Ellie has ankle surgery and is a trooper

A few years ago it was discovered, after a long time with ankle pain, that Ellie had a small bone fragment that is chipped in one of her ankle bones. It’s referred to as an OCD. At the time the local doctor said just watch it. Fast forward over two years later and she sees a new orthopedic surgeon for joint pain in her wrists and knees. He says he doesn’t see any structural issues in those joints but revisits this OCD. After imagining he recovers a surgery to repair it. The surgery is simple but the recovery is long- 6 months. Ellie says no but David and I believe that this goves her the best future and stability as an adult. So Feb 3, 2022 she has her first surgery. 

It takes place at JohnHopkins and she makes it through the day well. She was really nervous about it, especially the needle. But they give her the gas mask and then the IV so it works out for her. Doctor says surgery went well but he is not clear why this happened to her originally. 

It’s been 4.5 weeks since surgery. Ellie was home for a week and returned to school on crutches. She’s been managing like a champ. I’m really proud of her. She hates her crutches and that she can’t practice jujitsu for a while, but she has kept up with her school work and navigating the world on crutches very well.

She has started light physical therapy ans has a long road of Recovery ahead but she’s taking it day by day ans step by step. Her patience are surely a great virtue!

She sees the Doc on the 21st and hopes to be released from the book then. We shall see. 

I didn’t want to skip documenting this big part of Ellie’s teen years. I know this is hard for her and I’m really proud of how she’s managing it.