5 years ago today, it was a beautiful, sunshine-filled Sunday — much like it was today in southwest Minnesota. On that day, Ava became unbuckled from our John Deere gator, fell out, and received a brachial plexus injury.
Our lives changed forever that day. Our daughter who already had special needs entered into an even tougher chapter of her life. Joe and I grieved with sadness for the loss of simplicity for her and the rest of our family.
We have now entered a part of Ava’s recovery where we have to choose the next step. For this, we received an opinion last summer in Cincinnati, and another one at Mayo in February. Time is not quite as crucial as it was with the first surgery but I would like to just make a decision and move forward.
Ava is 9 years old now. Her right forearm is greatly supinated, which is a common issue after brachial plexus surgery. It is very obvious in the photo of her biking.
Both teams of specialists say that any teenager would beg for the surgery they recommend next — an osteotomy. It is cutting the bones in the forearm and fusing them into a position that not only looks more natural but also could be more functional.
Speaking of function, Ava never gained back as much of it as we had hoped. She has minimal finger flexion (closing) and no extension (opening). No triceps, but decent biceps and external rotation. Pretty much every kid in Cincinnati has more function than she has — which is hard to see at the “family day” mixers in Cincinnati. Being 4 years old is a LOT different than a newborn baby when it comes to receiving a brachial plexus injury. .
We have to choose and schedule something, but Ava is completely opposed to another surgery and big scar. It is a lot for her to comprehend. We are unsure of which option is best because, of course, the two opinions we received have minor differences in the details.
We want to say “THANK YOU” for your support of Ava over the years through this blog. We ask for continued prayers for Ava. We also ask for prayers for our farm, and all farmers, because of the uncertainty of the quarantine and Covid-19.
soshemarriedafarmer 