April 20th, 2018, coming down a roof access ladder, my foot slipped; I fall 18-20 feet onto a hard-concrete floor, barely missing a scissor lift. I completely crush my tibia bone above my ankle. It is believed my right leg is now about two inches shorter than the left from the impact. I am told I have a pilon fracture in my right leg, broken tibia in the right leg and crushed heel on the left. I also have torn up most of the cartilage; in other words, my legs are a mess!

Because we are now many, many miles from home at the time of the accident, we start the calls to find a doctor closer to home. Luckily, my mom has a friend that has been seeing an orthopedic doctor at Twin Cities Orthopedics. We are referred to Dr. Bryan Den Hartog. Even while he is on vacation with his family, he reviews pictures of my scans and is willing and able to take my case! I have one more surgery in St. Cloud (where the accident happened) to put a plate and screws on my fibula and start learning how to transfer from location to location using a board and without using my legs. I need to learn how to use a wheelchair, how to get in and out of a car, how to put on my clothes and do the simplest of tasks we all take for granted every day.

Over the next couple of weeks, I have surgery to start “fixing” me up! Surgery #3, I have my fixator removed and more plates and screws put in. Bone fragments and pieces of cartilage are removed. Bone grafts are done. I have screws put into my left heel to fuse it together. I spend another four days in the hospital, I can leave for home to start the new way of doing things while I heal.

During this healing process, I was completely wheel chair bound. Many modifications needed to be made at home so I could get around and attempt to do things on my own. Unfortunately, my incision is not healing properly and I have surgery #4 to pull my skin together on my shin so it can heal; I am also back in a cast.

July 23rd, 2019 is the first time since the accident, I can start to put any weight on my legs. Being able to stand upright for the first time in three months was the best! I still cannot walk, but I can now use my left leg to help me get around a little easier in the wheelchair.

July 30th, I start physical therapy and can stand up for short periods of time! I even take a couple steps this day, but I am still in the wheelchair, as I cannot put my whole body weight on my feet quite yet.

August 17th, I start walking down the hallway at physical therapy – things are starting to move better. At the end of August, I have small set back as a screw has started to work its way out; surgery #5 is scheduled. Luckily, this only delays physical therapy for about a week and I am back at it.

Beginning of September, I am walking around in physical therapy quite a bit. By the end of September, five long months later, I no longer need the wheelchair to get around and have graduated to using the walker! Being able to walk out of the physical therapy door was the best. From that point on, I work to get stronger and work on my walking. It is still somewhat painful, and I am limping, but no more wheelchair. Within a month or so, I am no longer using the walker either. Freedom at last!

In February 2019, the hardware in my leg is starting to bother me so I have another surgery #6 to remove the plate on my fibula and screws in my left heel. We venture to Eagan during a blizzard, but we get there and have my surgery. Recovery from this surgery was a slow and painful process and I am back to using the walker or crutches to help keep me stable as I walk for a couple of weeks. At my follow-up appointment though, things look great so I do not need to come back until May; longest in between appointments since my accident.

Things will never be the same for me, but from where I started April 20th, 2018 to today, is huge. We knew the outcome was ok/good for me to walk again, but you will never know for sure until you get there. I will need additional surgeries on my right leg that could be as extensive as a complete ankle replacement, but from having completely shattered bones and not being able to walk to where I am today, I will take it. I am so grateful for Dr. Den Hartog and Lindsey Ortlip for all they have done and will continue to do for me. Because of the two of them, I am walking today, even if it is with a limp. The hundreds of miles and hours in the car driving to the cities for appointments and surgeries have all been worth it. Thank you to Dr. Den Hartog, Lindsey and the numerous other TCO staff for helping me and my family through this. But, most importantly, THANK YOU for allowing me the chance to walk once again. I have a step daughter and a daughter on the way in June. Because of you, I will be able to WALK them down the aisle some day.

Dr. Den Hartog did a fantastic job fixing my foot. As a nurse, I am very picky when choosing care for myself and my family. I have worked with a lot of doctors. I hate to admit, but I am often hard to please. Dr. Den Hartog is very skilled and knowledgeable. He is a great guy to talk to. He is kind and patient. He took his time in answering all my questions. I am very happy with my choice to have Dr. Den Hartog as my specialist and would highly recommend him!

TO ANYONE NEEDING ANKLE/FOOT SURGERY: This place was phenomenal! Seriously the greatest medical facility and staff I’ve ever been to! I’ve had 5 different surgeries of varying types from various surgeons and staff over the years, from ankle to hernia surgeries. This is my very first surgery with Dr. Bryan Den Hartog. He is beyond amazing as are ALL the staff I encountered. I didn’t know this level of care and professionalism existed. I’m overwhelmingly grateful to have gone to TCO Eagan. 5 stars all day long!

My husband is a retired anesthesiologist. He observed many foot and ankle surgeons in the OR. He says Dr. Den Hartog is by far the best foot and ankle surgeon he has ever seen. After he moved from our community, we drove 600 miles for surgery by him. He is kind, humble and brilliant. Hands are extremely skilled.

My dear Dr. Den Hartog,

As I said in my note to Chris, this is horrifically late, but that by no means dilutes the heartfelt message. I would also be verbally flagellated by one of my contemporaries for typing versus hand penning, but I really want to express the point and be assured you can read it versus seeking volumes to help decipher hieroglyphics! As I said to Chris, and reiterate here, I have been accused of being a physician.

Let this begin with an enormous apology for being somewhat surly and contentious on our first meeting. You stepped in on a moment’s notice to correct a rare aberration, and were met with the humor of an asp. Before I continue, I hope that you accept my very humble apology. I was still reeling over the X-ray that Larry showed, and the resultant powerful emotions or grief, anger, and resolution can sometimes create a noxious and somewhat venomous reaction.

The reconstruction that you did with such delicate artistry was not the only rebuild, and though it was the predominate goal, the concomitant result was even greater. Having to be nearly inactive for three weeks was inconceivable, and that created a collision of thoughts that had to be ameliorated into some sort of positivity. I will be forever grateful for the repair, but I am nearly at a loss to explain the enormous transformation of the mind, spirit, and soul. This entire experience presented one of the greatest offerings of life’s pedagogy that I have ever encountered.

Now that I have expostulated on the more serious matter, let me add that your precocious emanation of sheer joy is exorbitantly contagious! Though you stated that I wouldn’t recall our post-surgery dialogue, I not only remember all that was said, but more so still grin at the very clear vision in my mind’s recall: Every person there bubbling with laughter in response to your highly effervescent presence.

We all have memories of being with the occasional wonderful person, but there are few who receive the unexpected elation of having been sliced and diced by such a “euphoric!”

With all that said, you did not just put my ankle back together. You also reconstructed my fractured intensity, and my very shattered belief in myself. I hope you fully comprehend what an enormous life-changing journey this has been, and strangely enough, will continue to be.

Many blessings much gratitude, and as always, a HUGE amount of humor, Portia H.

God truly blessed me with Dr. Den Hartog, Lindsay, and the rest of the TCO staff! I had total ankle replacement on both of my ankles between January and April. My results are amazing! The pain is completely gone! We couldn’t imagine better care anywhere!