I don't mind the Spica much. I almost hate to say that, but I don't.
It's cumbersome, it's heavy. Last week I had a day where I was mad at it ...
It still makes me sad to look at my little one and to know she's not meeting her milestones because of her DDH. It sucks. It breaks my heart sometimes.
But I feel so unbelievably blessed to know that our journey is hopefully brief and our daughter will be FULLY HEALED before she will ever know the difference.
Annabelle amazes me. She is truly a gift from God, and I know He gave her to us to be her parents for a reason. I cherish her (just as I do her big sister).
I see God working through us in our situation to bring light to others that come upon this blog. He has a plan.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Spica roll
Yesterday Annabelle was turning herself pretty well both on her tummy and on her back. I had thought that by the end of the 6 weeks she'd be rolling and/or crawling just based on how well she was rotating herself yesterday.
This morning, she rolled! I saw her get some pretty good leverage at one point and thought she might do it, but didn't think it would be this soon! I was elated. This girl doesn't let anything hold her back!
This morning, she rolled! I saw her get some pretty good leverage at one point and thought she might do it, but didn't think it would be this soon! I was elated. This girl doesn't let anything hold her back!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Blessings come from raindrops
I think we're nicely getting used to the spica cast. Annabelle has been sleeping relatively well, she has been eating well, and is a bit less frustrated now about her lack of mobility. I think her pain is doing a lot better too.
Looking back on our journey so far, it's been frustrating, it's been full of worry and tears. We have learned a LOT. They always say parents with kids with conditions become experts, and while I'm definitely not an expert, I feel relatively well educated ... enough to answer questions when people ask them ...
Every day since Annabelle was born I have been so grateful that her hip dysplasia was caught early. As Dr Olney has told us, this is often not detected this early in life. Most of his surgeries are done on older kids, aged 2-3 who are diagnosed after they start walking. I thank God that Annabelle *WILL NOT* remember the Pavlik Harness. She won't remember the Rhino Cruiser, or mommy and daddy twice handing her over to the OR nurse. She won't remember the Spica Cast, she won't remember the pain. She will remember the stories we tell her down the road, and how much love her mommy & daddy had for her through this whole journey.
The few weeks before Annabelle's surgery, she cut six teeth, to bring her total to EIGHT. Those few weeks were frustrating beyond belief. A few days before her surgery I decided that her cutting her teeth then was a blessing. She endured that discomfort prior to surgery and going into her spica cast. Now I don't have to worry that her fussiness/discomfort is from incision pain or from the spica.
While we were waiting outside the recovery room for Annabelle to be transported to her room, there was a family with a little boy that looked to be about two years old. His mommy was explaining to him that he had to walk with the "nice nurse" and she would see him afterwards. I feel so blessed to not have had to explain to my daughter why I was sending her away. To not wonder if she would look at me afterwards wondering why I sent her off to be in pain. The last glimpse I have in my head of her being taken to surgery, is her smiling at the OR nurse while playing with her hat.
I am also extremely thankful that the closed reduction was unsuccessful. We didn't have to endure 3 months in spica, with a cast change at 6 weeks over the hottest summer on record.
All in all, I am so, so, so grateful that the condition our daughter has is FIXABLE, CURABLE, and something that we will be able to put behind us.
Looking back on our journey so far, it's been frustrating, it's been full of worry and tears. We have learned a LOT. They always say parents with kids with conditions become experts, and while I'm definitely not an expert, I feel relatively well educated ... enough to answer questions when people ask them ...
Every day since Annabelle was born I have been so grateful that her hip dysplasia was caught early. As Dr Olney has told us, this is often not detected this early in life. Most of his surgeries are done on older kids, aged 2-3 who are diagnosed after they start walking. I thank God that Annabelle *WILL NOT* remember the Pavlik Harness. She won't remember the Rhino Cruiser, or mommy and daddy twice handing her over to the OR nurse. She won't remember the Spica Cast, she won't remember the pain. She will remember the stories we tell her down the road, and how much love her mommy & daddy had for her through this whole journey.
The few weeks before Annabelle's surgery, she cut six teeth, to bring her total to EIGHT. Those few weeks were frustrating beyond belief. A few days before her surgery I decided that her cutting her teeth then was a blessing. She endured that discomfort prior to surgery and going into her spica cast. Now I don't have to worry that her fussiness/discomfort is from incision pain or from the spica.
While we were waiting outside the recovery room for Annabelle to be transported to her room, there was a family with a little boy that looked to be about two years old. His mommy was explaining to him that he had to walk with the "nice nurse" and she would see him afterwards. I feel so blessed to not have had to explain to my daughter why I was sending her away. To not wonder if she would look at me afterwards wondering why I sent her off to be in pain. The last glimpse I have in my head of her being taken to surgery, is her smiling at the OR nurse while playing with her hat.
I am also extremely thankful that the closed reduction was unsuccessful. We didn't have to endure 3 months in spica, with a cast change at 6 weeks over the hottest summer on record.
All in all, I am so, so, so grateful that the condition our daughter has is FIXABLE, CURABLE, and something that we will be able to put behind us.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
we are home!
I'm glad to be home with my baby but a bit nervous to learn how to take care of her at home ... at the hospital everything is a bit more adapted to her ... at home, we have to figure out what works!
Annabelle is doing well now, she is still in some pain but we're trying to keep on top of it ... she's nursing well, and she ate babyfood this morning as eagerly as she always does. She's back to smiling frequently, but is definitely more subdued. She wants her mama all the time ...
Annabelle is doing well now, she is still in some pain but we're trying to keep on top of it ... she's nursing well, and she ate babyfood this morning as eagerly as she always does. She's back to smiling frequently, but is definitely more subdued. She wants her mama all the time ...
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| Good morning, beautiful |
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| Morning smiles |
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| attempted tummy time |
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| Meet the Spica |
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| playing with daddy |
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| going home! Yes, I did match her dress to her cast, I had bought this dress before her attempted closed reduction as her "Going Home outfit" |
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| Photo with daddy! |
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| Riding home! Her new rented Britax Hippo carseat ... She looks uncomfortable, but she actually slept the whole way home |
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Open Reduction and Capsulorrhaphy
I'm so glad today is finished.
Annabelle had her surgery, an open reduction with capsulorrhaphy, which took about 2 hours. We were able to see her about 4.5 hours after the nurse took her back to the OR. She was heavily sedated on pain medicine and was occasionally moaning. It took Annabelle a long time to wake up, and even longer to smile, which is rather unusual for my normally very smiley girl. We skyped with daddy & big sister this evening and big sister got Annabelle to smile. It was nice for her to see her baby sister at the hospital and to have a little view of the cast that we've talked about.
Here's a little photo recap of our day:
Annabelle had her surgery, an open reduction with capsulorrhaphy, which took about 2 hours. We were able to see her about 4.5 hours after the nurse took her back to the OR. She was heavily sedated on pain medicine and was occasionally moaning. It took Annabelle a long time to wake up, and even longer to smile, which is rather unusual for my normally very smiley girl. We skyped with daddy & big sister this evening and big sister got Annabelle to smile. It was nice for her to see her baby sister at the hospital and to have a little view of the cast that we've talked about.
Here's a little photo recap of our day:
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| last bath for six weeks!!! |
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| totally oblivious to the day ahead |
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| waiting for Dr Olney to arrive |
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| arrival in her room |
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| Daddy watching over her |
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| starting to wake up |
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| first time holding her |
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| starting to play |
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| Love my girl. |
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| First smile of the day, Skype with Daddy & big sister |
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| Sweet dreams, sweet girl. |
Waiting ...
Annabelle is in surgery. We got a call a little over an hour ago from the OR nurse saying that they had just started. Dr Olney anticipated anywhere from 2-3 hours from start to finish, as they'll be applying the cast and I'm assuming it will have to dry.
The wait is hard, and I'm trying to keep myself busy ...
The wait is hard, and I'm trying to keep myself busy ...
NPO
NPO.
Nil per os.
Nothing by mouth.
Fortunately for the tiniest of patients this is only for a few hours rather than 'after midnight'.
Annabelle was able to have food/formula (which she has never had) until 1:30, she was able to nurse until 2am. She could have clear liquids (a.k.a. Pedialyte) until 4am. So... NPO after 4am for a 7:30 surgery doesn't seem so terrible.
I had set my alarm for 1:30 to wake and nurse her, but she woke on her own around 1. About 2:15 she woke up screaming. After about 20 minutes of inconsolable baby we determined she was gassy and gave her some gas drops. A few huge burps later, she fell asleep on my shoulder at about 3am. I snuggled with her in bed for about 10 minutes and was finally able to get her to take some Pedialyte, although she only took 2.5 ounces. I was hoping she'd take more so that she'd be a little happier this morning before her surgery, but she passed out hard after that :)
I'm listening to her tiny snoring right now and praying hard.
Here we go ...
Nil per os.
Nothing by mouth.
Fortunately for the tiniest of patients this is only for a few hours rather than 'after midnight'.
Annabelle was able to have food/formula (which she has never had) until 1:30, she was able to nurse until 2am. She could have clear liquids (a.k.a. Pedialyte) until 4am. So... NPO after 4am for a 7:30 surgery doesn't seem so terrible.
I had set my alarm for 1:30 to wake and nurse her, but she woke on her own around 1. About 2:15 she woke up screaming. After about 20 minutes of inconsolable baby we determined she was gassy and gave her some gas drops. A few huge burps later, she fell asleep on my shoulder at about 3am. I snuggled with her in bed for about 10 minutes and was finally able to get her to take some Pedialyte, although she only took 2.5 ounces. I was hoping she'd take more so that she'd be a little happier this morning before her surgery, but she passed out hard after that :)
I'm listening to her tiny snoring right now and praying hard.
Here we go ...
Monday, October 8, 2012
insomnia
I had a hard time sleeping last night.
Tonight, I almost don't want to go to sleep. I know when I wake up, it will be 'that day'. October 9th. This day has been looming for four months. One step closer to our goal: healthy hips.
Tonight, I almost don't want to go to sleep. I know when I wake up, it will be 'that day'. October 9th. This day has been looming for four months. One step closer to our goal: healthy hips.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
It's feeling real.
I've largely been in denial. I have moments where I freak out about Annabelle's upcoming surgery, and then they're over. It was too far away to really freak out about.
Then September hit.
Then October hit.
But we still had my cousin Jill's wedding to get through, as her surgery isn't until after the wedding.
The wedding is now over. I'm packing my bag for the hospital and I'm starting to freak out. I'm packing teeny tiny t-shirts that I've collected over the last 5 months that she will (hopefully) be able to wear over her cast.
I'm playing with her tiny legs, savoring her chubby little thighs knowing they'll be out of commission for 6 weeks.
Praying she's not going to be in much pain. Praying all goes well and this is the last surgery she has to endure. Praying for peace for myself. Praying for the doctors and nurses who will care for my little girl.
Praying ......
Then September hit.
Then October hit.
But we still had my cousin Jill's wedding to get through, as her surgery isn't until after the wedding.
The wedding is now over. I'm packing my bag for the hospital and I'm starting to freak out. I'm packing teeny tiny t-shirts that I've collected over the last 5 months that she will (hopefully) be able to wear over her cast.
I'm playing with her tiny legs, savoring her chubby little thighs knowing they'll be out of commission for 6 weeks.
Praying she's not going to be in much pain. Praying all goes well and this is the last surgery she has to endure. Praying for peace for myself. Praying for the doctors and nurses who will care for my little girl.
Praying ......
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
cleared
We saw Dr Lively again today, this time for a well baby checkup. Annabelle has been fever free since early yesterday afternoon, so he saw no need for her to not be able to have surgery next week. Her labwork all came back normal, so .... here we go!
Monday, October 1, 2012
102.2
102.2
Not a radio station.
Yesterday morning when Annabelle woke she felt hot. I took her temp and it was 101.8. A dose of Motrin, it came down to 99.8 and she was her happy little self until around 5pm when her fever spiked again. We gave her another dose of Motrin and the fever was back up to 101.8 at 8pm. A dose of Tylenol and she was good until the morning. She felt super hot when she woke this morning, and her temp was 102.2
I was worried all night last night because I didn't want anything to have to delay her surgery. I called the pediatrician as soon as the office opened and she saw Dr Lively at 11:30. It was oddly comforting, because his daughter also had hip dysplasia, although I'm not sure if she had to have surgery or not.
He couldn't find a cause for Annabelle's high fever, which was a bit frustrating - I was thinking maybe she had an ear infection or something. He said it could be viral, could be a UTI. But nothing obvious. So, we had to collect a urine sample and he sent her off for some lab work. We're back home now and she's acting a bit more like herself.
More comforting, he reassured me that if for some reason her surgery is delayed due to this (unknown) illness, it's for her health and safety, because the anesthesiologist will want her as healthy as possible prior to intubation - which makes perfect sense. I don't want to send a sick baby into surgery. I'm just so anxious already knowing her surgery is one week away, the prospect of having it delayed and having to wait longer is frustrating.
I'll do what's best for my baby girl though, that's my job.
Not a radio station.
Yesterday morning when Annabelle woke she felt hot. I took her temp and it was 101.8. A dose of Motrin, it came down to 99.8 and she was her happy little self until around 5pm when her fever spiked again. We gave her another dose of Motrin and the fever was back up to 101.8 at 8pm. A dose of Tylenol and she was good until the morning. She felt super hot when she woke this morning, and her temp was 102.2
I was worried all night last night because I didn't want anything to have to delay her surgery. I called the pediatrician as soon as the office opened and she saw Dr Lively at 11:30. It was oddly comforting, because his daughter also had hip dysplasia, although I'm not sure if she had to have surgery or not.
He couldn't find a cause for Annabelle's high fever, which was a bit frustrating - I was thinking maybe she had an ear infection or something. He said it could be viral, could be a UTI. But nothing obvious. So, we had to collect a urine sample and he sent her off for some lab work. We're back home now and she's acting a bit more like herself.
More comforting, he reassured me that if for some reason her surgery is delayed due to this (unknown) illness, it's for her health and safety, because the anesthesiologist will want her as healthy as possible prior to intubation - which makes perfect sense. I don't want to send a sick baby into surgery. I'm just so anxious already knowing her surgery is one week away, the prospect of having it delayed and having to wait longer is frustrating.
I'll do what's best for my baby girl though, that's my job.
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