Dare we say it?!
THE CAST IS OFF!!
We received all of the good news we could hope for today and it nearly left Mommy and Daddy in a state of shock. Is it really true? Eleven months after the devastation of her diagnosis, did we truly receive tangible good news?
Yes!
Yes!!
YES!!!
Hip Chick's surgeon confirmed today that her hip is in tact! Per her imaging results, he decided that the pins needed to come out and so they did open her hip for pin removal today. She will return in approximately one month for additional imaging, to ensure that her femur remains in socket. Her femoral plate removal will be scheduled at that appointment.
Why the imaging? The risk is not that the hip could redislocate in the same manner as in July (that hip socket no longer exists as it did), but that the femur could begin to pull away from the socket. The odds seem to be tipped in Hip Chick's favor for success- and so we will think positively for her.
What about orthopedic aids? She was discharged with no brace, no heel lifts, no special shoes. Just our sweet baby girl as we knew her a year ago- although a bit bigger now.
In my posts this week, I featured the last photo snapped of her prior to beginning treatment for DDH. At top is posted what we hope to be her last photo in a spica. Although- her surgeon reminded us today that our DDH journey with her will last another 15, if not 18, years. Regardless, that last photo of her in the spica is of her faced away from the camera in hopes that she never has to look back at this phase.
As for Hip Chick? One of the first things she said to us after surgery was, "I have legs!"
Her surgeon strongly advised us to set her down gingerly upon returning home and to allow her to move at her own pace, that we should let her set her own boundaries. Well, we did just that and, to push the boundaries of our own nerves, she rolled onto her stomach and pushed herself off of the couch, onto her feet, to have us catch her mid-collapse. She has informed us quite frankly that she needs to stand and walk. We have spent the afternoon with her repeatedly testing the limits of her jelly legs. Move slowly, at her own pace? With her determination, she may attept to fly before the month is out!
Or play the violin. Whatever it is she does, we would not have it any other way.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! I have been checking your site all day hoping for good news with the surgery. I have tears of joy for you and your family and wish you all a season of happiness, joy, and many blessings. You are an inspiration as our family continues its DDH journey. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, insights, hopes, triumphs, struggles, fortitude, energy, and love for your daughter. Yeah! Soooo happy for all of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, again, fot your support and sweet words! We hope that she is on a positive path now, but her surgeon did remind us that the hip can redislocate at any time. Just part of the DDH journey. I will continue to blog her progress over time.
ReplyDeleteDon't hesitate to reach out if you ever need to chat- especially since our daughters are at the same hospital!