STATUS REPORT & UPDATE

Here is where we are:

Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Elder French arrived home and met with President Garns. Tyler received his medical release and a blessing. President Garns blessed him to heal quickly and to have doctors who would be able to determine the best course of treatment to enable him to return quickly to the mission field.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tyler met with his primary physician was referred to an orthopedic surgeon.

Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tyler met with Dr. Darakjian who reviewed the MRI / Arthrogram films and reports from Dr. Sorenson in Utah. Dr. Darakjian gave us the following news and information:
#1. Tyler’s tear in the labrum is in the front of the shoulder and is probably not causing his shoulder pain which goes in to the back part of his shoulder.
#2. He believes that the pain is likely caused by a scratch on the bone occurring when the dislocation occurred and aggravated by his back pack use in the mission field. He said that such a scratch often creates an arthritic condition that is painful in the joint. He felt that Tyler’s lack of pre-mission pain was due to the fact that Ty had been working out aggressively and had strengthened the muscles around the shoulder, relieving pressure on the problem area.

Prognosis:
Dr. Darakjian said that if he operates Tyler will be unable to return the mission field for at least four months. However, if an aggressive exercise/physical therapy program shows some benefit, he will return him to the field in three to four weeks.

Obviously, we are praying for the success of the exercise therapy. Ty started the exercises immediately (and is quite sore!). We are taking the MRI films to another doctor for second (or actually, a third) opinion. We will let you know as soon as we know more. In any case, we are going to try this approach before surgical intervention. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.