Ansley’s 3-Day Story

Posted on October 3, 2011 by DrEric in Daily Sprout No Comments

Nearly two years later – I want to tell you more.  If you read this one back in 2011, read on and see my conclusion…

Well, it has been an interesting three days.  It was Thursday evening when I received a call at the office from my wife as I was finishing the shift, and preparing for a doctor’s report.  She (Laura) was very upset, and felt confident that Ansley had broken her leg.  She was driving her to the office so that I could look at her, but more importantly so she could have me with them for a trip to the ER.

When I first checked Ansley out, I felt confident that she did not break her leg, she was calm and seemed fine.  Then… well then she moved her leg, and the crying was severe.  So, sure enough, after 5 hours in the ER, we came away with a spiral fracture of the right tibia, a possible salter harris fracture in the growth plate of the tibia as well (at the ankle).  Pretty bad break, and no real knowledge of how it happened.  However I have a point I would like to get to.

So my goal is to use this as an education piece.  We teach a lifestyle and a philosophy that governs that lifestyle, so when problems arise, so do questions as to how you should respond.  Ansley had never had a drug in her life, and the pursuit of that lifestyle is important, however the value of a drug for pain relief when you have a broken leg, is a little more important than a philosophical focus.

So we gave her a hydrocodone/tylenol mix in the ER, strong stuff, but I wanted to be sure that we gave her enough to get her home comfortably and into bed.  The nurses thought we were barbaric for simply letting her go as long as we did without pain meds (we held off until they were ready to cast her, as we wanted to make that part as comfortable as possible).  From that time, we have given her three doses of ibuprofen (infant version with the oral syringe), very low doses, and have done it only when it has been absolutely necessary.  Why?  We want her body to heal as well as possible, and according to articles like this one, we realize that sometimes a simple drug like ibuprofen can inhibit healing.

The body works best with NO interference, not just reduced interference.  We are designed to heal on our own, and when we interrupt that healing, we have no idea what the outcome is.  So comfort, but only the amount that is necessary. I will say, it is difficult when your children are in pain, but being wise to find other solutions will always bring the better outcome.  She has now learned how to move without contracting her leg muscles (not walk, she is in a wheelchair), but roll over, sit up, and scoot along on her bottom.  By working to teach her how to control whether she contracts her leg muscles or not, she has been very successful in NOT creating additional pain.

From here on out, the focus will be minimize meds, adjust regularly, a high level of nutrition in all areas, and a ton of rest.  Simple basic rules to health, live them out and trust.  I’ll keep you up to date as we go along… oh, and she fell from a playset wave ladder, no rungs in the ladder, just footholes, one of which we believe she got caught in as she fell, thus twisting and bending her leg, causing the break.  Brooke will be 7 in January and still has had no meds ever.  Should she fall off a horse one of these days (pray no) and break something… she’ll be medicated too.  It’s not a badge, it is simply a pursuit. Be well, be blessed!

-Dr. E

We will be showing a new movie in the coming weeks, one about the “science” of medicine.  Fantastic watch, that everyone needs to tune into.  But more so, Over the coming three weeks, we will be driving you to take a serious look at your supplementation spending habits.  Your dietary spending habits, your exercise habits, your commitment to a lifestyle.

I believe, and will always believe, that having an aligned spine is the MOST important piece to health.  But then you need to FEED that nervous system appropriately.  Tomorrow night at 7:30pm there is an open party at CrossFit Towne Lake where you will be educated.  You will be taught to take some steps.  It will be a tasting party with wine and cheese and other things.  Wine?  Cheese?  I thought we were getting healthy?   Yep, you need to know when, where, how, how not to, and why.

If you aren’t taking Juice Plus or a very comparable whole food supplement, you are missing out.   Period.  GNC will never do you right.  If you aren’t pushing towards 20 mg a day of Omega-3, you are missing out, and 50 billion probiotics daily, you are… yep you guessed it, missing out.  Start to learn now, and build towards our September Nutrition Challenge.

Like I said above… Be Well and Be Blessed!  – Dr. E