Today was Liam's third visit to the the pediatric orthopedist. Our visit today was with long time pediatric orthopedist of both my sister Emily and myself, Dr. Steven Albanese. I have to say, being able to have the man the was so involved and responsible for the excellent and expert care that Emily received is comforting, and being recognized on site and greeted with a handshake is personal relationship I think we're really going to value on this journey. Liam's visit today began with another series of injections to evaluate how his bilateral femur fractures are progressing. Liam and I have gotten pretty good at working on that x-ray table, and soon we were in the patient room with the doctor reviewing the digital films. Liam's fractures are both very well healed, and he is free of his harness going forward. What a relief, I wasn't sure he, I, or his mother could deal with that uncomfortable, awkward thing much longer.
Dr. Albanese spent some time manipulating Liam's ankles, knees and hips. Range of motion was quite limited at all of these joints. We didn't discuss much with regards to his knees at this point. His hips have some range of motion in one direction, but do not seem willing to move much in any of the other directions. The doctor says this may be because they have been positioned in one place for so long, but also said he's not sure that the hips are located properly. If they are dislocated, surgery may be required to correct this. Finally, he determined that we will begin to treat the club feet with serial casting - placing a cast a week or so on each foot to "pull" it into the right position. We will start this in two weeks, the doctor wants to allow some time to pass for him to loosen up out of the harness before adding the weight to his legs. He also noted that due to the severity of the joint deformation, surgery may also be required for both of his ankles.
So, well healed fractures and no more harness are both fantastic. Its nice to feel nothing but baby when you hold this little guy. We are of course pretty disappointed that the hips wouldn't rotate through a normal range of motion - this means he's still pretty limited in the positions he can tolerate, and that he isn't able to use his regular car seat. And hearing possible multiple surgeries is pretty daunting to hear. It's not completely unexpected, but of course we try to hold hope that things are going to resolve without so much invasive intervention.
I'm really learning to take things one day at a time. Any more than that easily overwhelms the mind and threatens to destroy any joy and sanity that we're able to have. Fortunately, I have gotten much better at it. I can honestly say there have been a lot of moments of joy in the Cammer house the last few weeks. One moment I will never forget was standing in the kitchen with Erica at 3:45am after changing Liam's diaper, and him flashing us a big happy smile, the first for both of us. That beautiful moment none of the issues mattered, I wasn't worried about his legs, I wasn't worried about paying the medical bills, I wasn't worried about how to get a wheelchair into the house, I was just loving being with my son and my wife, sharing a big happy hug. Liam has really been getting more personal with us, and more engaged with his enviroment, and Erica and I are both really enjoying the time we get to spend with him. We attended a friends wedding this weekending, and Liam looked so handsome in his dress outfit. You've never seen such a proud mama and papa!
Thank you,thank you, THANK YOU to everybody that has been so incredibly supportive through this time. I know that many of you have been praying ceasely, offering encouragement, helping with things in our lives, and giving so incredibly generously. When I look at all the help we've received I can't help but weep at the hearts of the those we're blessed to be surrounded by in our family, at church, our friends, co-workers, and all the others that have touched our lives. Please continue to remember us in your prayers and throughts as we continue to take each step, each day, each doctors visit, and each milestone in Liam's life. I have NO IDEA what the futures, but I am confident with all of this support we will face each obstacle and overcome them.
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