Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dr. Ponseti
Dr. Ponseti, the Dr. who developed the method of correcting clubfoot that Lem's Dr. uses, passed away on October 18th. I just found out about it this morning and I wanted to take a moment to send a big thank you out there in the universe to a man who was inspirational (he never truly retired), and who definitely has made a huge difference in our lives and the lives of many, many other parents and children.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!
Yesterday my sweet baby girl, Lemmie, turned 1!
It's so hard to believe how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I was taking her to her first appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon (yeah, I totally get that most people wouldn't be reminiscing about it, but it was a big deal for us!).
I found out at my 20 week ultrasound that it was very likely that Lem would have bilateral clubfoot. When she was born, we learned that this was true, and that the "defect" was very severe. As can be seen in the photographs of her taken shortly after birth (before her first cast), her feet turned in really far.
From the day that they told me that she would have a birth defect I was so concerned that I would think that she was ugly, malformed or that her feet would be totally mangled and disgusting. While I can't say that I didn't notice the defect, I can say that it truly never made me feel that she was less beautiful and perfect.
It's been a hard road for us - through all of the casting, the bracing, the stranger comments, the tenotomy, so many challenges, but we're making it through. We're not at the end of the road yet, and it hasn't been all smooth sailing, but little by little, we're getting there.
So if you're out there, after just receiving a diagnosis that your sweet baby is going to be born with bilateral clubfoot, know that while it has its challenges, your baby will still be a perfect, sweet little bundle of wonderful... and slowly, you'll get to where I am... chasing that baby with the crooked feet through the house at warp speeds.
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!
It's so hard to believe how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I was taking her to her first appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon (yeah, I totally get that most people wouldn't be reminiscing about it, but it was a big deal for us!).
I found out at my 20 week ultrasound that it was very likely that Lem would have bilateral clubfoot. When she was born, we learned that this was true, and that the "defect" was very severe. As can be seen in the photographs of her taken shortly after birth (before her first cast), her feet turned in really far.
From the day that they told me that she would have a birth defect I was so concerned that I would think that she was ugly, malformed or that her feet would be totally mangled and disgusting. While I can't say that I didn't notice the defect, I can say that it truly never made me feel that she was less beautiful and perfect.
It's been a hard road for us - through all of the casting, the bracing, the stranger comments, the tenotomy, so many challenges, but we're making it through. We're not at the end of the road yet, and it hasn't been all smooth sailing, but little by little, we're getting there.
So if you're out there, after just receiving a diagnosis that your sweet baby is going to be born with bilateral clubfoot, know that while it has its challenges, your baby will still be a perfect, sweet little bundle of wonderful... and slowly, you'll get to where I am... chasing that baby with the crooked feet through the house at warp speeds.
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!
Friday, November 21, 2008
(Late) Update
Well we took Lem to see the Dr. the last week of October and she had a great appointment, in spite of my concerns about her feet. The Dr. said that her dorsiflexion is great, and she even extended my time between visits, provided I am checking to make sure that there is a lot of stretch in her feet.
I'm hoping to scan the picture taken of her during her first visit to Santa.... my Mom took her and when we got the picture said "Look at her beautiful feet!" It made my heart sing.
Take care,
El
I'm hoping to scan the picture taken of her during her first visit to Santa.... my Mom took her and when we got the picture said "Look at her beautiful feet!" It made my heart sing.
Take care,
El
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Concerns of a Clubfoot Mama
I'm concerned about Lem's right foot. It's starting to turn in. I don't want to overreact though, so I'll wait until her October appointment before taking her back to the Dr. unless I see it getting worse.
Blah, not really sure why I'm posting except I am frustrated by the fact that we might need to have surgery after all, and this is the place that I designated myself to talk about Lem's clubfoot and voice those concerns that nag at your mind.
Take care,
El
Blah, not really sure why I'm posting except I am frustrated by the fact that we might need to have surgery after all, and this is the place that I designated myself to talk about Lem's clubfoot and voice those concerns that nag at your mind.
Take care,
El
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Adjusting to Life Without Braces
I just wanted to do an update while I was thinking about it.
Something that I had never considered when Lemmie started treatment was that it would be an adjustment for her to be OUT of her braces. When Lem got her braces off she had to adjust to the freedom. The braces meant comfort and security for her, and she had a hard time the first few days napping without them.
I think an important thing to remember when you have a baby with clubfoot is that every single time that treatment changes - even when it seems like a positive change, it is a huge adjustment to the babe. We think about wearing double casts for three months like it is cruel and unusual torture, but with CF babes, it's just the way that they have always lived. Same goes with braces... the first few days they hate them and beyond that they get a sense of security from them. It becomes their normal.
Take care,
El
Something that I had never considered when Lemmie started treatment was that it would be an adjustment for her to be OUT of her braces. When Lem got her braces off she had to adjust to the freedom. The braces meant comfort and security for her, and she had a hard time the first few days napping without them.
I think an important thing to remember when you have a baby with clubfoot is that every single time that treatment changes - even when it seems like a positive change, it is a huge adjustment to the babe. We think about wearing double casts for three months like it is cruel and unusual torture, but with CF babes, it's just the way that they have always lived. Same goes with braces... the first few days they hate them and beyond that they get a sense of security from them. It becomes their normal.
Take care,
El
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Photo Update on Lem's Progress
I WILL FIX THE OVERSIZED PICTURES SOON!
I just wanted to share some pictures on Lem's progress with her clubfoot treatment.
Enjoy!
Lemmie when she was first born.
Lemmie in casts.
Lemmie in her Markell braces.
Lemmie in her Markell shoes again - just to show off her cover for her bar.
Take care,
El
I just wanted to share some pictures on Lem's progress with her clubfoot treatment.
Enjoy!
Lemmie when she was first born.
Lemmie in casts.
Lemmie in her Markell braces.
Lemmie in her Markell shoes again - just to show off her cover for her bar.
Take care,
El
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Two Little Feet
Well, Lemmie wasn't too pleased about me taking these pictures, but I wanted to post pictures of her feet now that she's been in the braces for a while. I feel like they're getting better all the time.
Two little feet:
And here's the little body that the little feet are attached to. :)
Take care,
El
Two little feet:
And here's the little body that the little feet are attached to. :)
Take care,
El
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