Lewis has been walking now with the entire external fixator removed, and no internal plates or other support to the bone. The only foreign object in the bone is the remains of a broken screw from the original plate that was installed back November. The screw is embedded deeply enough that it is almost impossible to remove. He still is fighting the stubborn infection, and has drainage requiring flushing and antibiotics. The infection may finally improve on its own now that the pins have been removed, or may require further surgery if an operable sequestrum can be located. However, Dr. Silveria feels we can begin to think about bringing Lewis home and continue his treatment here! Perhaps by the July 4th holiday he will back on his own farm after a 6 month absence!
Dr. Silveria and I recalled the 10% chance he gave him when he arrived at OSU; Lewis has truly beaten the odds. Dr. Silveria and the staff and Ohio State have worked so hard for Lewis; and definitely performed nothing short of a miracle!
Stay tuned, we may be able to post scanned images of the “before and after” radiographs of Lewis’ leg; a true appreciation can really be gained to see what the doctors had to work with when all this started!
