Help support Zane’s recovery journey.

I’ve been contemplating starting this fundraiser but the stress is starting to become unbearable and the migraines are becoming more frequent. Some already know what’s been going on but here is Zane’s story.

On Saturday, February 22nd, Zane woke up with a sore left ankle. He couldn’t put any weight on it, and it was red, slightly swollen, and warm to the touch. I took him to urgent care, during his exam the doctor said it wasn’t a normal exam. He couldn’t move his ankle at all and she was very concerned. You couldn’t even touch his ankle without causing extreme pain. After the exam the doctor stepped out for a few minutes. She came back saying she called her husband who is a pediatric orthopedic and he said we needed to get to the ER immediately. The ER took him right in and started an IV for pain meds, drew his blood, and did an X-ray. Bloodwork came back showing he had an infection and needed to see a pediatric doctor, so we were transported to CHOC where he was admitted, and we would end up staying for a week. I’m so grateful that Doctor didn’t just send us on our way with antibiotics and she trusted her gut. I could see God in all of this.

On Sunday, February 23rd, he was put under to do an MRI of his ankle. It was more swollen, the redness was spreading up his leg, and it was hot to the touch. Results came back that he had an infection in the joint and bone, and surgery was needed. That news was scary to hear, but I knew he was in good hands and trusted that God would bring us comfort. Later that evening, we got to watch Levi’s tourney on my phone! The boys kept chanting, “Do it for Zane!” It made him smile and me get teary-eyed of course.

On Monday, February 24th, my baby went in for ankle surgery. They cleaned out the infection and drilled a hole in his bone to see how far the infection went. They packed it with gauze, which they’d remove in 2 days. My baby was in so much pain that the pain meds weren’t even helping. It broke my heart. He tried sleeping the majority of the day.

On Tuesday, February 25th, Daddy and Levi came to visit! It made Zane happy to see them, and we even played some Go Fish. He slept a lot and was just recovering from surgery. They informed us that Zane had a septic staph infection. So grateful I took him in right away and didn’t wait because it spread so fast.

On Wednesday, February 26th, the doctor came to remove the gauze, but when he tried pulling it out, it was stuck. So Zane ended up going in for another surgery to remove the packing and clean out his ankle again. When Zane woke up, he was pain-free; it was incredible. Who knew that removing the packing would also remove all his pain too? God is so good! I told Zane before he went in for surgery that “it’s not ok but it’s all gonna be alright.” We love that song, and it has become a part of his story now. We played a lot of Go Fish, listened to music, and laughed a lot. Today was a good day! And at night, we got to watch and cheer for Levi on my phone again!

On Thursday, February 27th, Daddy, Zeke, Ean, Levi, and Grandma Mona came to visit. Zane got to take his first trip downstairs in a wheelchair, of course, but it felt so nice to finally leave the room. We got to eat lunch with the family and take a little tour of CHOC. We spent a few hours together and, of course, played some Go Fish! Zane has become a pro! It had been 24 hours since Zane had pain medicine too! It was another great day!

On Friday, February 28th, Zane’s boot was delivered to the hospital, and he had his first PT session. He got to try walking with his new boot and a walker. It was uncomfortable at first, but he has slowly gotten the hang of it. The doctors said that it is crucial that Zane only puts weight on his ankle when wearing the boot. If he tries putting any weight without the boot, it will break his fibula (the infected bone that is pitted from the infection, so it’s very weak). This would also be the day we would find out that he won’t be returning to school until May. He has to have PT, weekly appointments with various specialties at CHOC, weekly bloodwork, antibiotics 4 times a day, etc., for at least the next 5 weeks.

On Saturday, March 1st, we finally got to go home!!

Since we’ve been home he’s had a few doctor appointments and a lot of blood draws. His infection is clearing up and his bone looks great. It’s still weak but he’s able to walk at home without the boot. He’s still on his road to recovery but things are looking good for him.

We’re reaching out for any help possible to help with the various medical expenses for Zane and to help relieve the added stress during this already scary and difficult time. With all of Zane’s appointments, I stayed home to take care of him. Since I’m a substitute, I don’t get paid time off. It will end up being 2 months of no pay for me. I’m happy to stay home and take care of him; this is where I want and need to be. But the financial burden is adding so much stress. Any help is greatly appreciated! We’re just so happy our boy is recovering and pray he has complete healing.