But I'm having a hard time defining what is a surgery and what isn't. Is it cutting into Ryan's body to remove, repair, or reposition something? Does it require general anesthesia? An overnight hospital stay? A combination of these things? Is it not a surgery if they use a laser, but he was under general anesthesia? Is it not a surgery if they use local anesthetic, cut away at a part of his body, but he sleeps through it and walks away feeling fine? It's getting complicated to define "surgery".
All I know is Ryan has had a number of "procedures" this summer since the time I posted about his eyebrow transplant. (Was that a surgery? Local anesthesia, cutting and stitching, drove himself home?) In July, he had a graft to his right palm and releases in the tendons in his fingers. (General anesthesia, cutting and stitching, home that day.....surgery, check!) A couple weeks later he had laser resurfacing of his face and left arm. (General anesthesia, no cutting and stitching, home that same day.......surgery?) On his birthday in August, he had skin cut away from the titanium posts on the sides of his head in preparation for his prosthetic ears. (Local anesthesia, cutting and stitching, went to other appointments that same day and drove himself home....surgery?) And on August 18th, he had another eyelid release to both of his lower eyelids. (General anesthesia, cutting and stitching, overnight hospital stay....surgery, check!)
I don't exactly know how to define surgery and it doesn't REALLY matter. I just kind of wish I had an answer to the question when someone asks me how many surgeries Ryan has had. I guess being in our community that question comes up more often than you would think. Regardless, Ryan's having another procedure tomorrow. General anesthesia. Laser. Home. Call it what you want.
6 comments:
I'm pretty much thinking they are ALL surgeries. Lets be honest. Look at it the way non-injured people look at it, not like us. They would be calling EVERY single one of those a surgery! Hey talk to the case worker...she should know the count...
Miss you guys terribly!
That's an interesting point, especially in today's climate with health care costs and what is considered "covered" by insurance companies.
If it helps, here's some great information I found on anesthesia and some more of out-patient procedures that involve anesthesia that may help you in your search for an answer: http://ow.ly/oYud
I agree that the total count would include all procedures, regardless of their intensity.
I hope the procedure tomorrow (today?) goes well.
I consider all of the following procedures to be surgeries I've had:
- getting a filling from the dentist
- getting stitches on my eyelid
- getting a wart removed from the bottom of my foot in the 4th grade... so don't ask me. And when people ask me how many surgeries Ryan has had I say "I don't know... it seems like a hundred." :) What really matters is that he has been under the care of some of the most amazing physicians and we are ever so thankful. It's remarkable how quickly he has been able to recover, only to turn around and have another "surgery."
Hilarious post...at least to another with the same questions... it's amazing that throughout all his "procedures" you are still as witty as ever!
Procedure or surgery doesn't matter. They are all going for the same result. I think Ryan, you and the kids have done great dealing with them all. You have a great family and we miss you and love you all.
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