Caden's fractured J A W

It's been a rough two months, yes- two m o n t h s for Caden.

Sometime the end of January, Jim pushed the button to open our van door at the same time Caden was running toward it.

We knew the crash hurt him, but there was minimal swelling and he still ate and talked just fine.

We gave him Motrin and iced it. He acted ok, but let us know from time to time that it still hurt.

Three weeks {or so} later, as Jim was brushing Caden's teeth he touched the outside of his cheek at his jawline causing immediate pain.

After feeling the area, he felt a bump on his jaw that we had no idea was there.

The next day, we took him into the clinic first thing. X-rays came back negative and the {idiot} provider basically told us, "If it doesn't hurt unless you touch it- don't touch it." It would go away.

Another two visits to family practice, the pediatric dentist and oral surgeon and Caden's bump never went down. Three weeks ago, the oral surgeon told us his next step would be to order a CT scan.

That follow-up appointment was Monday.

Sunday afternoon, while playing with friends something bumped his jaw causing extreme pain and an enormous amount of swelling that continued through the night.

By Monday morning, I was in the ER with him determined to get answers and help our little guy feel better.

Fortunately, we got an ER doctor who took it seriously and an oral surgeon {the one he had previously seen} who finally took charge. A doctor now that we will always remember.

By 11:00, he had a CT scan done, IV started and was admitted to the pediatrics unit. The doctor lined up surgery and said he wanted to do it somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00. He was in surgery at 3:15. It was a lot to take in so quickly.

The cat scan showed he did have a fractured jaw.

Prepared for the worst, we were expecting him to have his mouth wired shut for 4 weeks, a drain hole in his jaw and a 4-5 night hospital stay.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wire it shut, did all the work inside and we were able to come home after a short one-night stay.

I can't describe in words how blessed we feel.

When asked in the post-op room if he wanted medicine through his IV, he shook his head no. When asked how he was his short reply, "good."

We can't even imagine the pressure and pain he's been dealing with for the last two months.

The diagnosis- chronic osteomyelitis, or bone infection.

With an incision inside the mouth from almost to his ear lobe to his chin, the doctor spent nearly the whole two-hour surgery cleaning out not only infection but the new bone that had grown trying to heal.

What a reminder of how amazing the body is.

Now, it's a completely liquid diet for 5-6 weeks along with nothing that would risk any kind of movement.

No t-ball {which started today}.
No playground playing.
No Conan.

No football, which might be the worst of all for him. He even limited walking up and down stairs if possible.

It's only day one at home and I can already see the challenge ahead for us. This little guy doesn't like to sit.

Already, his jaw feels better. Our poor baby.