United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone, haven't been on here much lately. Life is too busy! Needing to say hi to my "puter" bpi buddies- "hellloooo". Hope you are all doing well!!Sorry I haven't been in touch! It looks like there are some newbies, happy you are here though sorry for the circumstances! Had a question: Dr. Nath said Logan's last video looked great (yeah) but that if her ROM doesn't improve with continued therapy, she may need a "loosening" surgery where they make a "Z" incision in her muscle to loosen the Mod Quad a little, that the Mod Quad may be too tight. Lisa Thompson said this is not common but does occasionally happen. ANYWAY, we go to trial in April (our case is doing super!! Thank you, God.) I want to get this taken care of as soon as possible. Need some opinions here:
1) How much longer should we wait to see if ROM improves (it's been almost 2 years and Logan still can't touch her tummy or affected side/hip or put her affected arm behind her back since the Mod Quad! These were things she could do "better" before the surgery).
2) should we just fly down to Texas and see Nath in person to evaluate her?
3) has anyone else dealt or heard of this?
4) am I right to worry about this before our trial and try to get things evaluated in case Logan does need surgery, then we can add those expenses onto our settlement (although our attorney has already asked for a settlement price).
I will try to check in more often during the week to post every now and then. It really looks good and "nice" around here! My friend here in town with the child that is bilateral obpi has a computer now and if anyone would like to e-mail her, let me know, she definitely needs the support and love of people going through the same thing! She has become my best friend and I love her dearly! We have been brought together through our heartache and have been able to laugh through our tears somehow. Another blessing. Her sweet 3 year old daughter is going for her third surgery on January 9th at TCH- if anyone will be there then, let me know!! They are a wonderful family and have even more to deal with with her daughter being bilateral, it makes my heart ache! Hey girl, if you are out there reading this, log on here and say "hi", you will be welcome here! Hang in there! Thanks guys! Looking forward to hearing from you all. Nat

Natalie - if it were me and I had so many questions about progress, I would go see Nath for an eval... it's a long way off until the summer for a picnic.

Tell your friend that we will keep her and her little one in our prayers,

Happy New Year, too!
-francine

Hi Natalie....Mitchell had this 'Z' incision as a part of his surgery. He was very tight and it has seemed to do what it was supposed to do. Mitchell has this little "chicken wing" since then that we need to stretch daily which bothers me a lot, but doesn't seem to bother him. (Mitch also had muscle transfers along with this surgery) After the Z incision, he's able to bring his arm out (straight out to his side like an airplane) more than he was able to before. If you have any questions, let me know.

Missy

Hi, Natalie. Here are my thoughts and opinions.

1-I have no idea and would only suggest that you ask that ? to Dr. Nath and Logan's therapist(s).
2-I think that would be a good idea for an in-person evaluation.
3-Not us, but I believe that there is a "Z" incision with the biceps tendon lengthening surgery (there were some recent messages under that that topic). I would findout the name of the procedure Dr. Nath is recommending so you can get some opinions here and elsewhere.
4-Yes, I would definitely get things evaluated before your trial. I'm sure that Dr. Nath can write a letter about this surgery and any other future surgeries that he sees as possibilities for Logan. I certainly wouldn't rush into surgery b/c of a lawsuit (and I'm not implying that you are), but it sounds like you're only talking about the evaluation anyway and I think that's reasonable and a good idea (lawsuit or not).

I hope all goes well with your friend's daughter's surgery. If she wants to email me, you can pass along my email address to her. Do you know what procedure they're going to have done?

Well, take care. Nice seeing your name here. The board is a much "better" place to be now with the new message boards (thanks, UBPN!!).

-Tina