 4 months. The fixator will have to stay on to support the leg, but the good news is that we aren't stretching out the skin and muscles anymore, so the hardest part is (hopefully!) behind us.

On Thursday we brought treats into Ben's classroom so that we could celebrate with all of his friends. Then, on Friday, Ben participated in the Sunnyland jog-a-thon fundraiser. His class joined him in running on the blacktop while Ben did 20 laps in his wheelchair. Way to go Ben!

Ben at the jog-a-thon with one of his teachers, Mr. Luke.