Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Ever since high school soccer season started this spring, Hadrian has been having excruciating pain in her lower legs. I kept listening to her compaints, and kept thinking hhhmmmm. Ok, Hadrian. I took her seriously, but at the same time, I am thinking these are some really weird symptoms you are having! I was hoping her legs might just heal on their own. You know, one of those miracle cures where it just suddenly all feels better! The sports trainer at school has been working with her. She has been getting stretched, and pulled, and massaged, and taped and iced all through the day at school. All by our young, amazingly cute, sports trainer. It has been making me wonder if she wasn't somehow enjoying this pain!? : )

But, watching her play soccer has just about been too much for me. Grayson was playing Parkview (biggest game of our season!) and Hadrian played so hard - all the while dying!! I could tell every single minute of the game was pure torture because her legs were hurting so very badly, but she played right through the pain. And, she played amazingly well. What a girl! I love her for being such a trooper!!

Well, we had an appointment scheduled yesterday with the sports doctor. The PA first came in and checked her out, and he said he had seen this problem only once before in a girl who had sickle cell anemia. And, since Hadrian doesn't have sickle cell anemia, he wasn't sure if he was correct with his diagnosis, so he went to get the real doctor.

Well, Dr. Traub agreed with the PA, but he wanted to test Hadrian. She had to run until the pain started (which took all of 2 minutes), and then he checked her again. He said her legs were so swollen on the inside after two minutes of running that there was no doubt in his mind that she has the dreaded compartment syndrome. Usually, making this diagnosis is very difficult. It usually takes test after test after test, and they usually stick needles with measuring instruments in your legs to check the pressure in the compartments. But, Hadrian didn't need any of the tests! The reason this is so hard to diagnose is because the legs look perfectly normal on the outside but they swell on the inside. But, it is good we got a definitive diagnosis immediately so we know what we are dealing with here.

Since this is such an uncommon condition, let me explain. Muscles are enclosed within a tight tissue called a fascia. Normally, the fascia has enough extra room to allow the muscle to function without a problem. With Hadrian, her fascia is too tight, and it constricts the muscle during activity. This stops the blood flow to the muscle. The lack of blood flow causes ischemia which is the same phenomenon as a heart attack. So, just as a heart attack causes chest pain, this lack of blood flow in the legs causes severe leg pain.

So, Hadrian has to completely rest her legs for six weeks while taking anti-inflammatories. We will see if this helps. If not, we move on to surgery which is called a fasciotomy. Dr. Traub thinks he has performed two of these in his entire 14 year career. Seriously?!

Well, there is never a dull moment around our house. Always something happening, or in this case, not happening. No soccer for six weeks?! What will we do?!

Busy Week for the Plott's

This is everybody who was at the wedding!

Including pastor, sound man, and a dear sweet family (the Jackson's) who helped Haley with the entire wedding! Haley's best friend from high school was there (Amanda), and her best friend from college (Magnificent Michelle). Bryan and me and Austin's family!

The Newly Weds!!

Haley is ready to walk down the isle!!

Marriage License

The wedding was absolutely beautiful! Haley and I, and a few others, went to the church about 1 p.m. on Friday. We decorated and set everything up. Then, it was time to get ready! We all got dressed in the Bridal Room, and we were ready for pictures at 6 p.m. Well, Haley's dad, Bryan, was running late getting there, so the photographer did as many pictures as she could before hand, but we held off on family pictures until after the wedding. The wedding was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Bryan called and told us he had been stuck in horrible traffic near the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was race weekend, and he had not allowed extra time for that! So, late he was!! He didn't get to the wedding until after 7:30, and he still had to change clothes. The wedding started about 7:45 - finally! whew!

Haley had been so calm until her dad was late, and then she started stressing a bit. But, we calmed her down and assured her everybody would stay as long as it took to see this wedding take place. Austin didn't see Haley on Friday until she walked down the isle in her beautiful dress. And, she had something old (old handkerchief from a family friend), something new (her dress), something borrowed (earrings from her friend, Michelle) and something blue (garter). It was the perfect wedding for Haley and Austin! And, they left Saturday night for Las Vegas. I am still in Warner Robins house sitting, but I will be leaving this afternoon. The newlyweds are having a great time and will be home on Wednesday.

I don't think I followed up with Hadrian's DECA competition. She finished 8th in the state. She was very disappointed that she didn't make it to nationals, but I think it is amazing to finish in the top ten in the state!! There are so many kids that get weeded out in county and regional competitions that it is amazing to even make it to the state competition. And, she is only a junior, so she can compete again next year if she chooses. Hadrian said the DECA competition is by far the most intense and amazing thing she has ever done! She was pumped just to make it through it! There were written tests, memorization, two presentations, and of course, being drilled by different panels of judges about her marketing plan. She said the judges seemed really impressed, so that is why she was hopeful about going to nationals. But, I am thrilled for her because this is such an amazing accomplishment! Hannah said that after her DECA competitions, public speaking became SO much easier. Presentations in college are a breeze after going through that!

Hannah is finally on her way to Haiti! If you are on facebook, you have been following the updates. But, I have some dear friends who read my blog that are not on facebook. So, sorry if this is a repeat! Hannah's group arrived at the airport early (5 a.m.) on Saturday morning. Their direct flight into Haiti was delayed due to mechanical problems with the plane. And, after waiting for about two hours, the announcement was made that the mechanics considered the plane "unsafe" to fly, so the flight was cancelled. Well, thank you Lord that they did not take off in a plane that had major issues!! But, there was not another flight scheduled for Haiti until Wednesday! So, they were scrambling for an alternate plan.

The group came home from the airport on Saturday, spent the night at home, and left extremely early for the airport again on Sunday morning! This time they got on a plane, flew into Miami, and had plans to catch a connecting flight to the Dominican Republic from Miami. Well, they get to Miami, and the airlines (American Airlines) cancelled the flight to the Dominican for no apparent reason. So, they spent the entire day and night in Miami.

Around 10 a.m. this morning, Hannah called and said they were finally boarding a plane to fly into the Dominican Republic. When they landed in the Dominican, they will be taking a bus ride to a smaller airport in the Dominican. And, then they will be taking a little plane, called the turtle, over to Haiti. They should finally be in Haiti around 5 p.m. today. I just hope the traveling goes smoothly today!!! They are already two days late getting there! But, we are trusting that God is in control and He knows best about the details of this trip!

So, these are our family updates for now. More to follow soon! : )