Footsie Doctor

Today was the reschedule for the Orthopedist visit that we cancelled due to the recent beach trip. It was nice that Kathleen (nurse) remembers us in that madness they experience every day - the waiting room is always a mad house. We hadn't been in over three months.

In fact, October 2 was the three month mark since Alder went from cast to brace. In general, when all goes well, the three month mark is when brace time can be reduced. And indeed, Dr. Tuten checked Alder out today: looked at feet, flexed the achilles, rotated stuff, checked for stiffness in hip movement, smelled his feet, licked his feet, lots of checking, we dont ask questions. No, but he gave a positive 'yep' on everything and announced that all looked really great, and that we could only wear the brace for 12 hours/day and set an appointment for 6 months. SIX! And it was neat that Alder had this what-are-you-doing-to-me look on his face the whole 1.5 minute exam, studying Dr. Tuten, (as I guess he has no memory of the times before when he has been there...wow!) and then as soon as "in about six months" left Doc's mouth, Alder flashed this big smile.

We asked what he (Dr.) would think about our not being quite so aggressive with moving off the brace. Like say, what about cutting back hours more gradually than 12 hours, BAM, like that. He said that this would not be necessary, but that "more brace time wont hurt", so if we wanted to do it this way to go for it. From reading up (mostly mom) we have determined that this is a better safe than sorry approach and what Dr. Ponseti himself recommends. To make sure that transition is just that, and to make sure that if things start moving back the wrong way, then we will catch it. But as an answer to a related question, Dr. Tuten even said today that if things started to move back we would definitely catch it. We'd see it starting to happen, even with braces off for all but 12 sleeping hours a day. Nonetheless, we will take the more staggered course, for comfort. What's the rush anyway? That is sort of the point in getting treatment started early anway, when possible.

So, it was exciting. Les recalled on the way in to Alder that we had been there many times and the first times Mommy and Alder always left crying. (Dad didn't because he is big and tough and shaves and on the weekends wears the same dirty clothes as last weekend and skips deoderant and bathing altogether. ...K 'nough.) Really though, it was vividly nostalgic to recall those first times: nervous in the waiting room, on pins for the verdict and needles for the outlook. Just hoping hoping that all would work fine. And now, this visit was a morning of confident excitement. Talk about transitions! It is so completely low-sun-sky lovely to be where we are with this. Things are looking good and we are grateful-we know there are many variables that can and do enter the treatment along the way. We are fortunate for good doctors, for family at the first doc visits and family and friends all around.

Here are some photos. Afterall, one of the main reasons that Les took on the responsibly of keeping this blog was to give a little back to the club foot community. We continue to learn so much from other clubfoot baby blogs, forums, etc. What a resource for us. In fact, the Doc. office refers new parents of new babies with clubfeet to Les via phone to talk about things, ask questions. Les readily does so too as we know how invaluable this is.

It is apparent in these photos that Alder's feet dont just flip in when the brace is off.

It is much like braces on teeth - it would take days probably for things to shift back the tiniest bit, but neglected and they might turn in more than is acceptable.

Another thing to notice is that altogether, his feet are a bit small. Indeed he is in his upper-90th percentiles for height and weight and this is not really noticeable unless you look for it and like us, unless you take note of how much larger are other babies' feet that are his weight, etc. This is typical of club foot; for the clubbed foot to be smaller. In our case, both are. This should even out for the most part with age.

All for now.