Most people are familiar with scoliosis - when a spine bends side-to-side instead of growing straight up and down. Fewer people are familiar with kyphosis which is like scoliosis only the spine bends front to back. Annie was born with a kyphosis. In her case, her spine bends outward from her back so there is a bony bump just below the center of her back.
(I was going to post an Xray but my scanner won't work)
The doctors told us when she was born that this would most likely get worse and eventually require surgery but the key is to put off the surgery as long as possible. There isn't much that can be done aside from making sure Annie sits up straight in her wheelchair but, of course, she does not spend all day in her wheelchair - she is often on the floor army-crawling, tumbling and playing as three-year-olds do.
Well this past Monday we went in for our 2-year kyphosis check up and the curve has gotten worse. The doc wants to see us back in 6 months and he estimates that corrective surgery will happen around age 5.
It's a real drag to know that there is something wrong with your child's health and that it's worsening and there is nothing you can do about it (even if you knew this was coming).
To top it off, Holly noticed on Wednesday that Annie's left thigh felt swollen and warm. There was no discoloration so it was something of a mystery. Naturally, Annie wasn't having any discomfort as she can't feel her legs. When the swelling and heat did not dissipate, we took Annie in to her pediatrician. Xrays showed that Annie has a crack in her left femur.
(again, my scanner is not working)
There are no signs of trauma (bruising etc.) so most likely Annie just turned the wrong way and it cracked. The doc explained that a cracked femur is often called a "Toddler's Fracture" because it occurs so often in toddlers. The doc comforted us by explaining that his own able-bodied daughter had a toddler fracture just from jumping up and down and with Annie's leg bones being less dense than most, it's not surprising that this happened. So Annie is now sporting a hip-to-toe fiberglass cast for the next three weeks.
I know that no parent has complete 100% control over the health of their child but these two blows back-to-back this week have had the wife and I pacing the house at all hours out of sheer adrenaline fueled by worry, frustration and a little despair.
So that is the latest.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
8 comments:
I'm sorry, that's a huge bummer.
I love you.
Emily had a "bend fracture" in her right femur about the same age. She had hip surgery and had been in a cast for 6-8 weeks. It was at Thanksgiving that she got her cast off. We were getting ready to go for a road trip and had put her in her car seat. I don't know what happened, if we bent her knee by accident or hit is while we were putting stuff in the car. She could feel it and by the next day when it was red and swollen and hot she was in a SO much pain. Luckily we had pain medicine to give to her. Talk about feeling bad, Uggg, totally beat myself up for that one!
Michelle & girls
Matt and Holly - I am so sorry to hear of the rough week! It brings me back to a time, a short 3 plus years ago, when you were told that Annabelle may not live after she was born. You mobilized the troops for your daughter without even seeing her yet. Go Annabelle! God was faithful then and I know he will continue to be faithful and bless your sweet daughter. Although I haven't faced the mountains you have as parents, I do understand and have felt the feelings of despair and helplessness to make it all better for your kids. We love your incredible family and will be praying for her healing. And I do have a strong opinion about that. :-)
Oh, Matt.
This made me cry. I mean, just really cry. This just sucks so hard, and it isn't fair. No one deserves to suffer like this, but especially not children. I am so sorry that you three are going through this.
I cannot even begin to try to put myself in the place of your or Holly. I simply cannot fathom what you are going through. It has to be a tremendous drain -- mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and even physically with the loss of sleep. Stress has such a huge impact on overall well-being, and I imagine that you are under unblievable amounts of stress.
I'm so sorry.
What we can do? What can those of us that are far away do to make things better or easier? I feel really sad and helpless, but I know you guys have a great support system there.
In through your nose...out through your mouth...in through your nose...out through your mouth...in through your nose...out through your mouth...
Thanks everyone for the kind comments. There isn't much that can be done and that is one of the bummer things about it. Holly and I had one night when we were both up most of the night but I think we have settled down now.
Uggh. Huge, heavy uggh. Saying a prayer for your family.
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