What I am feeling is hard to describe. Although we've been through this before 1 year ago, it still feels like it did when we discovered her hip dysplasia at her 9 month appointment. It was devastating to think our perfect little girl had something wrong with her, and it was heartbreaking knowing I had absolutely no power over it. I couldn't change it, and all I could do was accept it and move ahead. Now, 1 year later, 1 CR sugery and 10 months in a brace behind us, we find out her hip socket just stopped forming and another surgery and spica cast are needed. What I'm feeling is helplessness because again I have absolutely no control over this and I can't fix it. I also feel heart-broken because she has to go through surgery again, and she has to endure that cast again. She doesn't understand what is happening, and that makes it even harder.
I'm her mother, and I'm supposed to be able to fix things and make it all better. I can't fix this, and I can't prevent her from having to go through this surgery, pain, and that cast. When it's your child, and you are powerless to protect them from something, it makes you feel inadequate and helpless because all you want is to make it all go away and you can't. It's that feeling of being stuck and not in control that is really difficult.
People tell me all the time to be thankful because it could be worse. I know that things could definately be worse, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't thank God that she's healthy despite her hip. I am very thankful that she's healthy otherwise, and I don't take that for granted. It doesn't mean that something more minor like this can't make you hurt just the same. Unless they have experienced it firsthand, most people don't really understand how heart-wrenching it is to hand over their child to a doctor and his medical staff and trust them to take the best care of them. After kissing her, telling her how much I loved her, and handing her to the nurse, I immediately wanted to turn around and run after them, grab my daughter, and get as far away from that hospital as I could. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it's the single hardest thing you will ever do. For me, handing her over this time is going to be even harder than the first time.
Explaining how I feel about all this is really difficult because there are so many different emotions involved. Sometimes I feel like I just have to be strong, and if I break-down and cry, I'm not being strong for Savannah. I make every effort to not cry in front of her because I want things to be as normal as possible under the circumstances. If I feel the need to break down and cry over everything, then I normally do it when she's taking her nap or at night when she's sleeping. Only once have I sat rocking her, looking at her while she slept in my arms, and just cried. I keep thinking of how beautiful and innocent she was, and how she had no clue what was happening, and I wept. This was a few days after we found out she needed another surgery and cast. Just having somebody understand how I feel and to tell me it is perfectly fine to feel the way I do, perfectly fine to cry if I need to, and to tell me everything is going to be alright is what I need to hear sometimes.
How am I doing now? I am doing better. I have accepted what is to be, and I decided to enjoy every minute I can with her before her surgery. Don't get me wrong, I am still heartbroken that she has to go through this, and I still have those same feelings I mentioned above, but I am dealing with that better everyday. We got through her first surgery and we survived the spica cast, so I know we will do the same this time, but it's still hard to deal with at times. God will take care of her as HE always has, and I take comfort knowing that. I just pray this surgery/cast will truely be the end of this nightmare, and we will graduate to occasional follow-up appointments. This is my hope, my wish, my prayer, but only God knows what is best for Savannah. I just have to trust HIM to take care of her, and I do!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Baby 1st Story
I sent Savannah's story to baby first tv for a chance to appear on their programming. I don't expect to ever hear back from them, but it still felt great doing this for her. It would be cool if her story got chosen, but I'm ok if it doesn't. Anyway, here is what I submitted..
Dear Baby First Tv,
My daughter, Savannah, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in her left hip when she was nine months old. She was born without a fully developed left hip socket. The following month, she had a CR surgery(closed reduction), and was put in a spica body cast for 6 weeks. She endured her first Christmas in that body cast, which was really hard since she couldn’t even sit up in it to play with her toys. We had a special table made just for her so she would have some sense of normalcy while she was in her cast. The table was only part of what made her life (and ours) easier during this difficult time. The baby first tv channel was the other missing piece of the puzzle. It was the entertainment she needed during the day when nothing else would satisfy her, and at night when she was too uncomfortable to sleep. Not only was my baby entertained, but amazingly her development and language skills blossomed. She started to pick up words, identify the different animals and their sounds, some shapes, colors, letters, and many other things. It was great to watch her blossom and grow, and I enjoyed interacting with her while watching the different programs on baby first tv.
Savannah is now twenty-two months old, and even though her cast was removed right before her first birthday, she still has to continue wearing a hip brace during the night. She is being monitored every two to four months to make sure her hip socket continues to grow and develop on its own. During her most recent check-up, we discovered her hip socket stopped growing on its own. She is scheduled for a pelvic osteotomy on February 12 (time unknown), and she will be immobilized in a spica cast again for 6 weeks. We were devastated to hear things stopped progressing, but we are also really thankful to know that baby first tv is going to be there to help us through the long days and hard nights again.
Savannah loves the baby first tv channel. Her favorite programs are Peek-a-Boo, Harry the Bunny, Rainbow Horse, Petey the Paintbrush, and many others. She has learned so much, and continues to grow and blossom in her vocabulary skills. Her new favorite program is My Gym at Home. She wants to do what the other babies do on the program, but sometimes I have to modify it because of her hip. She doesn’t mind the modifications I make because she’s just happy being able to play and participate. I enjoy being able to interact with her during that program, and she loves it. She still has many nights where she is uncomfortable and sleep is difficult, and even harder nights are to come with her upcoming surgery. Baby first night-time programs were a lifesaver in the past, and even now. It’s the night-time programming that is going to help me through those long hard nights after her upcoming surgery. She loves the soft music, drawings submitted by other children, the mobiles/merry-go-round, the sand art, and the many other things seen on the night programs.
Even though the future is unknown, I know I can count on baby first tv to see us through it. Thank you for your great programs and for being there when my baby needs you the most. It would mean so much to us if Savannah’s story was chosen to appear on baby first tv. She is truly a baby first tv baby, and continues to grow and develop everyday with the help of your programming.
Sincerely,
Britany, Matthew, and Savannah McDonald
I also attached three pictures. One of her in her cast, one in her brace, and one of her now.
Dear Baby First Tv,
My daughter, Savannah, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in her left hip when she was nine months old. She was born without a fully developed left hip socket. The following month, she had a CR surgery(closed reduction), and was put in a spica body cast for 6 weeks. She endured her first Christmas in that body cast, which was really hard since she couldn’t even sit up in it to play with her toys. We had a special table made just for her so she would have some sense of normalcy while she was in her cast. The table was only part of what made her life (and ours) easier during this difficult time. The baby first tv channel was the other missing piece of the puzzle. It was the entertainment she needed during the day when nothing else would satisfy her, and at night when she was too uncomfortable to sleep. Not only was my baby entertained, but amazingly her development and language skills blossomed. She started to pick up words, identify the different animals and their sounds, some shapes, colors, letters, and many other things. It was great to watch her blossom and grow, and I enjoyed interacting with her while watching the different programs on baby first tv.
Savannah is now twenty-two months old, and even though her cast was removed right before her first birthday, she still has to continue wearing a hip brace during the night. She is being monitored every two to four months to make sure her hip socket continues to grow and develop on its own. During her most recent check-up, we discovered her hip socket stopped growing on its own. She is scheduled for a pelvic osteotomy on February 12 (time unknown), and she will be immobilized in a spica cast again for 6 weeks. We were devastated to hear things stopped progressing, but we are also really thankful to know that baby first tv is going to be there to help us through the long days and hard nights again.
Savannah loves the baby first tv channel. Her favorite programs are Peek-a-Boo, Harry the Bunny, Rainbow Horse, Petey the Paintbrush, and many others. She has learned so much, and continues to grow and blossom in her vocabulary skills. Her new favorite program is My Gym at Home. She wants to do what the other babies do on the program, but sometimes I have to modify it because of her hip. She doesn’t mind the modifications I make because she’s just happy being able to play and participate. I enjoy being able to interact with her during that program, and she loves it. She still has many nights where she is uncomfortable and sleep is difficult, and even harder nights are to come with her upcoming surgery. Baby first night-time programs were a lifesaver in the past, and even now. It’s the night-time programming that is going to help me through those long hard nights after her upcoming surgery. She loves the soft music, drawings submitted by other children, the mobiles/merry-go-round, the sand art, and the many other things seen on the night programs.
Even though the future is unknown, I know I can count on baby first tv to see us through it. Thank you for your great programs and for being there when my baby needs you the most. It would mean so much to us if Savannah’s story was chosen to appear on baby first tv. She is truly a baby first tv baby, and continues to grow and develop everyday with the help of your programming.
Sincerely,
Britany, Matthew, and Savannah McDonald
I also attached three pictures. One of her in her cast, one in her brace, and one of her now.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Pelvic Osteotomy :(
Savannah's appointment Friday (December 12) was a complete shocker for us. She is going to need a pelvic osteotomy (I think that's what hers is called. She was doing so well, and the socket was forming on it's own, but just stopped. She will have her surgery sometime in February(no date known yet). Of course that means another spica cast and everything.
I have really had a difficult time with it this time. Last time, it was a closed reduction, but this time she will be cut on, and I can't stand the thought of it. I want to puke when I think about it. Her daddy is really having a hard time with it. He's not really slept much since we found out, and he just cleans house till all hours of the night because he can't sleep. I am praying he will sleep better tonight because he's keeping me up with his tossing and turning. I don't sleep well, but I'd like to try though. We put on a happy front when she's up and around, but when she's napping or asleep at night, we talk about everything. I can't begin to tell you how scared I am about her going under anesthesia again,and having this kind of surgery. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it, yet I can't seem to stop thinking about it.
We were so distraught and shocked I didn't ask the doctor some questions I wish I would have now asked. How long is the surgery, and what is this cast going to look like compared to her first one? Those were the two main questions I need to ask, so I am going to give her Ortho doctor a call tomorrow to get some answers.
There's not much else I can say right now except we are still trying to just absorb the news. It's really a hard thing to chew, and it will take some time to cope with it all. There is one good thing that I can mention. She will have her cast on for 6 weeks after her surgery, and if all goes good, this will be the end of it all. I mean we will have follow-ups and everything, but this will be the end of the surgeries and everything. That's a positive thing, and I try to think about that when I start to get upset over everything.
I will update when I have more information about her surgery. I wish I had better news, but this is it for now.
I have really had a difficult time with it this time. Last time, it was a closed reduction, but this time she will be cut on, and I can't stand the thought of it. I want to puke when I think about it. Her daddy is really having a hard time with it. He's not really slept much since we found out, and he just cleans house till all hours of the night because he can't sleep. I am praying he will sleep better tonight because he's keeping me up with his tossing and turning. I don't sleep well, but I'd like to try though. We put on a happy front when she's up and around, but when she's napping or asleep at night, we talk about everything. I can't begin to tell you how scared I am about her going under anesthesia again,and having this kind of surgery. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it, yet I can't seem to stop thinking about it.
We were so distraught and shocked I didn't ask the doctor some questions I wish I would have now asked. How long is the surgery, and what is this cast going to look like compared to her first one? Those were the two main questions I need to ask, so I am going to give her Ortho doctor a call tomorrow to get some answers.
There's not much else I can say right now except we are still trying to just absorb the news. It's really a hard thing to chew, and it will take some time to cope with it all. There is one good thing that I can mention. She will have her cast on for 6 weeks after her surgery, and if all goes good, this will be the end of it all. I mean we will have follow-ups and everything, but this will be the end of the surgeries and everything. That's a positive thing, and I try to think about that when I start to get upset over everything.
I will update when I have more information about her surgery. I wish I had better news, but this is it for now.
Monday, October 6, 2008
More Updates..
I just wanted to update everybody again. Last week Savannah fell on her left hip, scaring me and her dad very much. At first she could not walk right, but after her dad and I looked at her leg and hip and moved it around a little, she was fine. I called Children's as a precaution, and was told to call her orthopedic doctor the next day. Later this same night, her brace split in half, just missing her leg. It would have cut her leg had it not missed, so I'm so thankful it missed. When it rains, it pours!
I called the ortho the next day, and we had an appt the following day to check things just to be safe. We had her brace repaired, and then she had x-rays done. Thankfully the fall did not do any damage on her hip. Everything still looks the same as it did two months ago, meaning no improvement. Not sure what to think of that, but just trying to remain optimistic. I really don't want to see her go through another surgery, so I am still praying for a miracle.
We go back in December for her next follow-up. I am praying that we get a good report. Until then, I'm keeping my head held high, constantly praying, and just enjoying every minute of everyday with my beautiful little girl.
Thanks to those who read this and are also praying for my daughter. Your well wishes mean the world to me.
I called the ortho the next day, and we had an appt the following day to check things just to be safe. We had her brace repaired, and then she had x-rays done. Thankfully the fall did not do any damage on her hip. Everything still looks the same as it did two months ago, meaning no improvement. Not sure what to think of that, but just trying to remain optimistic. I really don't want to see her go through another surgery, so I am still praying for a miracle.
We go back in December for her next follow-up. I am praying that we get a good report. Until then, I'm keeping my head held high, constantly praying, and just enjoying every minute of everyday with my beautiful little girl.
Thanks to those who read this and are also praying for my daughter. Your well wishes mean the world to me.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Just an Update
Please let me apologize for not updating this blog very often. I am so busy with Savannah these days that time just slips by me. Here is a current update on her hip dysplasia.
The last two visits to the orthopedic doctor included some changes in her hip. The first visit we were told there were some positive changes in her hip. The orthopedic doctor was very suprised, and so were we. It was decided that she could get out of her brace during the day and only wear it at night. He wanted to see if the hip would remain in socket under stress. We were told to come back in August for a follow-up. The August visit was ok. We were told the hip did remain in socket which was a great thing. We were also told that her left hip (the one with the hip dysplasia)was growing slower than her right hip. As long as it continues to grow on it's own and make progress, we will remain in the brace only at night. We go back for another follow-up in December. At that time, the ortho will determine whether or not the hip is still in socket and if it is continuing to grow and make progress. If it's out of socket or if it's not making progress or has stopped growing, she will need another surgery and spica cast.
That's pretty much it for now. I am praying for a miracle. I am praying that it will continue to grow on it's own, and we won't need this surgery. We were told to be gaurdedly optimistic... but not out of the woods yet. So, I am still praying because that's the only way I can deal with this. I try not to think about it or I could make myself crazy. We will know more in December. I will try to update this blog better from here on out.
Thanks to those who are reading and keeping up with our journey, and for all the prayers for Savannah. It means the world to me and to her daddy. :)
The last two visits to the orthopedic doctor included some changes in her hip. The first visit we were told there were some positive changes in her hip. The orthopedic doctor was very suprised, and so were we. It was decided that she could get out of her brace during the day and only wear it at night. He wanted to see if the hip would remain in socket under stress. We were told to come back in August for a follow-up. The August visit was ok. We were told the hip did remain in socket which was a great thing. We were also told that her left hip (the one with the hip dysplasia)was growing slower than her right hip. As long as it continues to grow on it's own and make progress, we will remain in the brace only at night. We go back for another follow-up in December. At that time, the ortho will determine whether or not the hip is still in socket and if it is continuing to grow and make progress. If it's out of socket or if it's not making progress or has stopped growing, she will need another surgery and spica cast.
That's pretty much it for now. I am praying for a miracle. I am praying that it will continue to grow on it's own, and we won't need this surgery. We were told to be gaurdedly optimistic... but not out of the woods yet. So, I am still praying because that's the only way I can deal with this. I try not to think about it or I could make myself crazy. We will know more in December. I will try to update this blog better from here on out.
Thanks to those who are reading and keeping up with our journey, and for all the prayers for Savannah. It means the world to me and to her daddy. :)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Walking
We have walking. She took her first step Sunday,April 27! April 28 she took 2 steps, April 29 she took 1 step, April 30 she took 3 steps, and now she is taking 5-10 at a time.
I am so excited that I don't know if I could put how I feel into words. She is just the most amazing little girl I've ever known, and I am just so in love with her. She was so determind to walk in her brace and now she's doing it. I am so proud of her for never giving up and presevering!
So, for those of you out there going through this same ordeal, encourage your children and never give up hope because you will be amazed at what they can accomplish under these circumstances. Oh and just for the record, they can walk in the brace!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I am so excited that I don't know if I could put how I feel into words. She is just the most amazing little girl I've ever known, and I am just so in love with her. She was so determind to walk in her brace and now she's doing it. I am so proud of her for never giving up and presevering!
So, for those of you out there going through this same ordeal, encourage your children and never give up hope because you will be amazed at what they can accomplish under these circumstances. Oh and just for the record, they can walk in the brace!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Hip Follow-up Appt!
Savannah had her first follow up appointment since she has been in the brace. I was really hoping to find out more at this appointment in regards to whether or not she will need another surgery, but we are still in the dark for now.
On the bright side of things, x-rays showed that her hip was still in place and everything looked great. The dr. said it was still too early to tell whether or not she will require surgery when she's 18 months. However, he did tell us he would probably have a good idea of it at her next follow-up appointment. *sigh*
My nerves went up by a mile when he said that because I am so tired of anticipating finding out one way or the other, and yet it's not long now until we will finally know what is next in store. Her next appointment is June 6!
I am still praying for a miracle because I don't know how I will be able to stand it if she has to have this surgery. I can't even stand to think about it, so I just try to put it out of my mind day after day. It's really a hard thing to do, but I just keep trying to do it!
On the bright side of things, x-rays showed that her hip was still in place and everything looked great. The dr. said it was still too early to tell whether or not she will require surgery when she's 18 months. However, he did tell us he would probably have a good idea of it at her next follow-up appointment. *sigh*
My nerves went up by a mile when he said that because I am so tired of anticipating finding out one way or the other, and yet it's not long now until we will finally know what is next in store. Her next appointment is June 6!
I am still praying for a miracle because I don't know how I will be able to stand it if she has to have this surgery. I can't even stand to think about it, so I just try to put it out of my mind day after day. It's really a hard thing to do, but I just keep trying to do it!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Been Awhile
This post is from my other blog which I have now merged with this one. I decided to merge all my old posts about Savannah's life into this blog and use my other one for a personal blog. There are a lot of old posts I've now added on here from 2007 and one new one from 2008. The following is a copy of my last blog post from my other blog.
It's been awhile since I've posted. I have been using my other blog since Savannah was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at her 9 month check-up. The other blog is called Savannah's Hip Story, and is located at http://savannahs-hip-journey.blogspot.com. I am going to try to start posting on better on both blogs, but that might prove impossible with all we've had to take on lately.
We still have the two hemangioma's, and she currently has another open sore on the one in her diaper region. We've been treating that in hopes it will just heal up and she won't have to go through another laser treatment. She's been through so much already, and it's just not fair. She has been such a great baby, and I just want all of this to be over and for her to be a normal little girl again.
I feel like we are always either making dr. appointments, or at an appointment these days. She has two appointments in March, and two in April. If the sore on her hemangioma doesn't heal on it's own, another appointment will have to be made for that. One of her appointments that's already scheduled is for the pediatric neurologist. She still has twiches and things going on that we are concerned about. I hope it's all behavioral, but with everything else she's endured, I want to be completely certain. I am truely nervous about that appointment.
That is about the gist of my life lately. Savannah has been in a brace for a little over a month now, and we have 5 more to go. There is a 50/50 chance she will need to have another surgery when she's 18 months, and that would put her back in a spica cast for another 6 weeks. I am praying for a miracle because I don't know how I will be able to endure another surgery and cast after seeing her so happy and mobile in the brace. I am praying that she will need no other surgeries, and that this brace is our last step in this hip journey.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Bathtime
We've been sponge bathing Savannah up until today. Her orthopedic specialist told us we could bath her out of the brace if one of us held her legs apart while the other bathed her. We felt this was going to be way to hard, so we've been sponging her until now. Neither of us could no longer stand watching her not be able to take any kind of bath besides the sponging. She loves the bath so much, and she's missed splashing and all that. We decided to give it a try, and I am so glad we did. She loved it.
We have a little white dish type tub we bought from the dollar store awhile back. We use it for her bath toys. Anyway, Matt got the bright idea to turn that over inside the tub and sit her on it with her legs apart. It actually worked like a charm, keeping her legs angled exactly like they were in the brace. We filled the tub up enough so she could reach the water and splash all she wanted without her legs moving from their position. Matt held her while I bathed her, and then continued to hold her and let her play a bit. She was so happy, and it was just wonderful seeing her take somewhat of a normal bath again.
She didn't want to get out when the time came, and she let us know it. She was not thrilled about being put back in her brace either, but I honestly think some of that was the fact she didn't want to get out of the tub yet! I can't blame her since she's been through so much and has missed bathtime too. We are going to do this at least once a week now that we know we can bathe her this way fairly easily.
I try not to think about her future too much, because I will worry myself silly over it. I can't help but think about it sometimes though. I am praying for a miracle when she's 18 months because I don't know what I will do if she has to have surgery and another spica cast then. After seeing her in the brace, standing and cruising, and being a more active happy baby, I can't imagine having to go back to that cast, even if it would only be for 6 weeks. I just can't stand the thought of it. It breaks my heart to even think about it. We were told on our last visit that she had a 50/50 chance. I just hate waiting and not knowing for sure. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I just want it to all be over!
We have a little white dish type tub we bought from the dollar store awhile back. We use it for her bath toys. Anyway, Matt got the bright idea to turn that over inside the tub and sit her on it with her legs apart. It actually worked like a charm, keeping her legs angled exactly like they were in the brace. We filled the tub up enough so she could reach the water and splash all she wanted without her legs moving from their position. Matt held her while I bathed her, and then continued to hold her and let her play a bit. She was so happy, and it was just wonderful seeing her take somewhat of a normal bath again.
She didn't want to get out when the time came, and she let us know it. She was not thrilled about being put back in her brace either, but I honestly think some of that was the fact she didn't want to get out of the tub yet! I can't blame her since she's been through so much and has missed bathtime too. We are going to do this at least once a week now that we know we can bathe her this way fairly easily.
I try not to think about her future too much, because I will worry myself silly over it. I can't help but think about it sometimes though. I am praying for a miracle when she's 18 months because I don't know what I will do if she has to have surgery and another spica cast then. After seeing her in the brace, standing and cruising, and being a more active happy baby, I can't imagine having to go back to that cast, even if it would only be for 6 weeks. I just can't stand the thought of it. It breaks my heart to even think about it. We were told on our last visit that she had a 50/50 chance. I just hate waiting and not knowing for sure. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I just want it to all be over!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
1st Birthday!
Today is Savannah's 1st birthday.
I can't believe my baby is already 1 year old. I can't believe how fast my little girl is growing up. It seems like she should just be coming home from the hospital, not turning 1 already. Time has really flown by. She's getting so big, and she's so smart.
Yesterday, we had her 1st birthday party, and I thought everything went perfectly. The cake was beautiful, the decorations were perfect, and Savannah looked precious. She fell asleep right before her party was to start, so everybody let her nap for a little bit before waking her up.
She enjoyed opening her gifts, and did such a great job. She was a perfect little angel girl. I was so proud of her. She didn't know what to think about her birthday cake at first. She stuck her finger in it and just picked at it. It was too cute. We finally took it and cut a small piece off it to give to her. That's when she went to town stuffing cake in her mouth. She loved that cake, and got really mad if we tried taking it away. She was so funny! :)
It was a great party, and I am just thrilled with how well it all turned out. Today was great too, although we didn't do much. We hung around the house, and just spent the day with Savannah. Later in the day, Matt decided we'd have a superbowl birthday party with just me, him, and Savannah! LOL
I can't believe my baby is already 1 year old. I can't believe how fast my little girl is growing up. It seems like she should just be coming home from the hospital, not turning 1 already. Time has really flown by. She's getting so big, and she's so smart.
Yesterday, we had her 1st birthday party, and I thought everything went perfectly. The cake was beautiful, the decorations were perfect, and Savannah looked precious. She fell asleep right before her party was to start, so everybody let her nap for a little bit before waking her up.
She enjoyed opening her gifts, and did such a great job. She was a perfect little angel girl. I was so proud of her. She didn't know what to think about her birthday cake at first. She stuck her finger in it and just picked at it. It was too cute. We finally took it and cut a small piece off it to give to her. That's when she went to town stuffing cake in her mouth. She loved that cake, and got really mad if we tried taking it away. She was so funny! :)
It was a great party, and I am just thrilled with how well it all turned out. Today was great too, although we didn't do much. We hung around the house, and just spent the day with Savannah. Later in the day, Matt decided we'd have a superbowl birthday party with just me, him, and Savannah! LOL
Friday, February 1, 2008
Cast Off, Brace On
Savannah's now cast free, and she's wearing her new brace. I am so glad it is all over with, so now we can move forward. We are in for a long 6 months, and I wish it was over already because it is going to feel like forever to me. Here is how things went with getting her cast off today:
When we first arrived, they took an x-ray of her hip while she was still in her cast. I started to worry that something would be wrong, and she'd have to stay in her cast longer. I was nervous waiting for the doctor to come into the room to tell us. Imagine my relief and excitement when he told us she looked great and they were ready to remove the cast.
We took her into a bigger open area, and they laid her on this little bed. She didn't like this because she hates laying down these days. She would much rather sit up. Anyway, when they started the saw, she started crying. She was definately scared of the noise it made. Matt and I both stood there reassuring her that it was ok. I held her hand and caressed her face, and told her that she was getting that cast off and it was all going to be ok. She settled down quite a bit at that point, but fussed some on and off during the whole thing.
When they finally snapped the cast in half, I was kinda grossed out at what I saw. The cotton inside it was yellow and I couldn't understand why. I told the doctor how careful we were not to let it get wet, and that we made every effort possible to take care of it. He told me it was from her sweating, and that her cast looked a lot better than most of them he sees. He told me he took one off once and discovered maggets in it. OMG... I nearly threw up. I could have truely lived without knowing that!
The held her legs in place and cleaned her up, and then they immediately put her into the brace. Then we were sent to get another x-ray, so he could check the positioning of her hip. It showed the hip was not placed exactly like he wanted it, so they took off her brace and adjusted it (the brace) a little. While adjusting her brace, Matt got to hold her with nothing on at all. I wanted so badly to do this, and the doctor wouldn't let me. He thought Matt would be better to hold her legs apart and everything. To be honest, I was littled ticked that the doctor would deny a mother to hold her child out of all that crap like that. I could have easily held her just like he did, so I wasn't really happy about that. I guess he knows what is best for her, but it sure would have been nice to have held my baby without any of that gear on for a few minutes. Now I have to wait 6 more months!!! Once the brace was adjusted and back on her, we had to get another x-ray to make sure her hip was in the correct placement. Thankfully it was this time, and we were released to go home after talking to the doctor.
I thought not getting to hold her was going to be the only disappointment from this trip, but I was totally wrong. We also found out that we were still stuck with sponge bathing her for another 6 months. We were told we could take the brace off her and bathe her if one of us held her legs apart in the tub while the other bathed her, however, he recommended it would be better to just continue sponge bathing her. Matt and I both figured it would be easier to sponge her for now. I was extremely disappointed and sad because I was led to believe that we could take the brace off and bath her normally. Oh well, one of these days, this will all be over, and Savannah will be completely normal again. I look forward to that day more than I can possibly ever say.
I am glad we have that cast off now, and believe it or not, she's already figured out how to sit up in it. Time will tell what else she will learn to do.
When we first arrived, they took an x-ray of her hip while she was still in her cast. I started to worry that something would be wrong, and she'd have to stay in her cast longer. I was nervous waiting for the doctor to come into the room to tell us. Imagine my relief and excitement when he told us she looked great and they were ready to remove the cast.
We took her into a bigger open area, and they laid her on this little bed. She didn't like this because she hates laying down these days. She would much rather sit up. Anyway, when they started the saw, she started crying. She was definately scared of the noise it made. Matt and I both stood there reassuring her that it was ok. I held her hand and caressed her face, and told her that she was getting that cast off and it was all going to be ok. She settled down quite a bit at that point, but fussed some on and off during the whole thing.
When they finally snapped the cast in half, I was kinda grossed out at what I saw. The cotton inside it was yellow and I couldn't understand why. I told the doctor how careful we were not to let it get wet, and that we made every effort possible to take care of it. He told me it was from her sweating, and that her cast looked a lot better than most of them he sees. He told me he took one off once and discovered maggets in it. OMG... I nearly threw up. I could have truely lived without knowing that!
The held her legs in place and cleaned her up, and then they immediately put her into the brace. Then we were sent to get another x-ray, so he could check the positioning of her hip. It showed the hip was not placed exactly like he wanted it, so they took off her brace and adjusted it (the brace) a little. While adjusting her brace, Matt got to hold her with nothing on at all. I wanted so badly to do this, and the doctor wouldn't let me. He thought Matt would be better to hold her legs apart and everything. To be honest, I was littled ticked that the doctor would deny a mother to hold her child out of all that crap like that. I could have easily held her just like he did, so I wasn't really happy about that. I guess he knows what is best for her, but it sure would have been nice to have held my baby without any of that gear on for a few minutes. Now I have to wait 6 more months!!! Once the brace was adjusted and back on her, we had to get another x-ray to make sure her hip was in the correct placement. Thankfully it was this time, and we were released to go home after talking to the doctor.
I thought not getting to hold her was going to be the only disappointment from this trip, but I was totally wrong. We also found out that we were still stuck with sponge bathing her for another 6 months. We were told we could take the brace off her and bathe her if one of us held her legs apart in the tub while the other bathed her, however, he recommended it would be better to just continue sponge bathing her. Matt and I both figured it would be easier to sponge her for now. I was extremely disappointed and sad because I was led to believe that we could take the brace off and bath her normally. Oh well, one of these days, this will all be over, and Savannah will be completely normal again. I look forward to that day more than I can possibly ever say.
I am glad we have that cast off now, and believe it or not, she's already figured out how to sit up in it. Time will tell what else she will learn to do.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Big Day Tommorow
It's been too long since I've posted, but I've just been overwhelmed with taking care of Savannah in her cast. I enjoy keeping this log of her journey, and I need to most more often. I promise to try and get better with my posting.
Tomorrow is the big day. Savannah will be getting her cast off finally, and we can continue on to the brace. I wish this whole ordeal was over, but since I still must face the rest of it, I am ready for the brace. I am also ready to regain some normalcy around here. Being able to change a diaper with ONE diaper instead of FIVE will be a welcome change, not to mention the ability to bathe her again. I know that will make her happy because she loves to splash in the water during bathtime. I miss seeing her play in the tub.
There isn't much else to say. I am nervous anticipating what it will be like for Savannah getting her cast off. I am wondering how she will react to the noise of the saw and everything else. I am just ready for it to all be over so we can just move forward.
Tomorrow is the big day. Savannah will be getting her cast off finally, and we can continue on to the brace. I wish this whole ordeal was over, but since I still must face the rest of it, I am ready for the brace. I am also ready to regain some normalcy around here. Being able to change a diaper with ONE diaper instead of FIVE will be a welcome change, not to mention the ability to bathe her again. I know that will make her happy because she loves to splash in the water during bathtime. I miss seeing her play in the tub.
There isn't much else to say. I am nervous anticipating what it will be like for Savannah getting her cast off. I am wondering how she will react to the noise of the saw and everything else. I am just ready for it to all be over so we can just move forward.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Spica Queen
Spica Queen is what I call my daughter since she's been in her spica cast. We are going on a little over 3 weeks since she's been in her cast. We have 16 more days to go before the cast finally comes off. This has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and I'm ready for the next phase of her treatment, which is the brace.
She will be in the brace until she's 18 months, which feels like forever to me. I keep telling myself that at least she will have a lot more movement in the brace than in this cast she's in now. I am looking forward to that at least. She can also take a bath again, which I am also glad about. She loves the bath, and has missed that a lot. She hates sponge baths and cries during those. It's just miserable for her, and for me seeing her so upset.
I am hoping the brace will give us some sense of normalcy back. There's so many things I miss about her besides bathtime. I miss her crawling and cruising everywhere. I miss the way playtime used to be when she was actively crawling, etc. What I miss the most is being able to hold her close and snuggle because now all I feel is that hard cast. She misses snuggling to me and tries to anyway, but she really can't the way she wants too. I also miss her standing up in her crib when she woke up in the mornings and reaching for me. I miss this terribly, and can't wait for the day she can do it again, and I can hold her close too. I guess there's nothing normal about your baby being in a body cast, or at least not much anyway.
I guess normalcy is over-rated in my house these days. Things like a simple diaper change with one diaper is not normal here anymore, although I'm ready for it be normal in this house again. All these different size diapers are overwhelming, not to mention my 11 month old wearing a pad at night. I know it's for extra protection through the night, but it still feels weird. Feeding her has definately changed since we can no longer use her high chair. She can't fit in it with her cast, and I don't think she'll be able to fit with her brace either. I was feeding her in her beanbag until a man that works with my mother made her a special table. Now she gets to sit at her table and eat... not to mention play now. That table has been a life saver in this house.
Everything has changed with her, so any normalcy the brace will bring back will be welcomed. There's not a day that goes by that I don't hate seeing her in that cast. There have been days I've wanted to cut it off her myself. It's been very hard to deal with at times, but I'm making it through one day at a time.
The support that I have received from family and from friends (online and off) has been amazing. I can never express how much I appreciate all the moral support, prayers, the gifts of diapers, shirts, stuffed animals, and the friend that made the special table for her. You all have changed the quality of life for my daughter, and you've made this process much easier for me and for Matt.
She will be in the brace until she's 18 months, which feels like forever to me. I keep telling myself that at least she will have a lot more movement in the brace than in this cast she's in now. I am looking forward to that at least. She can also take a bath again, which I am also glad about. She loves the bath, and has missed that a lot. She hates sponge baths and cries during those. It's just miserable for her, and for me seeing her so upset.
I am hoping the brace will give us some sense of normalcy back. There's so many things I miss about her besides bathtime. I miss her crawling and cruising everywhere. I miss the way playtime used to be when she was actively crawling, etc. What I miss the most is being able to hold her close and snuggle because now all I feel is that hard cast. She misses snuggling to me and tries to anyway, but she really can't the way she wants too. I also miss her standing up in her crib when she woke up in the mornings and reaching for me. I miss this terribly, and can't wait for the day she can do it again, and I can hold her close too. I guess there's nothing normal about your baby being in a body cast, or at least not much anyway.
I guess normalcy is over-rated in my house these days. Things like a simple diaper change with one diaper is not normal here anymore, although I'm ready for it be normal in this house again. All these different size diapers are overwhelming, not to mention my 11 month old wearing a pad at night. I know it's for extra protection through the night, but it still feels weird. Feeding her has definately changed since we can no longer use her high chair. She can't fit in it with her cast, and I don't think she'll be able to fit with her brace either. I was feeding her in her beanbag until a man that works with my mother made her a special table. Now she gets to sit at her table and eat... not to mention play now. That table has been a life saver in this house.
Everything has changed with her, so any normalcy the brace will bring back will be welcomed. There's not a day that goes by that I don't hate seeing her in that cast. There have been days I've wanted to cut it off her myself. It's been very hard to deal with at times, but I'm making it through one day at a time.
The support that I have received from family and from friends (online and off) has been amazing. I can never express how much I appreciate all the moral support, prayers, the gifts of diapers, shirts, stuffed animals, and the friend that made the special table for her. You all have changed the quality of life for my daughter, and you've made this process much easier for me and for Matt.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Life Changing
It's been awhile since I've posted. We've been so overwhelmed with taking care of Savannah, and lately she hasn't been sleeping well at night. Being sleep deprived makes it really hard to function and post as much as I'd like too. Only one major thing has happened since I've posted last, and it has totally changed Savannah's quality of life while in the cast, not to mention mine and Matt's.
A man that works with my mother made a special table for Savannah. He hand-made this table, and designed it so she could play like a normal baby. It's the most wonderful thing seeing her play in her new table. She's so happy, and she's able to play normal again. Words can not express what it is like for a parent of a child who is disabled (whether temporarily or permantly) to see their child given the chance to be a normal child. Seeing her playing in her new table has brought tears to my eyes (Matt's too) more times than you can imagine. This man, whose name I will keep private, has changed my daughter's life more than he is probably aware. He has single handedly given her the ability to play and function like a normal baby while she is stuck in that confining spica cast. We are also able to feed her in it. Her appetite has also increased and is better than normal since we've had the table. There are no amount of words that I could say that could adequately thank this man. I just hope he knows how much we love the table, and how he has changed the life of a little girl and made her very happy.
I am going to update this post later with pictures. I'm just behind.
A man that works with my mother made a special table for Savannah. He hand-made this table, and designed it so she could play like a normal baby. It's the most wonderful thing seeing her play in her new table. She's so happy, and she's able to play normal again. Words can not express what it is like for a parent of a child who is disabled (whether temporarily or permantly) to see their child given the chance to be a normal child. Seeing her playing in her new table has brought tears to my eyes (Matt's too) more times than you can imagine. This man, whose name I will keep private, has changed my daughter's life more than he is probably aware. He has single handedly given her the ability to play and function like a normal baby while she is stuck in that confining spica cast. We are also able to feed her in it. Her appetite has also increased and is better than normal since we've had the table. There are no amount of words that I could say that could adequately thank this man. I just hope he knows how much we love the table, and how he has changed the life of a little girl and made her very happy.
I am going to update this post later with pictures. I'm just behind.
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