I haven't been posting. Many reasons. Some easy, some not.
But I need to post about the elephant.
Funny, everyone I know keeps telling me how great his foot looks.
I've told Steve my thoughts. I am sure he thinks I am nuts. That's ok. Isn't the first time. Won't be the last.
I see bad things in Matthew's foot.
He is getting a huge callous on the inside of his left heel. Very odd place to get a callous.
I mentioned this weeks ago to Steve. Being the wonderful ever half full kind of guy he is, said 'maybe he is walking and placing pressure on the inside of his foot.'
Not so odd a statement. E-stim has been doing some amazing things as seen by some previous posts. And, honestly, his mobility in that foot has been really good. Why would I question things?
There are some things that can't lie. The shoe is one. A few months ago, I had to buy all new shoes. They are now worn on the outside. And looking inside, they are torn up on the outside.
What does that mean? In my mind, all bad things.
Today I told Steve (out of ear shot of Matthew) that I was concerned that because of his osteotomy, that bone was being laid down, and causing issues. He said he would take a look and let me know.
His thoughts after were good. (Did I mention that I love Steve?) He doesn't feel any rough boney spots. No tenderness. Felt that his foot felt good mobility wise. Thought that his outward movement was the best ever.
Yay!
But here comes that elephant. If everything is wonderful, why the callous, why the walking on the outside of his foot? I mean, it is not an occasional thing. He is ALWAYS on the outside of that foot. I know, I am the MOM. I will see things there, not there, and almost there. I am concerned. And I am seeing things that shouldn't be.
Matthew's next appointment with Dr Dobbs is June 27. He is due for x-rays to check for leg length discrepancy. I will be asking for an x-ray of his heel.
Looking for that elephant.
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Are You Ready For Some Football?
Over a year ago, Matthew came to me and said
"Mommy, I want to play football."
Maybe to many families of boys that doesn't come as a complete surprise. They see their dads watching football, maybe the superbowl, they play football with their buddies, or toss the ball around with their dads from the time they could walk.
Not here. We don't watch sports on tv apart from a bit of CFL (Go Riders!) when we are around. Daddy here never played football, or baseball, just a bit of hockey. And for me, well, I can barely throw a football without embarrassing myself.
So you can imagine our surprise when Matthew decided football was going to be his sport of choice. I looked into it and found a great organization for football, but it started at age 8. I told him he had to wait a year, and in the meantime, did he even know what football was?
So, out in the yard he went last spring, picked up a football we had and tossed it. I have to say, I was shocked. It was a perfect spiral, and he could chuck that thing far. Since then, he has tossed a football around while camping, at grandma and grandpa's house, and with our friends. "that's quite an arm he has" is something we have heard quite a few times.
So, now that he is 8, I signed him up. Season starts in August.
Now I'm not the kind of mom who thinks her kids are superstars but I am very excited for football season. Maybe it is because I've seen where he has come from. I've seen him struggle with pain, with AFO's, with tripping, endless physio, surgeries, e-stim, with a foot that won't do what it is supposed to do. Just yesterday, we were at the outdoor rink in our neighborhood. He sat down on the ice, mad. I asked what was wrong and he said "Mommy! It isn't easy to skate for a kid with a clubfoot!" I told him that no, it isn't as easy for him as it is for others but that just meant that if he wants it he has to try even harder to do it. He sat for a minute, stewing, then got up and skated, played tag and even tried a hockey stick without another word.
Thanks to many people, this kid is going to play football. Something I never thought he would do. And I get to watch it all, with a smile on my face, and maybe a few quiet tears of joy.
So, are you ready for some football?
"Mommy, I want to play football."
Maybe to many families of boys that doesn't come as a complete surprise. They see their dads watching football, maybe the superbowl, they play football with their buddies, or toss the ball around with their dads from the time they could walk.
Not here. We don't watch sports on tv apart from a bit of CFL (Go Riders!) when we are around. Daddy here never played football, or baseball, just a bit of hockey. And for me, well, I can barely throw a football without embarrassing myself.
So you can imagine our surprise when Matthew decided football was going to be his sport of choice. I looked into it and found a great organization for football, but it started at age 8. I told him he had to wait a year, and in the meantime, did he even know what football was?
So, out in the yard he went last spring, picked up a football we had and tossed it. I have to say, I was shocked. It was a perfect spiral, and he could chuck that thing far. Since then, he has tossed a football around while camping, at grandma and grandpa's house, and with our friends. "that's quite an arm he has" is something we have heard quite a few times.
So, now that he is 8, I signed him up. Season starts in August.
Now I'm not the kind of mom who thinks her kids are superstars but I am very excited for football season. Maybe it is because I've seen where he has come from. I've seen him struggle with pain, with AFO's, with tripping, endless physio, surgeries, e-stim, with a foot that won't do what it is supposed to do. Just yesterday, we were at the outdoor rink in our neighborhood. He sat down on the ice, mad. I asked what was wrong and he said "Mommy! It isn't easy to skate for a kid with a clubfoot!" I told him that no, it isn't as easy for him as it is for others but that just meant that if he wants it he has to try even harder to do it. He sat for a minute, stewing, then got up and skated, played tag and even tried a hockey stick without another word.
Thanks to many people, this kid is going to play football. Something I never thought he would do. And I get to watch it all, with a smile on my face, and maybe a few quiet tears of joy.
So, are you ready for some football?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Cast Troubles
Matthew's cast was put on to pull the front of his foot to the right. His foot was drifting to the left again. Now, his toes are still pulling to the left, into the cast, causing pain. I was called to the school at lunchtime to see what I could do. I tried trimming, but not sure if I was successful.
Cast removal is next Wednesday.
The kids are counting down for Christmas. I am counting down to cast removal.
Cast removal is next Wednesday.
The kids are counting down for Christmas. I am counting down to cast removal.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Someday
Someday.
I keep saying that to myself these days.
Someday Matthew will be done with casting.
Someday Matthew will be pain free.
Someday Matthew will be done with physio.
Someday Matthew will be able to buy regular shoes.
Someday Matthew will be able to play all sports without struggling with footwear.
Someday. But not right now.
Last night, I was stretching Matthew's foot. He sucked in his breath and said "Good one Mommy!"
I asked him what made a stretch a good one.
His reply, "You made it hurt like Steve does."
Someday Matthew won't cringe when I ask for his little foot to stretch.
Someday I won't have to hurt him for his own good.
Someday. But not right now.
I keep saying that to myself these days.
Someday Matthew will be done with casting.
Someday Matthew will be pain free.
Someday Matthew will be done with physio.
Someday Matthew will be able to buy regular shoes.
Someday Matthew will be able to play all sports without struggling with footwear.
Someday. But not right now.
Last night, I was stretching Matthew's foot. He sucked in his breath and said "Good one Mommy!"
I asked him what made a stretch a good one.
His reply, "You made it hurt like Steve does."
Someday Matthew won't cringe when I ask for his little foot to stretch.
Someday I won't have to hurt him for his own good.
Someday. But not right now.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Better Late Then Never
Five years ago I had a lot of questions. I wondered what Matthew's life would be like. I wondered how his little foot would impede him, where it would take him, if it would even change his life. We had so many questions, so few answers.
Now, I have met a mom online who has a little boy who is almost two who has a neuromuscular clubfoot like Matthew. She has many questions as to what her son will be able to do and so few answers.
With so few kids with the unique problem of clubfoot and nerve damage, it is hard to know what will be, but today, I can give her one answer. See, she and her family love to snowboard and have been wondering if her son will be able to enjoy the sport as they do. We also wondered about skiing with Matthew.
Here is what happened yesterday at Canada Olympic Park. Finally, for the first ski season, Matthew was not in a cast, not awaiting surgery, and the bones in his foot were perfectly aligned so he could use it pain free. So, I signed them up for their first ski lesson.
Matthew caught on quick, Ryan took a bit longer but they are both hooked and want to go back.
And the absolute best part...
Despite the rental boots being rear entry, I was able (with some finesse and some force) get his AFO into the boot AND it felt comfortable!
After their lesson and their begging for one more run (even though the temperature was -18 C/-0.4 F) we celebrated with a hotdog and fries. I asked what they thought of skiing. This says it all.
Where will this little foot take him? As of yesterday, to the ski hill. And tomorrow is full of possibilities.
Now, I have met a mom online who has a little boy who is almost two who has a neuromuscular clubfoot like Matthew. She has many questions as to what her son will be able to do and so few answers.
With so few kids with the unique problem of clubfoot and nerve damage, it is hard to know what will be, but today, I can give her one answer. See, she and her family love to snowboard and have been wondering if her son will be able to enjoy the sport as they do. We also wondered about skiing with Matthew.
Here is what happened yesterday at Canada Olympic Park. Finally, for the first ski season, Matthew was not in a cast, not awaiting surgery, and the bones in his foot were perfectly aligned so he could use it pain free. So, I signed them up for their first ski lesson.
Matthew caught on quick, Ryan took a bit longer but they are both hooked and want to go back.
And the absolute best part...
Despite the rental boots being rear entry, I was able (with some finesse and some force) get his AFO into the boot AND it felt comfortable!
After their lesson and their begging for one more run (even though the temperature was -18 C/-0.4 F) we celebrated with a hotdog and fries. I asked what they thought of skiing. This says it all.
Where will this little foot take him? As of yesterday, to the ski hill. And tomorrow is full of possibilities.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That
Wow... I have been busy. I am now volunteering twice a week at the boy's school and finding little time for anything anymore.I am really enjoying being in the school. Feels good. Feels right. Maybe because I used to teach before kids. Maybe because it is interaction. Maybe because it gets me out of the house. Not sure if the reason really matters, just happy to do it. In fact, I have to head off again in 45 min to help out with Matthew's in-line skating class.
And yes, we were able to get the skate on over his brace! Yay!
I asked Matthew's p/t about his back pain. Yes. It is from the lift. And he should know. He also wears a half inch lift. On his left shoe. Eventually, it will get better.
I've also been busy trying to make Matthew's lunches more exciting and have discovered the world of Bento Boxes. Never heard of them? Neither had I but now it is my obsession. This is what I aspire to
Ok, maybe just this
So I am starting off slow. Today, this is what Matthew got for a Halloween lunch.
Owl and bat jam sandwiches, pumpkin muffins and fruit.
I know, I know. Nothing like what I aspire too, but I have many, many years to get to where I am going. So be patient, I hope to share some better stuff soon.
And yes, we were able to get the skate on over his brace! Yay!
I asked Matthew's p/t about his back pain. Yes. It is from the lift. And he should know. He also wears a half inch lift. On his left shoe. Eventually, it will get better.
I've also been busy trying to make Matthew's lunches more exciting and have discovered the world of Bento Boxes. Never heard of them? Neither had I but now it is my obsession. This is what I aspire to
Ok, maybe just this
So I am starting off slow. Today, this is what Matthew got for a Halloween lunch.
Owl and bat jam sandwiches, pumpkin muffins and fruit.
I know, I know. Nothing like what I aspire too, but I have many, many years to get to where I am going. So be patient, I hope to share some better stuff soon.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Back Pain For A Six Year Old
Matthew started complaining Thursday morning of back pain. I thought maybe he slept funny. Offered him some tylenol before school which he took. Very unusual for him. This is a kid who can be wracked with allergies and refuse medication.
Thursday evening. Same thing.
Friday morning, again.
Friday late afternoon. Bad. He was so upset at the end of school. Won't get into it, but he had to be dragged off the playground for bad behavior and ended up losing movie night. He was in bed by 6 pm. Slept 13 hours straight.
Saturday morning. Back pain still.
Sunday, finally. No pain.
It took until Saturday afternoon for me to to clue in. He had been wearing the shoe with the lift at school for a week when the pain started.
Ahhhhhhh.
I am betting that he has been moving for almost 6 yrs with his hips out of place. Now, for the first time, they are in place.
And it hurts.
Poor kid.
Hopefully it will stop hurting soon.
Thursday evening. Same thing.
Friday morning, again.
Friday late afternoon. Bad. He was so upset at the end of school. Won't get into it, but he had to be dragged off the playground for bad behavior and ended up losing movie night. He was in bed by 6 pm. Slept 13 hours straight.
Saturday morning. Back pain still.
Sunday, finally. No pain.
It took until Saturday afternoon for me to to clue in. He had been wearing the shoe with the lift at school for a week when the pain started.
Ahhhhhhh.
I am betting that he has been moving for almost 6 yrs with his hips out of place. Now, for the first time, they are in place.
And it hurts.
Poor kid.
Hopefully it will stop hurting soon.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Why I Hate Tuesdays
Tuesday. Physio day. I hate Tuesdays.
Matthew has been doing well at school. He has settled down into routine. There are no fights to go, there are no tears.
Except Tuesdays. Physio day.
I picked him up after school. Told him he could only stay 10 minutes to play because it was physio day. He sobbed. Two moms I have never met came over and asked if everything was ok. Hard to explain to a stranger in 30 seconds what has been his lifetime.
We got in the van. He screamed. He cried. He refused to take his Motrin. He yelled. He cried some more. Unfortunately, this went on for the whole 55 min drive through downtown rush hour to his physio's office. And poor Ryan, along for the ride was shuttled to Daddy's car along the way, off to follow Daddy to his appointment.
Once there, he sobbed in the waiting room and begged me to stay. His p/t agreed I could stay only if he worked hard. And work hard he did for an hour. It hurt. It was hard. I could see. Normally, I don't. Now, I see why he hates Tuesdays.
50 minutes home through the last of rush hour, he didn't complain as much. I let him pick out a Bakugan toy at the dollar store. That kept him happy for most of the trip.
Once home, push dinner, a few minutes to play, then bed.
Now, for me, a glass or two of wine... and a few tears.
I hate Tuesdays.
Matthew has been doing well at school. He has settled down into routine. There are no fights to go, there are no tears.
Except Tuesdays. Physio day.
I picked him up after school. Told him he could only stay 10 minutes to play because it was physio day. He sobbed. Two moms I have never met came over and asked if everything was ok. Hard to explain to a stranger in 30 seconds what has been his lifetime.
We got in the van. He screamed. He cried. He refused to take his Motrin. He yelled. He cried some more. Unfortunately, this went on for the whole 55 min drive through downtown rush hour to his physio's office. And poor Ryan, along for the ride was shuttled to Daddy's car along the way, off to follow Daddy to his appointment.
Once there, he sobbed in the waiting room and begged me to stay. His p/t agreed I could stay only if he worked hard. And work hard he did for an hour. It hurt. It was hard. I could see. Normally, I don't. Now, I see why he hates Tuesdays.
50 minutes home through the last of rush hour, he didn't complain as much. I let him pick out a Bakugan toy at the dollar store. That kept him happy for most of the trip.
Once home, push dinner, a few minutes to play, then bed.
Now, for me, a glass or two of wine... and a few tears.
I hate Tuesdays.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Keeping My Eye on the Prize
Matthew has been sobbing off and on all morning. He does not want to go to physio today. Makes it hard as a Mommy to continually take your child places that they don't like for the simple fact that it hurts.
He has spent the better part of the morning curled up in my lap, big tears rolling down his face begging me, pleading with me, making deals with me to get him out of it. I have tried explaining why and I think deep down he knows. Just some days are harder then others.
I find a lot of inspiration in song lyrics. Nickelback's song, If Today Was Your Last Day has some pretty powerful lines. I love the line
He has spent the better part of the morning curled up in my lap, big tears rolling down his face begging me, pleading with me, making deals with me to get him out of it. I have tried explaining why and I think deep down he knows. Just some days are harder then others.
I find a lot of inspiration in song lyrics. Nickelback's song, If Today Was Your Last Day has some pretty powerful lines. I love the line
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Yup. Always worth the fight. And we are off to do battle. Off to the orthotist to see if we can come up with a solution for the extra ankle room, then off to p/t. Today it does feel like a battle, but one that we will win.
"If Today Was Your Last Day" - Nickelback
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Physio
Yesterday was dreaded physio day. Matthew really does hate it and how can I blame him. Someone takes his tender foot and stretches it to where it really hurts, then holds it in that position over and over and over again for the better part of 30 min. Then, said person has him do exercises on sore foot.
And apparently I need to work harder on my stretching position to include his calcaneus (heel bone). I need to make sure it is being moved outward as his front foot is turned out and the foot is stretched upwards. Feeling like a degree in p/t would help me out greatly.
Sigh.
The good side of it all is that she was able to get him into what looked to me like 20 degrees about neutral. I could be wrong, but even she was pleased with it. And, to Matthew's horror, she held it in that position for 30 sec numerous times.
Maybe it was the Advil I gave him an hour before, maybe it is finally loosing up. Either way, we will keep at it at home and with sessions. Hopefully we will be raising it to twice a week as soon as the funds filter through in a few weeks.
She was very impressed with his gait this week. She could not believe the difference in a week. When walking, you hardly notice a gait difference. When running, he has stopped his 'Terry Fox Hop' as we call it and his gait looks fairly normal. However, on the gym floor you could hear that he is still favoring it. Gotta love the sound of a gym floor. No hiding gait discrepancies there.
By the way, I looked into taking Physiotherapy for myself. It is 25 month, course based Masters degree after you have a B.SC., which I have. Problem is the closest post secondary school to offer this is 3 hours away.
Still thinking about this one...
And apparently I need to work harder on my stretching position to include his calcaneus (heel bone). I need to make sure it is being moved outward as his front foot is turned out and the foot is stretched upwards. Feeling like a degree in p/t would help me out greatly.
Sigh.
The good side of it all is that she was able to get him into what looked to me like 20 degrees about neutral. I could be wrong, but even she was pleased with it. And, to Matthew's horror, she held it in that position for 30 sec numerous times.
Maybe it was the Advil I gave him an hour before, maybe it is finally loosing up. Either way, we will keep at it at home and with sessions. Hopefully we will be raising it to twice a week as soon as the funds filter through in a few weeks.
She was very impressed with his gait this week. She could not believe the difference in a week. When walking, you hardly notice a gait difference. When running, he has stopped his 'Terry Fox Hop' as we call it and his gait looks fairly normal. However, on the gym floor you could hear that he is still favoring it. Gotta love the sound of a gym floor. No hiding gait discrepancies there.
By the way, I looked into taking Physiotherapy for myself. It is 25 month, course based Masters degree after you have a B.SC., which I have. Problem is the closest post secondary school to offer this is 3 hours away.
Still thinking about this one...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Back to Physio
Matthew was back at p/t on Wednesday. Gosh, I really hate p/t and I am not even the one receiving it. He hates it because it hurts and he has to take time from fun stuff to do it. And he has to continue to do it for quite some time. Hard to make a 6 yr old understand the benefits. Impossible to tell him to suck it up.
Anyways. His p/t was impressed with the shape and mobility of his foot. She measured him before she started stretching and she was able to get him to 10 degrees past neutral, possibly even 15. Yay! That is awesome! Sad news is she did have to push to get him there... but a few short months ago he could barely be stretched to neutral.
I got a few other things to try at home to add to our day. Yay. Sorry, not too thrilled about it. It means more pushing him to do more of what he hates. Generally sets up negativity and anger between the two of us. I need to work on that.
We discussed the prescription I was given for the p/t. Turns out that it doesn't matter, there is no Alberta healthcare funding for children unless they are post-op...which we were so thrilled he was able to avoid. She is looking into it to see if there is ANYTHING for post serial casting, but highly doubtful. So we are back to paying out of pocket. Craig has some funds through work, but we have almost finished Matthew's allotted amount already. Not much else we can do. He needs it so we will need to pay for it.
If we can do enough at home, Matthew can see her once a week for awhile. Crossing my fingers I can step up to the plate on that one.
Anyways. His p/t was impressed with the shape and mobility of his foot. She measured him before she started stretching and she was able to get him to 10 degrees past neutral, possibly even 15. Yay! That is awesome! Sad news is she did have to push to get him there... but a few short months ago he could barely be stretched to neutral.
I got a few other things to try at home to add to our day. Yay. Sorry, not too thrilled about it. It means more pushing him to do more of what he hates. Generally sets up negativity and anger between the two of us. I need to work on that.
We discussed the prescription I was given for the p/t. Turns out that it doesn't matter, there is no Alberta healthcare funding for children unless they are post-op...which we were so thrilled he was able to avoid. She is looking into it to see if there is ANYTHING for post serial casting, but highly doubtful. So we are back to paying out of pocket. Craig has some funds through work, but we have almost finished Matthew's allotted amount already. Not much else we can do. He needs it so we will need to pay for it.
If we can do enough at home, Matthew can see her once a week for awhile. Crossing my fingers I can step up to the plate on that one.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
This is my normal
Do you ever just want to scream at that person "This IS my normal life!" You know the one I mean... that person that either has no children, or has the PERFECT children and they just watched a particularly bad and embarrassing meltdown from your not so perfect child and they are giving you a look like they just saw your child grow a third head?
Maybe I am just tired. Maybe I am just fed up. Maybe I have just had enough. Maybe I need more patience. Maybe I just need a glass of wine. Anyhow, this was my day today.
I picked the kids up from school today and Matthew, managed to pick up a ball in the gym and kick it so it hit himself in the eye. I think that deserves some sort of recognition. I mean, really! What skill to drop a ball, kick it and have it hit your eye directly! There were a few tears but all in all a relatively uneventful owie.
Fast forward an hour and a half to the eye appointments for the boys. The doctor examined Matthew's eye and said there were some abrasions, had he had some recent trauma to his eye?
I explained his ball the to eye incident early in the day.
She said she wanted to take a look at the back of is eye, make sure there was no trauma there so he would need the pupil dilation drops. I agreed. She told Matthew the drops were going to hurt.
Matthew had a massive meltdown. He flew off the chair and came at me, fists flying. He hit me a few times before I could get a hold of him, look him in the eye and talk him down.
That is when she gave me that look. The one where she just saw my child grow a third head and that I was the worst mom in the world. I just wanted to scream "THIS IS MY NORMAL!" I didn't want to explain it again. I didn't want to have her look at me like I was a bad mommy, or worse, that I have a horrid kid.
Instead, I explained to her that this is a kid who sees a lot of doctors and many tell him this will hurt... and it does hurt... a lot. So, when a doctor says to him this will hurt, he gets a lot of pain. He was angry because I had told him he was not going to have any pain at this appointment.
In the end, I was able to calm him down and hold him for the drops. After he got them he said "huh, that didn't hurt"
So this is my plea to all who happen to read this. Please, try not to judge that mom you just saw do something you said you would never do, or a kid who did something you would never allow your child to do. That could be their normal they are struggling through.
Maybe I am just tired. Maybe I am just fed up. Maybe I have just had enough. Maybe I need more patience. Maybe I just need a glass of wine. Anyhow, this was my day today.
I picked the kids up from school today and Matthew, managed to pick up a ball in the gym and kick it so it hit himself in the eye. I think that deserves some sort of recognition. I mean, really! What skill to drop a ball, kick it and have it hit your eye directly! There were a few tears but all in all a relatively uneventful owie.
Fast forward an hour and a half to the eye appointments for the boys. The doctor examined Matthew's eye and said there were some abrasions, had he had some recent trauma to his eye?
I explained his ball the to eye incident early in the day.
She said she wanted to take a look at the back of is eye, make sure there was no trauma there so he would need the pupil dilation drops. I agreed. She told Matthew the drops were going to hurt.
Matthew had a massive meltdown. He flew off the chair and came at me, fists flying. He hit me a few times before I could get a hold of him, look him in the eye and talk him down.
That is when she gave me that look. The one where she just saw my child grow a third head and that I was the worst mom in the world. I just wanted to scream "THIS IS MY NORMAL!" I didn't want to explain it again. I didn't want to have her look at me like I was a bad mommy, or worse, that I have a horrid kid.
Instead, I explained to her that this is a kid who sees a lot of doctors and many tell him this will hurt... and it does hurt... a lot. So, when a doctor says to him this will hurt, he gets a lot of pain. He was angry because I had told him he was not going to have any pain at this appointment.
In the end, I was able to calm him down and hold him for the drops. After he got them he said "huh, that didn't hurt"
So this is my plea to all who happen to read this. Please, try not to judge that mom you just saw do something you said you would never do, or a kid who did something you would never allow your child to do. That could be their normal they are struggling through.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Frustration
I have been trying to get Matthew's medical file to St Louis so Dr Dobbs can take a look before he sees Matthew. Seems like a normal, simple request, right?
Wrong.
I am getting rather frustrated.
First, I called the hospital here requesting his file. I had to leave a message and then wait to be called back. When I was called back, I was given a new number to call, which of course was the wrong number to call. I was given a third number where I again left another message.
That person did get back to me and was the correct person. However I was told that a file would take 7-8 weeks to get to me. What? I said we have an appointment at the end of the month! Oh, that is different. If another hospital needs the information, they can call this number and request the file to be sent. Yay! Finally something solid!
I called St Louis and tried to find a person there that could call here to request the file. Seems that I did not sign a release paper to allow for that kind of transfer of information. What? I was transferred to another department. Seems that Matthew's file in St Louis states that medical information is not needed. What? She said that was unusual but not uncommon.
I emailed Dr Dobbs nurse asking if that was what he wanted. She emailed me back Friday afternoon that I could email or mail his file. Guess it is needed then. I emailed her back asking if she could request it and sent the phone number I had managed to find. Seeing it was Friday afternoon, it was too late for a reply.
So, here I sit, waiting to find out if she can request this information. And watch the calender. We are going to be there in three weeks.
Other news, Matthew spent most of yesterday hopping around on his right foot. He said his left foot hurt to much to walk on. Uh-oh. That can't be good.
Wrong.
I am getting rather frustrated.
First, I called the hospital here requesting his file. I had to leave a message and then wait to be called back. When I was called back, I was given a new number to call, which of course was the wrong number to call. I was given a third number where I again left another message.
That person did get back to me and was the correct person. However I was told that a file would take 7-8 weeks to get to me. What? I said we have an appointment at the end of the month! Oh, that is different. If another hospital needs the information, they can call this number and request the file to be sent. Yay! Finally something solid!
I called St Louis and tried to find a person there that could call here to request the file. Seems that I did not sign a release paper to allow for that kind of transfer of information. What? I was transferred to another department. Seems that Matthew's file in St Louis states that medical information is not needed. What? She said that was unusual but not uncommon.
I emailed Dr Dobbs nurse asking if that was what he wanted. She emailed me back Friday afternoon that I could email or mail his file. Guess it is needed then. I emailed her back asking if she could request it and sent the phone number I had managed to find. Seeing it was Friday afternoon, it was too late for a reply.
So, here I sit, waiting to find out if she can request this information. And watch the calender. We are going to be there in three weeks.
Other news, Matthew spent most of yesterday hopping around on his right foot. He said his left foot hurt to much to walk on. Uh-oh. That can't be good.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Hope...
Matthew has been doing well with his newest AFO. I was worried at first that he was going to need some adjustments, but it seems to be going better then I expected.
Today, he wore his AFO for 5 hours. I noticed he was hopping on his right foot and asked him if his foot hurt. He said, yes. I said, let's go take your AFO off then, but you have to take your sock off and show me where it hurts. With his sock off, I can see any blisters or rub marks. Helps me narrow down what is going on, and where adjustments are needed.
So he took it off and pointed to his long scar on his instep. It is not a spot where an edge touches. I was puzzled and said, really? He said, yes Mommy, but really deep.
Ohhhhhhhh.
Ever have one of those moments where everything stops for a split second? I had one.
What does that mean? I am not sure, I am not a dr, or a p/t, or an orthotist... but to me that meant that his foot was sore from being stretched into a straighter position. Which is the goal.
So, bad mommy here, but I am thrilled that he hurts. It means that for the first time in a long time, his foot was stretched into the proper position for 5 hours.
Don't get me wrong, his foot is still not in nuetral. He will still need the next surgery sooner then anyone had anticipated. But maybe, just maybe, this latest AFO will keep his foot loose enough that he can go farther with the next step.
I can only hope that this is the turn we have been praying for.
Today, he wore his AFO for 5 hours. I noticed he was hopping on his right foot and asked him if his foot hurt. He said, yes. I said, let's go take your AFO off then, but you have to take your sock off and show me where it hurts. With his sock off, I can see any blisters or rub marks. Helps me narrow down what is going on, and where adjustments are needed.
So he took it off and pointed to his long scar on his instep. It is not a spot where an edge touches. I was puzzled and said, really? He said, yes Mommy, but really deep.
Ohhhhhhhh.
Ever have one of those moments where everything stops for a split second? I had one.
What does that mean? I am not sure, I am not a dr, or a p/t, or an orthotist... but to me that meant that his foot was sore from being stretched into a straighter position. Which is the goal.
So, bad mommy here, but I am thrilled that he hurts. It means that for the first time in a long time, his foot was stretched into the proper position for 5 hours.
Don't get me wrong, his foot is still not in nuetral. He will still need the next surgery sooner then anyone had anticipated. But maybe, just maybe, this latest AFO will keep his foot loose enough that he can go farther with the next step.
I can only hope that this is the turn we have been praying for.
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