A bad right wrist and surgery.
As for an update on Laelie, her casts were redone yesterday. I dragged myself to the clinic since I had my own doctor’s appointment anyway and was already up. Bad idea. I’m an idiot. Made everything worse. But I did get to be there to comfort baby.. before almost passing out. Long story. Anyway…
More bad news: her right wrist/hand looks bad. Actually I haven’t seen any progress for the last few castings. It doesn’t even go out straight let alone bend upwards. The fingers are bent to the left and there are deep creases as well as dead skin and all that just to add to the effect. We made the tough choice to stop casting it. The casts are the most extreme way of dealing with those stubborn wrists, but medical science has its limits. It just really doesn’t look good and I hate this. I kinda wanted to do enough casting so she didn’t look like an arthrogryposis kid from a distance or when you walked by her on the street. She has an appointment next week to get her splint for it. The splint’s job is to keep things where they’re at (not letting them go back), and to stretch out those tendons in the fingers that get neglected when fixing a wrist.
Now don’t get me wrong, the wrist looks much improved. Just far from normal. Actually we don’t say “normal” anymore, the new term is “typical.” I guess by saying “not normal” I’ve been stigmatizing my daughter into later years of therapy. Oops.
Also we have our first surgery coming this Monday. Both little feet/ankles. They’re not even putting her to sleep, but just giving her a local since she’s a baby. They told me two scary things: 1. Yes, she will cry and be in pain. 2. No, parents aren’t allowed in the surgery room with her.
The casts don’t let up though. They will do the surgery and then cast the legs up. They warned me that the next time they remove the casts (three weeks later) there will be blood in them and not to worry.
They waste their breath. All I do is worry.
December 12th, 2007 at 4:03 am
Alexis, There are no words I’m sure that I can say that will help ease your fears or worries. The biggest thing is own them. Don’t ignore them, but also don’t lose yourself in them. It’s a difficult balance, but I know your faith will get you through. Give yourself time after surgery away from Laelia to grieve even if for a few minutes. Just give your soul that, just don’t give up.
Your in my prayers,
Kristin
December 12th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
And if you didn’t worry you wouldn’t be the great mom you are! And I know why they don’t allow parents, because mommies stop being rational when someone is hurting their babies. You’d kill the doctor and not even know it!