After 7 days in the hospital and confined to traction, Malcolm had a follow-up X-ray that showed his femur was set fine and was in the correct position for callous/new bone growth to take place. He was then scheduled for fitting a cast at 8:30AM on 11 April. It was necessary for him to undergo anesthesia again - young ones won't lie still enough for this procedure.
He had a "single leg spica" (aka walking hip spica) cast fitted which consisted of a waist circlet anchored to a full leg cast for the broken leg, leaving the healthy leg free to roam. The non-healthy leg was fused to the circlet so sitting up was very limited. Here he is after the procedure. He was very brave and the hospital staff gave him a certificate to confirm this.
It was a relief not to be in traction any more but the reality of limited mobility started to set in. We researched and brainstormed for ways to entertain him and to help us all remain sane for the next several weeks until cast removal.
After a day of observation, the doctors confirmed on Friday 12 April that Malcolm would be able to travel the following day. Since he could not sit up with the cast, he required an air ambulance service which thankfully we were insured for. One parent would need to travel with him and Nadine was the logical choice.
We hastily decided that the girls and I would drive home late that afternoon (12 April), expecting that Malcolm and Nadine would be coming the following afternoon. It took 11-1/2 hours door to door for the girls and I to make it home – arrived at 2:30 AM on Saturday and needless to say we were VERY tired.
It ended up taking an extra day for Nadine and Malcolm which was very hard on them. Nadine had to pile on pressure to the insurance company to deal with the arrangements which they initially got wrong. Despite the extra day it took, it was a good experience and they arrived home around 1530 on Sunday 14 April.
The girls and I used the extra time to shop for groceries and prepare a downstairs nest area for Malcolm. We moved two baby mattresses to our front sitting room, piled extra pillows around them with plenty of blankets, and we organized lots of his toys for easy access. This also provided time for the girls to get settled, catch up on homework and be ready for school on Monday.
Nadine’s and Malcolm’s journey involved ambulance van transfer to a regional airport called Dole Jura Airport. This is about 1-1/2 hrs from the hospital in Macon. Here are pictures from inside the ambulance. Malcolm had to lie flat the entire time.
At Dole-Jura Airport they were met by the crew of the air ambulance service. Here’s their website:
It is a fascinating business and very much a feel-good type of enterprise. They do a lot of ski injury medical transfers during the winter months. They used one of their prop planes for this assignment - Piper Cheyenne IIXL. The crew consisted of a pilot and a co-pilot who also has nursing qualifications.
They flew to London Luton airport (regional airport northwest of central London) where another ambulance transferred them to our house (approximately 45 minutes).
Nadine enjoyed the VIP treatment – going directly on to a plane with no check in or security!! as well as none on the other end. The weather was nice except for some crosswinds when they landed at Luton airport, customs & immigration officers came to their plane and 2 minutes later they were moved into the waiting ambulance for the trip to our house. That's about as quick as it gets in air travel and a taste of how real VIPs move between countries.
What a relief it was to be back home! Here are a couple of pictures of Sophie helping Malcolm get comfortable with his new living arrangements.
