Picture of a Pitcher

Matthew got to pitch his first inning this week in little league (They only pitch one inning a game).  He did a great job!  First batter got on after two strikes.  Next three batters were struck out!

  Check it out here.

Not bad for a kid with clubfoot, nerve damage, numerous surgeries, leg length discrepancy and an AFO.

Coach says Matthew will be pitching in every game for the rest of the season! 

Mama's Got A New Pair Of Shoes!... Wait, That's Not Right

Check it out!

 

Yup, shoes fits... but I am not going to be wearing it.  This is Matthew's newest sandal complete with lift courtesy of my man Tony.

When did this kid grow so fast?

An Overdue Update

I realized that last year's posts were filled with sick kid updates.  Thought I would update.

Matthew saw an ENT in September.  I knew his tonsils needed to go but had heard that most doctors these days do not want to remove them.  I was ready for the battle with a list of illnesses and medications.  The doctor took one look at Matthew's tonsils and said "how does Dec 6 work for you?"  No argument, no battle.  Only a compassionate doctor.

So, in December, Matthew had his tonsils and adenoids removed.  It was a tough few weeks, but since then he has been healthier then he has been in 18 months.  Best decision ever.  Even Ryan has been healthier.

Some days I think as a parent you need to have a medical degree.  For years, Matthew has not been able to fly well.  His ears NEVER equalize while flying.  I've tried everything.  Gum, drinks, medication.  Nothing works.  Until now.  Adenoid removal.  Now his ears are clear flying.  Turns out, if you research adenoids, when swollen, they block the Eustachian tube and you can not clear them for flying.

If only I had know.  All those flights to St. Louis. 

Poor kid.

But that is the past.  As always, we look forward.  No sense in looking back.

Another Day, Another Toe Strap

I know I wasn't blogging but believe me, this happened about 2 or 3 months ago.

Another blown toe strap.  I like it when we blow an ankle strap.  I have a bunch of those in my drawer.  Just remove the old one, replace with the new one.  Problem with the toe strap is it needed more anchoring then the other straps.  It is anchored with two rivets.  Why?  Because of this.  When we blow a toe strap, it means I need to take it to the orthotist, leave it a day, then go and get it again.

Yet another reason why I am so thankful I am not working.  Guess where I am going tomorrow.

The Shoe Never Lies

Was cleaning out the hall closet and found Matthew's running shoes from last year.  What an eye opener.

Do you see it?  The shoes NEVER lie.  On the left are Matthew's shoes from this year, on the right, from last year.  Do you see the wear marks on that green left shoe?  That was how much he was walking on the side of his foot.

 Here is another view.

For the first time in years and years, Matthew's foot finally seems to be stabilizing.  Finally, we have progress without the steps back.  The end of June marks one full year without a cast and no cast in the immediate future.  That little foot is getting stronger, starting to hold correction.  That little boy (not so little anymore) is working hard to walk straight, to keep his heel down, to try and walk heel toe.

 Funny how an old shoe can bring such joy.

For Grandpa and Levi

Here is a short video I made of Matthew playing football this season. Matthew Grandpa to see it and also his little foot friend Levi.

For those who are not Grandpa or Levi, this is yet another installment of 'what can you do with a neuromuscular clubfoot'.

Football 2011

He's Got Rider Pride

We are back from St. Louis. These 36 hour visits are tough on us both.

So some answers. First, yes. He is again in a cast. This time, green and black (there is no white) for his favorite CFL team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. As you can see, he is a very proud Rider fan.

It is a full leg cast. The last time we did a half leg cast and honestly, everyone involved from myself to Dr Dobbs to Steve who we saw today, feels it was of no benefit. Sadly, it will be the last half leg cast.

Now for the answers.

The callous that has been developing on his heel is purely skin. YAY!!! Did you hear me scream YAY at about 8 am yesterday? It was that much of a relief.
This is what the callous looks like. You can see by the shape why I thought that it could be bone being laid down.



And his leg length discrepancy seems to be holding steady for two years now. Again, another big YAY!!!

We had to wait a long time to see Dr. Dobbs. The man has become increasingly busy. We don't mind waiting, honestly. We travel a long way to see him, and he knows what he speaks of and he knows how to deal with this. We waited for about 4 hours for him. And this time we did NOT leave the room! Last time, we made the mistake of going to the bathroom and getting a coffee and missed him! Had to wait again!

So this time, we waited. And when he did get to us, he apologized, and Kristina apologized and everyone else apologized. What a breath of fresh air. They didn't need to apologize. We know how busy he is. We know how fortunate we are to be able to see him. We know how amazing that whole team is. And how humble they are. What a wonderful group to work with. And how wonderful for them to recognize us in our wait. So many times you see a doctor and you feel like a number. NEVER with Dr. Dobbs and his team.

And the update.

His foot is tight, but that is just what is going to happen when he grows. And if you remember, he just grew out of all his shoes in March. So we are definitely dealing with yet another growth spurt.

Dr. Dobbs is pleased with Matthew's lateral motion. If you didn't see it before, in April we saw this which I was thrilled with. And it has gotten even better. Will have to video tape when the cast is off. Amazing when a year ago it was barely a flicker.

He said with this getting stronger, that one day it would take over and work with us, keeping his foot in place.

Wow. It is like seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how small or dull. There it is. Finally.

I asked about physio. Dr. Dobbs wants him back at weekly physio. We had dropped it to every two weeks. Will step it up again. Dr. Dobbs also said, "If I remember correctly, his p/t willing to tape?" Yes. (In fact Steve had said that he would tape rather then cast so I could go to my reunion) Dr. Dobbs would like Matthew's foot to be taped after every physio appointment and leave it on for a few days. Just to get that extra stretch. Will do.

And to keep up with the E-stim. Yes, most definitely. Dr. Dobbs asked what Matthew had it turned on to at home. I said '3', almost cringing, expecting him to say that wasn't enough. But never from him. He said that was fine. In fact, I told Dr. Dobbs that Steve was talking about using a stronger E-stim machine while at physio. I said that Steve told me that he pushes on Matthew like he does an adult and that Matthew never complains. He smiled and nodded. Like he knows, because I think he just does know.

And just before he was casted, I shared with the team a poem Matthew had written in school. They wrote many poems, subjects always up to them.

This was the frame work for Matthew's Cinquain.

Cinquain Pattern #2

Line1: A noun

Line2: Two adjectives

Line 3: Three -ing words

Line 4: A phrase

Line 5: Another word for the noun.

And this was his poem.

St. Louis
helpful, kind
helping, casting, caring
helping people when they have a broken leg
casting

All of the people seemed touched. But Dr. Dobbs especially. I said that St, Louis and casting was a big part of his life. Dr. Dobbs said 'Definitely.'

Yes. Definitely. That city, those casts, and more importantly, those people involved have become a huge part of that little 8 year old's life. Slowly, slowly, bit by bit (sorry, can't help but quote the Digging-ist Dog) we are assembling an amazing team for Matthew.

One day, we will emerge from this tunnel. I know it now. I can see the light.

E-Stim Update (7 months in)

Since buying the E-Stim machine in the fall, Matthew gets E-Stim about 4-5 days a week. I may be biased, but I think we are seeing results. Let me know what you think.

A year ago, before E-stim, this was the flicker that we saw.

This is what we are seeing now.



Did you see him move his foot outwards? Did you see his little toe move independently of the other toes?

And Matthew even surprised himself when he saw his big toe moving independently!



I think the best part is near the end (when Ryan is pointing out toe jam) you can see Matthew's left hand doing what his foot is doing. It takes a lot of concentration for that small movement.

They may seem like small steps, but in this journey, they are big leaps!

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?

Frustrated And Confused

Since school started, I have been trying to get Matthew to wear his new brace. He goes to school with it, but it is always off by recess time (2 hours later). I can see where it is bothering him. Have taken him in to our orthotist to try and have it adjusted, but the adjustments that can be made are not helping.

The new brace was made straighter and higher at the toe to try and stop the front of his foot from turning in. I completely agree with that.

Comparison of old AFO and new AFO.

But that is where the new AFO is bothering him. You can see how his foot turns right at that spot.

Braced.

Unbraced.

So, the part of his AFO that is to keep his foot from turning, is causing him to remove and not wear his AFO...which will lead to more turning of his foot. Arrrggghhhh!

Simple solution, cut the AFO down at that foot part. But, the purpose of this AFO was to try and stop that foot from turning.

Round and round we go.

I am going to send an email to Dr. Dobbs and Kristina this evening. See what their thoughts are. We don't go back to St. Louis until December.

In the meantime, he has been happily wearing his old AFO.

Oh, and another update...Ryan's eye. A real beauty in the works.

Summer Hike

Before we had kids, we loved to hike in the mountains. We wondered if we would still be able to hike when we had kids. Then, Matthew was born. We wondered if he would even walk properly. Then, when he did, we wondered what he would and would not be able to do. Then, he started to do everything. We stopped wondering if he would do things, and started to wonder when he would do things.

This past weekend, we did a big hike. We took the boys to the Plain of the Six Glaciers at Lake Louise, better known as the Teahouse Hike. Here are the stats.

distance 5.5 km (3.4 miles) to the teahouse - 11 km (6.8 miles) roundtrip
elevation gain of 420 m (1380 ft)
time 2 hours up, 1 1/2 hours down

Both boys did this no problem and are asking what hike we can do next.

So, for those of you with kids with clubfoot, or leg length discrepancies, or anyone interested, here are some pictures.

Coming round the end of the lake. Chateau Lake Louise in the background.


Taking a breather...maybe Matthew is catching a nap.


Some of the wildlife


A rare family photo with the lake and chateau in the background


enjoying some hot chocolate at the teahouse


more wildlife...well, maybe not too wild


getting ready to head back down


And to end our day

Meet Me In St. Louis

I've met someone...online. Boy, that sounds bad.

Just over a year ago, I found a mom with a little boy (now 2) who has the exact same diagnosis as Matthew. Exactly the same. Clubfoot, nerve damage, leg length discrepancy. It has been a great year of sharing, comparing, asking questions, and trying to figure things out. And now, finally, we are going to meet in St. Louis. Her little boy and Matthew both have appointments with Dr. Dobbs at the same time. Not only that, but we get to fly in Sunday afternoon and visit at Haven House.

I am really excited to see her little guy for many reasons. I want to see another little one with the same issues. I wonder if he has the same gait Matthew had, the same tripping problems, the same look to his foot. He is also sporting a new type of brace that I am very interested in seeing. One that could allow for more calf muscle development.

And I am excited to meet his mom. Talk with someone who is dealing with the same issues of AFO's, shoes, bracing, p/t, etc.

So, Jamie, I am really excited to meet you! If Haven House is funny about leaving messages for each other, we will be in one of two places, crafting in the craft room, or, most likely, running around kicking balls, throwing Frisbees, shooting hoops, in the gym. Oh, or maybe outside hunting for praying mantises. Just follow the noise.

I'll update my blog when I get a chance. Still hoping for no cast, but prepared for one.

Answering Some Questions

Been so busy the past few weeks trying to get everything ready for our trip to St. Louis, valentine's day, skating lessons, and the new taping regime that I haven't had much time to answer some of the questions in my blog or that are emailed to me. For lack of time, I hope it's ok to answer them all here.

I have a rather lengthy list of clubfoot blogs (the foot blogs) that are a great resource to some one new to the clubfoot world, but there is one blog on there Dreams and Journeys by Sue who has a little girl who has gone through an aggressive relapse and also has done kinesio taping. She has become a wealth of knowledge in that area for me. She is great at asking questions that I seem to have forgotten to ask. Either that or I have seen it for so long it seems normal to me and needs to be asked again. So, first, thanks Sue!

Some of your questions are tough to answer, but they need to be answered. I will be asking Dr. Dobbs.

Jamie is the other mom who has been a wealth of knowledge. She is not blogging but comments here on a regular basis. We also email a lot. She has a little boy who is two (did he turn two yet Jamie?) who was born with a neuromuscular clubfoot. The only other mom that I have ever chatted with who has a child with the exact same issue. And to top it off, she has an extensive knowledge of occupational and physical therapy. She also has questions for me that again, not sure if I can answer them, but will do the best I can. Thanks for all the info Jamie!

So here are some of the questions.

I hate to say it, but I do see that curve starting up again. Mild (compared to his earlier pictures -- gosh, I keep forgetting about that!) but not as straight as when he came out of the cast. What's doing that?

Good question. I have assumed it is the nerve damage and now the leg length difference as well. But I will be asking Dobbs this specifically to see if we are missing something.

Is this Kinesio tape or something else?

It is something called Elastoplast tape. Stronger then kinesio tape. Jamie commented on this yesterday. Kinesio tape is good for muscles, but this tape works for joints.

As for the MA, we will have to have that conversation too. Maybe taping can help that as well.

Can I send a fax from US to Canada?

Yes! Just need a 1 in front of the fax number. I want to compare NCT tests but the copy I got is really tough to read. I can read the summary but the individual numbers are tough to see. I am going to ask for a photocopy from Kristina when we get there. Then we can compare them and see if we can find some similarities.

How long was Matthew's tape on?

We are leaving it on for 2-3 days then changing it. We started this process ten days ago. By the time we see Dr Dobbs, it will have been on one day shy of two weeks.

Interesting, you said that casting "fixes" the MA. But is that really true? Or is it a temporary fix? This is my dilemma right now -- the casting had worked for a while but, like Matthew, we saw the curve come back after several months. Does casting just hold it for a while?

You got me there Sue. Yes, it seems to be a temporary fix. Need to figure out how to make it a permanent fix...

There is a possibility that people can be allergic to the adhesive

I suppose that could be the reason for the irritated skin, but I think I think if there was an allergy, it would be itchy while wearing it. It is fine on, the only problem is removal. I bought a product yesterday called Remove that is supposed to be a de adhesive. Will try it out today to see if it helps.

And perhaps do some sort of taping post cast to help maintain correction? Putting that strong tape right back on is just too much stress for the skin perhaps

Yes. I am beginning to wonder if we can do something like this. Maybe cast him now. Then, for a few days a month (or something along that lines) tape him to keep position. Almost like casting him occasionally, only this casting he can wear shoes, bathe, and move around like a normal kid. Maybe that would keep his foot in proper position for a longer period of time.

I'm not suggesting surgery for you again, but if Dobbs could possibly fix something surgically to avoid casts, casts, and more casts...just a thought, what do you think?

I was wondering about this. Last year, when Dr Dobbs first saw Matthew's foot, he suggested that if castings didn't work, he could do more surgery. I am assuming (will need to ask for clarification) that he would then do an ATTT seeing he had the PTTT already. I really don't want to do it, but it may end up being a possibility. I am so thankful that Dr Dobbs is a cast first, surgery only if needed kinda guy. I know that if he wants to do more surgery, it is because all other possibilities are exhausted.

I hope I got all of the questions. Please ask away if you have more. I'll do my best to answer them.

We fly out first thing Sunday morning. Have to be at the airport by 6 am. We arrive in St. Louis at 3:30 pm local time so should be at Haven House by 4:30 pm. Will try to update after our appointment Monday. I am still not packed, my house is not clean, but the kid's have skates for their skating lessons that start on the 18th and all their valentine's are done. Oh, and Jamie, we are trying skating brace free. Just using the skate boot for support. If that works, we may try skiing brace free too...

Sometimes You Have To Look Back To See Forward

Two years ago (plus a few days) Matthew had his posterior tibial tendon transfer, calcanial osteotomy, medial release, and some botoxing. This time last year, I was devastated after his surgeon decided Matthew needed more surgery. His foot looked terrible.

I started searching for another option and found first a very large clubfoot group (2600 members), second, a small neuromuscular clubfoot group (now 11 members) , and then Dr Dobbs.

This past year we went from thinking Matthew needed more surgery to correcting his foot through proper castings. I was quite upset thinking Matthew will need yet another cast when we go in two weeks, but looking back, I see we have come so far.

Just not far enough yet.

Here are some comparison pictures.

Jan 21/2008 the night before sugery


March 18/2008 after the casts came off


Jan 22/2009 One year post op


May 18/2009 after 7 weeks of casting with Dr Dobbs


Jan 25/2010 two years post op, signs of regression again.


And for his talus bone, I am convinced we are seeing it again. His foot is supinated

his talus pops out. It is not as bad as it was last year, but it is there.

Talus bone last year.


And talus today. Not the best picture (Matthew was not cooperative this morning) but you can see it.


So now you can see what I am seeing. I am convinced a casting will happen. Now, to let Matthew know what is in store. He will not be happy.

And one last shot for Michelle from Xandibby and Co. who was asking about stretches.

I do stretch Matthew in his AFO by pushing his foot upwards when his AFO is on. This is the other stretch that I do. By the way, Matthew was really uncooperative this morning and was hiding beside the couch. Oh well, just need the foot for stretching.

I was told to make sure I use my thumbs on his heel and push it down as I push his foot up. That way his talus is in the proper position for stretching. Also, I try hard not to push the middle of his foot. Before I was told I was causing a mid foot break by doing that. Hope that makes sense.

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.

A New Mom To Report Cards Wonders What To Do

The boys brought their report cards home last week. I am proud to say that they both achieved excellence in almost every single area. Ryan got a B on patterns (gosh, the kid is in kindergarten...we are not concerned) and Matthew got a B in phys. ed.

Now, getting all A's and a B in phys ed is an outstanding report card. We are not concerned at all about Matthew's grades. But I am curious. At the beginning of the year, I let his teacher know about his foot. I never thought about him having a different teacher for phys ed. So, currently, the phys ed teacher does not know about Matthew's foot.

That means, the grade he received is comparable to every other child that teacher works with. That B is rather great in that perspective.

So, that begs the question. Do I tell the phys ed teacher about Matthew's foot? Not so that he grades him accordingly, but so that he knows that if he sees limitations, it is not for lack of trying but for physical reasons.

Or do I just let it be and have him continue to work with and grade him as a student without physical problems?

I'm torn. What would you do?

My Normal Seems... Well, Normal

Tuesday was Matthew's physio day. He was actually looking forward to it. He has really bonded with Steve. And, well really, how can he not? Here is a young, cool guy who thinks Matthew is the best thing since sliced bread. Seriously. There is some sort of magic there.

And my husband booked a p/t appointment for himself at the same time. Perfect. I dropped Matthew off at 4:15 and headed to the reception desk with Ryan to head to home to make dinner.

Stopped at reception to make Matthew's appointment for next week. The owner of the physio shop stopped by to say hello and ask me, "So, what did you do to your son? Soccer accident?"

I replied with "No. He was born with a neuromuscular clubfoot due to nerve damage. We are trying to keep his heel cord loose and his talus in position to avoid more surgery."

He looked, well, speechless. After a few seconds, he said "Surgeries?"

I gave a brief outline... tenotomy, medial release, tendon transfer, calcanial ostiotomy... that we were really trying to avoid another tenotomy or worse. Or at least post pone as long as possible.

He stepped away from me. Looked at Matthew, and Steve. Walked back to me. Said, "Wow." Deep breath. "Steve is great." And left.

Some days I forget that my normal, Matthew's normal is not that normal. But I think that as long as I can keep him feeling normal through this process, the better off he will be.

Two insights from p/t this week.

1. Giving Matthew Motrin helps immensely. I forgot last week but remembered this week. Steve noticed a huge difference. Will try not to forget from now on.

2. People in the office for treatment while Matthew is in will receive less care. Craig said he will never book another appointment at the same time as Matthew. Steve was just to focused on Matthew.

Hoping that remains a good thing.

A Sad Day For The Clubfoot Community

On Sunday, after suffering a debilitating stroke, Dr. Ponseti has passed away at the age of 95.

Dr. Ponseti revolutionized the world of clubfeet by developing a method (now referred to as the Ponseti method worldwide) of serial casting rather then surgeries to correct clubfeet.

Matthew and I never had the pleasure of meeting this man although I did correspond with him through email. In 2003, when Matthew was 4 months old, I had concerns that his foot was not correcting properly. I decided to send an email to the legendary man himself thinking that maybe if I was lucky, one of his staff members would email back with their professional opinion. I mean really, at the time, the man was 89 years old.

I was shocked to receive an email back within an hour from his personal secretary stating that he had gone for the day but would respond to my inquiry first thing in the morning. And, yes, he got back to me the next day with his professional opinion as well as contact information of the nearest doctor (Dr Pirani in Vancouver) that could do what he would do.

The clubfoot community has suffered a great loss but at the same time is very fortunate to have so many doctors that have trained under him to continue his legacy. For not only has this great man imparted his clubfoot knowledge, but he has somehow shared his love for the children and parents as well.

What a rare person to touch and change so many lives. What a rare opportunity for us to have seen his accomplishments first hand.

He will be dearly missed.

Feels Like Christmas

The view out our window is enough to make you think Christmas is just around the corner.


And we got to open this cheery looking package today.


Not sure who I felt more sorry for. The poor doctor attempting to remove a Dobbs cast or poor Matthew who had to endure it. Normally, cast removal takes five minutes tops. This poor guy was stumped and mystified and it took him 40 minutes. Normally, the cast comes off in two pieces. This poor guy butchered the cast (better then butchering the child) and we only saved 2 of the bigger pieces.


Matthew is doing well and walking on it already, although it is tender and he tires quickly. Shouldn't take long before the crutches go back into storage.


Also stopped in and saw Matthew's orthotist for a lift on his indoor school shoes. Found out that only 3/4 inches and more are covered here. How silly is that? So 1/2 inch lift is considered...what? Unnecessary? Cosmetic? How silly. They shoe should be ready in a few days.

Here's hoping this leg length discrepancy and shoe lift is the last piece of the puzzle and his foot stops regressing.

A long day

For the first time ever, I had to drag Matthew out of bed. I woke him up and he said "no, Mommy", rolled over and went back to sleep. Poor kid. Both of us laid awake last night after little sleep the night before and a long day.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am and were called back immediately for forms, wt, ht, x-rays, photos, then into an exam room for more forms.

We were seen by a few nurses before Dr. Dobbs came in. I have to say, what everyone says about him is true. He is a very nice, understanding and knowledgable man.

He asked for Matthew's history then examined his foot. I am too tired to remember how the converstation went so below is what I remember, in no paticular order.

Yes, he is tight and his foot needs to be moved over. Casting and intensive p/t should do that. He may need the tenotomy again, but Dr. Dobbs will wait to see how tight he is after casting. Yes, Matthew is in a full leg cast, red this time. Photos to follow when I return home.

Yes, his extra ankles is the bottom of his talus bone protruding out. There is no new bone being laid down. No damage has been done. After this first cast, it should not be visible any more.

He feels that with this set of casting, possible tenotomy, intensive p/t and a new AFO his foot should hold in position for the long term. Yay!

He is pleased at how much motion his tendon that was transfered has. Yay!

He is willing to work with Matthew's current surgeon if I want. I explained that I may have burned a few bridges there and not sure if we can do that.

He is also willing to work with our p/t and our orthotist.

Even better then this news, Matthew made a friend. His new buddy is 7 and has a right clubfoot that seems to be regressing. They met in the x-ray department and by the time we were having a surgical tour, they were best buddies. They both got casts and are scheduled to be back on the same day for a cast change. I told his mom about haven house. She was very interested, maybe they will stay here together next time. I think this is the first time Matthew has seen another child the same age with the same problem. It was so wonderful to see them together.

So our next few weeks looks like this. This cast stays for 2 weeks. We come back here on Easter Sunday for a cast change Easter Monday. Then we stay for the next 3 weekly cast changes. Dr. Dobbs feels that 4 casts should do it, but that is an estimate. At that point, he may or may not need a tenotomy. If he does, it will mean three weeks in that cast before removal. Then, intensive p/t.

It is 3 pm, we are both tired and hungry. Matthew wants to go back up to the room. It is going to be early dinner then bed for tonight. We have a driver picking us up at 6:15 am for the airport. We have 58 min between flights tomorrow, if we make it we should be home by 1:30 tomorrow. Then I have to arrange everything for our next trip.

Will update with photos when I can.