So not so much of a birthday present for Dylann cause she HATES getting her casts changed.. but it was for momma and daddy. Jeremy took the day off to spend with Dylann for her birthday originally since I had to work and we have been doing this each year with Micah so wanted to keep up tradition. Well, it so fell that she needed a cast change today so he took her to that this morning.
Today was the 3rd change, so she has been in casts for 2 weeks. A typical ponseti series for treating clubfeet takes around 6-8 weeks with a heel cord release towards the end. When kids have clubfeet their achilles gets very tight and shortened for being in that position for so long. SO when the feet are in a good position, they lengthen the achilles and prop them up to be flat to the ground. The weeks alternate between just getting casts with the cast tech, who is lovely by the way at Shriners, to meeting with the MD and the caster on the alternate weeks to make sure "the MD still approves the plan."
So, there is always a fair bit of anxiety going into the meeting with the MD in case they tell us they wont do this any longer. That is what happended at Gillette's when Dylann was 2 months old and at this exact same check up.. he said no more, it wont work anyways so we arent going to waste money and time.
To prep Jeremy for this, I asked, what if the MD says no more what are you going to say. Jeremy said "Um yeah my wife isnt going to like that so lets do the 6-8 weeks before we make that decision." LOL - good hubby.
Well the great news is that he in no way had to even broach that conversation because both the MD and the caster said she is making great progress! Her right foot is ALREADY at the point where they can do the heel cord release and prop it up flat to the ground and that the left foot needs just a little more time. They both said she will get there with a few more casts then the 6-8 weeks and that they are confident at this point that the casting will work!!!! Maybe miss Dylann will even be able to stand by Christmas!! :)
There is still alot of other things we will need to do as her thigh and calf muscles are very weak so it will take time to strengthen those once she can stand on her feet. The MD also wants her to see a plastic surgeon to see if there are things they can do to help with her amniotic banding mark on her right leg that has cut into her muscle a fair bit. That appointment is set for 12/4. She also still has one hip out that will need surgery next summer.. we will most likely still use the Philly MD for this since he has done several of these on AMC kids. Although despite lots of caution from other local moms with kids with AMC to see this MPLS Shriners MD, he is kinda growing on me and I am starting to trust him!
My advice to any parents who feel in their gut that what is being recommended is not exactly right should get a second opinion. I just knew that Dylann did not need to have her ankle bones removed to get the ability to stand flat footed and I was determined to find a MD that would listen to me and at least try a full ponsetti intervention. And, to be honest, if things make a different turn in an upcoming appointment, we are still going to Philly then to have that MD cast. His success rate is literally 100% and has not had to do a surgery in several years on an AMC patient's ankles. I wouldnt mind not having to move to Philly temporaroly next year though given how frequently they need to cast!
making progress!! :) happy birthday miss Dylann!!
