We went to the Orthopedics yesterday for Siena's foot and mostly heard repetition things, but as we were driving home Joel and I had a conversation that I thought was worth repeating. It went as follows:
"Can you imagine if they told you up-front everything that they were going to have to do for her club foot at the first appointment?"
"No! That would be insane!"
"Ya, it would go similar to this: 'Well, it is just a club foot... but first we will cast her for about 4 weeks, and you'll have to come in once a week for that. We will have to cut her Achilles tendon on the 3rd one and then hope that it heals right. After the casts, you'll have to put these annoying shoes on nightly that she is going to hate and probably scream while you lace them and buckle them every night. At about 9 months, we will take an x-ray of her legs to determine how her bones and everything are developing, because with only 4 toes can come many complications such as missing your ACL, your fibula, or possibly another bone in your hip area. She's is likely to have 1 smaller foot that you will have to either buy 2 different pairs of shoes for, or buy shoes at Nordstrom because they are pretty much the only store that allows you to purchase 2 shoes of different sizes. If her leg ends up being shorter there are 2 options. Option one is that she will have a little surgery where we will place brackets on the growth plates on her longer leg so that it will stunt the growth for a bit so that the shorter leg can catch up. It's possible we may have to do that twice. Option 2 is the more likely candidate because her leg is probably going to be more than about 5 cm shorter. With this option we will go in, cut her bones in her leg, and then she will wear a brace for 6 months that you will stretch daily so that her leg lengthens. OH! and we'll probably have to do that twice as well. You will continue to have to come in about every 6 months too. But I think that is it. Any questions?'"
....SILENCE.
lol. Ya. I think it's best that they break it up. Doesn't seem as bad when you get little bits and pieces here and there.
She had the little xray thing, and they said that her fibula(I think that was the bone) was there and looks good so far. They can't really tell anything else yet, like if she's missing her ACL or any of that. He did say that her leg is almost 2 cm shorter though, so she will probably have to do the lengthening option where they will cut the bone and she would wear a brace. They wouldn't do that until she was about 5 or so, then again at 11 or something like that.So there's the update!
Hope you're having a lovely day!
Aw, I'm sorry, Kris. Gosh. Those surgeries sound terrible. & You have already dealt so much with that. I can't imagine how you're feeling right now. I love that little baby! Siena will be in our prayers. <3
ReplyDeleteAmazing update, Kristin! I saw this on FB! Thinking of you ALL this week with everyone gathered around and celebrating Joel! CONGRATS to him!!! I know you are both so happy to be done! Sienna is a DOLL and I love love love your header picture! That is the cutest picture! I sure hope to see you guys when you come to your mom and dad's...when will that be?? I wish the last two times I was in town that it wasn't for 2-3 days..not near enough time and I missed seeing you guys! Take care!
ReplyDeleteI loved what Kari and Rachel had to say, Kristin! I'm sorry for the struggles that will bring for all of you. You going through that reminded me of this. Your doctor chose not to tell you everything at once about everything and you didn't have to go through what you have already gone through all at once either. You took one step at a time. I believe that is the wisdom also of our Father in Heaven, too, He gives us line upon line, here a little there a little. We go through life's many struggles this way and we generally don't get ALL the problems all at once either. Wish we didn't have to have any problems but it is in the plan of testing and proving. Thanks for this well written piece that gives us all some insight. Both you and Joel are such capable people; she came to just the right couple who would have the strength to endure it well. You have a beautiful, happy child and so blessed. My companion and I were both talking tonight about couples we each knew that had children born to them, that they would not live out their natural lives. That is a most difficult test! Give Siena a big hug and a kiss for me! She will be so big by the time I get to see her again. Show her a picture of me once in awhile so she won't think I am a stranger please. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteStill having trouble commenting! Trying again. TEST< TEST
ReplyDeleteYou have had such a positive attitude through all of this. It would be so hard for me to watch my daughter go through all of that. You are such a fabulous mama.
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys are loving Texas. Miss you at quilt night.