For all of you adoring fans

I just discovered that this bone lengthening procedure is nothing new. Rivers Cuomo from the band Weezer had it done to his leg. He was born with one leg shorter than the other. Here is a picture:

I also know that Zach Roloff had leg lengthening on both of his legs, but I think he had it done internally. Like a rod was put inside of the bones and it didn't involve anything on the outside. He complained about pain, and Savy doesn't really have any at all. She said it's sore first thing in the morning, but she only told me this when I asked her about it.

There are some health no-no's that Savy must avoid. She cannot smoke, because that will slow bone healing. She is really pissed about that one. :0)

She must also avoid all lakes, oceans, ponds or swimming pools that are the color of tea. (Or did he say "pee"?) He started getting all jacked up when he was telling us all of the risks associated with these bodies of water and basically yelled "Just don't go anywhere near them!" Okay doc, calm down. Jeez. If any of you are "savy" enough with photoshop, I would love to super-impose of picture of her jet skiing and send Dr. Gugenheim a picture. I know he would love to see how she is spending her summer!

That being said, Savy has gone to the waterpark twice with the fixator. She goes down all the slides they will let her on. There is one that refused her entrance. We need to call the ADA or someone to take on her case. Maybe Phillips & Associates. Anyhoo, sometimes her little marshmallows fall off and float around in the wave pool. If you find one, grab it for me. Those little suckers are expensive. Pools are okay because the chlorine kills any living organisms that may be floating around in the water.

Talking about $, I got our bill the other day. The total cost of her surgery was $64, 717.02. Through the miracle of insurance. our portion was $250.00

Here is the breakdown:

Private room for 5 days $5,300

Therapy $856

Drugs $5,099

Operating room $8,509

Xrays $627

Supplies $2,571

Recovery room $1,315

Anesthesia $3,434 (Haven't gotten the bill for that doctor yet!)

The remaining amount? The fixator! That thing cost more than $26,000. My dad could have built one for about $50.

I asked Dr G. if we could keep it, and he said we could if we wanted, but he has a colleague that is doing volunteer work in Africa, and he could really use it as spare parts. I think I will sell it on ebay and use the proceeds to buy Savy her first car.

Savy has also gone back to soccer. She did everything her team mates did, with the exception of actual game playing. I am afraid of the damage she could do to an opponent. She bangs the fixator on things all the time, but has not used it as weapon against her brother or sister. Yet.