Miracle Child Born with Club Feet: November 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

1st Thanksgiving Tomorrow

This day is going to be very special for my precious miracle child. It's going to be her 1st Thanksgiving and there is going to be a lot of thanks to be given upon her. She has made these past several months a blessing for me and my family. She came at a time when we least expected. We were so busy focusing on our 2 other children and really not thinking that a miracle like her would come along and make our path even brighter.

When Thanksgiving day comes around, that is the day for Family and extended family and friends to get together and enjoy that time you share together. That's the day where we take our busy schedule and put that to the side and focus on the little things, because that's what really matters. The connection and love that we show for each other, that little attention, caring, and giving of our hearts. That's the time to just listen to feelings about the goodness of each other and reminice on the times and memories that was built. That is what makes our lives much easier. To know that Family is just around the corner or a call away.

So having her to be an addition to our family just gave us more blessings to share to our family. More special celebrations are to come and it will be even more fun with her to celebrate with. To know that we as a family are blessed and we could get through anything together as long as we are there to support and love one another unconditinally.

I want to tell everyone out there to have a Happy, Safe, Joyous and Blessed Thanksgiving and more to come. Speak to you all very soon.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

MORE NEWS..................

The day I took my baby for her 6 month old check-up, last Monday, I received additional news on top of the one problem that she is already dealing with from her Club Feet. Part of the normal check-up routine, when babies reach a certain age, is to check for problems in the hip area by rotating their hips in a circular motion like riding a bicycle. That's the best way I can describe it, in order for you to get the picture in your mind.

The doctor, checking her that day noticed that there was a problem in her hip area, because her left leg is shorter than her right leg. She continued to rotate her hips to listen for a clicking sound, an indication that her hip bone was out of the socket. It didn't make any sound, so it was something different going on, and not good.

Her main pediatrician wasn't there that day, maybe a coincidence, you all tell me, to discover this problem. Anyway, that doctor ordered an Ultrasound to be done on her hips to check for further problems. I had to take my baby to another hospital to get this done, the following day. Since we had an appointment for early in the morning, I figured that it wouldn't be long for us to get called and see what the problem was.

I was so anxiously waiting and playing with her and looking at her, just thinking how strong she really is. She has been through a lot of "bumps in the road" since being in the womb. I was just thinking what else could it be now? Is this a test from God on how much I can take and still maintain my sanity? I had to figure it out. This is just reality, and what people go through in life. You have to go through such trials and tribulations sometimes to just appreciate what you have and the "little things".

When she was called to get the Ultrasound, it took forever to finish, because they had to take images of the whole hip and type in the name of each area in the hip. I just had to be patient and deal with it, because I wanted to know exactly what was wrong with my baby's hips. After like 45 minutes or so of doing the Ultrasound, I was told that they would have to do an X-ray, because come to find out, she was too old for the ultrasound. The age limit for an ultrasound, for her age is 4 months. OKAY! I had to take some more time out, which was no problem, to get the X-ray done the same day. I wanted to get it done and over with. I want her normal. The doctor, who ordered the ultrasound from the start should have known that 6 months was too old for and ultrasound, I just didn't understand that. I only brought like 2 bottles with me, thinking that my appointment was set up and I would be there for a certain amount of time. I didn't expect to stay their any longer. Let me just get to the point. LOL!

The X-ray came back that her hip seemed out of place or in other words out of the socket. At first to me, it sounded like it was broken. The doctor says that if it was broken, her legs would have been swollen or have edema on them. I just didn't want to listen to more bad news for her. She didn't give me any Diagnosis to go on. So I was just worrying, until I got answers. That pediatrician called her Orthopedic for this additional news about her hips. So furthermore, I had to follow up with her Orthopedic for an additional X-ray and treatment options.

ORTHOPEDIC UPDATE........"Congenital Dislocation and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip"

I took her today for her regular check-up with the Orthopedic today. He took another X-ray of her hips in his private office for his records, and to have a closer look to see what the problem was. He concluded that the ball in her left hip was out of place. The options that me and my husband have to fix this problem are the following:

A simple outpatient visit with local anesthesia, where he just make a little incision in the hip to make an opening to try to rotate the ball back into the socket.
Outpatient visit with local anesthesia, where he would just try to manually rotate the ball back into the socket, without an incision.
Inpatient visit, with general anesthesia, where he would operate on her and put the ball back into place, this being the most accurate way to do the job.

After all of this, she would have to wear a splint or a plaster cast between 6-12 weeks, starting from under her breast bone down to her feet. I felt like what we are experiencing with the treatment of her Club Feet, this is just more stress. It's not her fault, but she deserves a chance just like everybody on this earth to have a productive, happy life. If I can prevent any complications in her life when she gets older, this is one of them.

Like I posted before, "The Time is Now", to take care of this while she is still very young and her bones are soft still. I don't want her to have a limp or be called names, if it is preventable as well as curable. It's in my hands to be strong for her, because she depends on me as being just that, to be STRONG.

I had to follow up with the Orthopedic by making an appointment to get the procedure done on December 17th, which is like 3 1/2 weeks ahead. I know she would be okay, but I would just love if everyone put her in their prayers and hearts. I just want her to feel safe and to come out of this surgery better than before. Make sure you always check to make sure that this hip test is done, just for routine, if you have children, because it can be overlooked. The older they get the more difficult the treatment can become. May God Bless you all.

More information on Congenital Dislocation and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip and treatment options, go to:

Monday, November 23, 2009

What A SCARE!

Sometimes things happen when you least expect them to. My beautiful baby received her 6 month old shots and regular check up a week ago from today, which was last Monday. Since she was of age, I was recommended for her to also receive the regular flu shot as well as the H1N1 vaccine. I am skeptical of the H1N1 vaccine for a baby as young as her, because it wasn't proven to not cause any side effects yet from it still being in the trial stages, currently. I am very nervous to give her that vaccine, so I let her get the regular flu shot vaccine, which I give to my other 2 children every year as well. I feel that the testing stages for that vaccine isn't over and she is already going through enough complications with her Club Feet and I don't want her to go through any more additional problems. Don't get me wrong, I respect those people out there who agree to give their children the H1N1 vaccine, it's just not for me right now. That's a whole other subject of posting.

When the evening came about, me and my husband was having a conversation about things. All of a sudden, my husband says the baby feels hot. He was holding her, like always (SMILE) :}. I really didn't take it too seriously, as yet, because my husband tends to find anything and everything that is microscopic to the eye on our children. If it's a tiny speck of whatever and not naked to the eye, he will spot it on them. I won't see it, but he will. Her being so young, at 6 months old, I double checked and took her temperature anyhow, and it was 103 degrees. I couldn't believe what I saw, because all of a sudden this happened. I thought the thermometer was broken or something. I took out another thermometer that I never used and took her temperature for a second time, and it turned out to be the same.

With no second thought, I got me and the baby dressed very quickly and drove to the Emergency Room. I learned while having two other children that if the temperature reaches 100 degree and over, take them to the Emergency room, no matter what. I couldn't get there fast enough, but at the same time I had to concentrate on getting there safely. Even though it was only 25 minutes away it felt like forever, I wanted to know what was wrong with my baby, because she was perfectly fine earlier.

My first baby, who is my son, which is 11 years old now, was in a similar situation when he was 10 months old and he had a 104 temperature. I wanted to rush him to the Emergency Room, and his grandmother told me not to take him, because according to her, he would be okay and it was just a cold virus or something. Me knowing her and all, I know she didn't attend Medical School and graduated to become a Doctor. I knew something was seriously wrong with him, because he seemed lethargic, and his eyes were looking droopy. Utilizing my common sense, I took him anyway, and Thank God I did, because a little bit of pneumonia was starting in his lungs. The doctors took a chest x-ray and caught it, and he had to start antibiotics right away. If I would have listened to my son's grandmother, and not have taken him, who knows what the outcome would have been. She is even a mother, and it's surprising that she would give another mother such thoughtless advice.

Usually the Emergency Room would be packed or have a moderate amount of patients there, WAITING. It was, literally, empty, to my amazement, not kidding. You would expect, usually, to stay and wait in the Emergency Room for hours and hours before being seen by the Triage nurse. I wanted it to be an in and out situation, not just sitting there waiting with a baby being so young. Having a temperature so high, the doctors would want to see her as soon as possible anyway. It was already after 11pm when I got there.
With all of that stress and worry, wanting to know what was wrong with her, she turned out to be okay,

Thank God. With a fever of 103 degrees, it's expected to be an infection in the body somewhere, and the immune system is fighting off the intruder, is what I was informed loooong ago. In my baby's case, it was just the effects that occur sometimes after receiving immunization shots. That didn't really come to my mind until the nurse mentioned that to me in the Emergency Room. My other two children didn't have any effects after receiving there immunization shots, so I expected the same for my baby. Every child is different in every aspect of situations, though.

The doctor informed me that it wouldn't be normal if the fever lasted for more than 2 days or so. That's when you know it could be something more than just a fever from immunizations, more like an infection. In addition, as soon as one of the nurses gave my baby the fever reducer, anally, her fever went down real quickly. I wasn't aware that, depending on the age of the baby, they can receive medication anally. Even though I have two other children, I learn something new everyday, even though I am a parent for the third time.

Her fever going down as quickly as it did, was an indication that it wasn't anything serious to worry about, from the doctors advice. You're never too old to learn. I feel so Blessed to have her, and that she turned out okay.

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Opinions About My Blog

I have to say Thank You to you all out there that took the time to vote about my new Blog. To give your opinions about the new Layout/Design; If I need to add more content/pics; If I am sticking to the objective or is my Blog just fine the way it's rolling now?

Even though the poll closed on the blog, I am still open for comments or suggestions, because I am still learning. In order for me to know that or if I am reaching others with my precious baby's story, is to receive constructive criticism from others who have experience. I learn as I go, thanks again and God Bless you all.

LAYOUT/DESIGN

The lady that designs these Templates, and more Designs for your website/blogs her name is Heather. I browsed, thoroughly through her website Butter Fly Girl ms Blog Designs, and she has some beautiful designs to choose from.

I was searching the sites for a new Theme Template for my Blog. Something that will have the relevancy or the feel of my topic. The template that I have now is from:

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Special Stories

This personal story of this little girl touched my heart. She doesn't have to go through a lifetime of not being able to walk. By having simple, easy treatment, she can be cured. She is in a country that doesn't provide the necessary treatment. We can help.

ON A HAPPIER NOTE!

I Stumbled upon this video. It's a great, candid example of what my 6 month old daughter is going through. Isn't it so adorable? It just shows hope and happiness at the same time, while going through these tough times.

For more touching stories about babies with club feet that were healed with treatment click on:

I am six months of age, right now, and was born in New Rochelle, NY. I was born with Club Feet, which by the way, was no fault of my own.

My mother chose to write about me, to maybe help and inspire others out there with my fixable birth defect, that they are not alone. Club Feet is very common, in fact, according to Mayo Clinic, it's usually an isolated problem on an otherwise normal, healthy newborn. It can be mild or it can be severe. I have the mild case where my feet wasn't turned in completely. It was turned in at a 90 degree angle. It's cases where it will be turned in at a 180 degree angle. It can also effect both feet or just one foot. My mother had just one Club Foot, which was her left foot, and, she received treatment for it by wearing a brace to.

I love to just be in my mother's arms all day loooong as much as I can. Of course, I love to eat my cereal, and drink my milk and juice. My big brother and sister plays with me a whole lot of the time and I enjoy their company, because they make me laugh and do silly things. I never feel alone, because these people love me and support me.

That's why I know that I am going to be okay. My mother takes me back and fourth to the doctors and these people touch and move my feet around. I feel much better when I leave those people place and come back home to play with my brother and sister.

I also love to eat my hands, because I feel this itching on my gums. I don't know what it is. Think my mother told me its its because I am starting to grow some teeth out of my gums. All I know that I have to try to put things in my mouth to chew on it. It makes my gums feel good.

Anyway, enjoy the good reads about me and my birth defect and how I overcame it with the support of my beautiful parents and siblings. I want you to know that God is watching all over all of yous and to hold on to the FAITH.

If you want to know more information about Club Feet and Treatment options, click on:

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Recent Pics of my Angel

Here is a recent picture of my Pride and Joy when she was like 4 months old. As you can see here, she is wearing one cast. It was on both of her legs at first, but the right cast fell off when we got home.

Here is the scenario, I just brought her back home from the orthopedic. It wasn't even a couple of hours, let alone an hour, and the cast fell off. This was like the third time this happened in the span of a month and a half, and mind you, I had two take her every two weeks for a re-casting.

Can you imagine, during that time, when I had to go back and forth to the Children's Emergency Room with her to put on a new cast? It wasn't easy, but it had to be done. Her regular Orthopedic is only available at certain times. These crazy times kept happening at the wrong time, unexpectedly. Only to her right leg. Me and my husband thought it was a sign from her letting us know that she doesn't want this "thing" on her leg, that weighs a ton. They were heavy.

It seemed like she didn't like the casting, in the beginning. She became used to it after a while. I really didn't like to see her go through any pain. She is so small and precious, I just wanted to feel the pain for her. It's better to do it now than later anyway.

This is her Dobbs Bar brace she had to start wearing from 4 months old. At first she was crying, but she became used to them after a while, because it has to stay on her feet for 23 hours a day, everyday until 6 months old. On going, it will only be placed on her feet during naps and in the evening when its bed time.

The Orthopedics instructions about leaving the Dobbs Bar brace on for 23 hours a day, was grueling in the beginning for me. I wanted, oh so bad to take that restriction feeling away from her. She is such a happy baby that loves to play, and I felt that it would make her feel a certain way, and not fully, HAPPY, like I enjoy her to be.

You know what? It wasn't about me. It was about her being able to walk when she is supposed to like we want. I had to moderate my thoughts and be more stronger than I was thinking at that moment for her benefit. The earlier you get treatment, the better is the outcome. Nothing is easy that is worth something, and she is worth more than our words can explain.

More information on the Dobbs Bar can be found at these two websites: http://www.dobbsbrace.com/, where you can see a video as well, literally on a baby.

This is another website with a news article, talking about the Dobbs Bar: http://www.oandp.com/articles/news_2008-02-27_12.asp.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Feedback and Love

I have to say that I am so positively shocked and inspired by the great feedback from the responses to my blog. I am new to the blogging world like I told some people from my responses, and I am still learning everyday as I go along. I look at other blogs on myriad of topics and their posts, and I become even more inspired to continue writing my blog.

I started blogging like maybe a year ago, but I recently started to really get into it and be consistent with it lately. It's just all of the candid and wonderful, inspiring responses I received and continue to receive, being so new is just great, and I am so grateful for you all that responded to my blog and took the time to give my the feedback of love and support.

Being that I am talking about my My MIRACLE BABY born with Club Feet, I am sure that I can maybe help and inspire others to let them know that you are not a lone in this situation. This is a common ailment that happens to a lot of children. I will be talking and posting about the Deformity on upcoming posts. In addition, giving more information and resources about Club Feet that will also help others gain more knowledge about it, as well as me talking about it from my own experiences.

Once again, Thank you for all the inspiring comments that only keeps me going!

May God continue to Bless you all.

HERE ARE A FEW BLOGS THAT I AM INSPIRED BY AND STARTED TO FOLLOW MYSELF:

Sunday, November 15, 2009

New Earrings

I took my baby girl, on Friday, to get her ears pierced. I was supposed to have done it since when she was 3 months old, but somethings always occurred and stalled me from going to take her. I only have a few hours in the day to accomplish some errands before my husband goes to work. I always had to take care of other duties for my other 2 children, so I would just put it off for another day. I am glad that i finally did it and she looks even prettier than she did already. Just an enhancement for her. Seems like my adorable bundle of joy is Growing up so fast on me, (Laughter).

http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=2583721

I was waiting, not too long, in the doctors office waiting area, until the nurse called me. I just wanted to get her ears pierced, not any physical check-up or anything. I expected for it to be an in and out situation, but it wasn't. When I walked into the doctor's office, he forgot the ear piercing gun to do the job. GREAT! Nice thinking doc, were my thoughts. I had to wait an extra half an hour for him to go back home to get the equipment and come back. I felt it was all worth it. I don't believe in going just anywhere that says: "EAR PIERCING" to take your children to get their ears pierced just because it's cheaper. I think about the long-term, not the short-term. It was well worth the $40.00 it cost to do the ear piercing, even though when I took my 3 year old it was $25.00. The doctor informed me the price went up, because the manufacture equipment went up. So you have to meet in the middle somewhere, right?

My baby's physician recommended me to wait until she was 3 months old, the earliest to get her ears pierced because of infections that she can acquire from getting the procedure done without her first set of immunizations, which makes a lot of sense to me. I think that my baby is going through enough, and went through enough, in her little life having Clubfeet to add on more problems that can be easily prevented. Better safe, than sorry, for sure.

My 3 year old daughter, Adonise, got her ears pierced ever since she was 3 months old. It was easier for me to get more things done at that time, plus I had more time to spare. Now that my baby has Clubfeet, I have to take her back and fourth to the Orthopedics and the Orthotist for her special shoes called the (Dobbs Bar). That takes up a lot of my time, because of the random appointments at times.

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Milestones

Screaming for Attention

I have to say that everyday my baby does something different, new and exciting. If it's not anything new, believe me it is not far away from manifesting. That's just how babies are, they perform things new all of the time. Either to get your attention, or just to do it because they are getting older and more milestones are starting to show up.

Yesterday, all of a sudden, she started doing this screaming performance, playfully, to gain more attention then what she is already receiving anyway. It's obviously because of her Clubfeet that she gets more attention. Me and my husband try so hard not to spoil her, but to no avail, because she is so precious and such a blessing to our family. You only enjoy this time once. It goes away quickly, because they grow up so fast in many ways. One day she is not going to want to be held, because that's how babies get.

She doesn't scream from crying or anything, she does it for attention. Like when some performers do silly things to gain attention. My baby does it to get even more attention, even though she gets most of the attention anyway, because she is the baby in the family. For the majority of the day yesterday, she decided to scream when I put her to sit down in her bouncer while I was washing dishes and cooking dinner. I would then turn around to look at her and then she would give me this broad laugh from ear to ear, telling me "Yea, I got you" sort of a smile.

I am a stay at home mother at this time, so I am taking care of my two youngest children at home while my husband is at work for the majority of the day. He doesn't come home until like 9/10:00 pm at night, so I be so exhausted when he finally comes home to take over. I hardly get any REAL rest for myself. It's like a mother's instinct to make sure your children are safe and comfortable, so you wouldn't have to be worrying or anything. Even though my husband takes over when he comes home from work, I still feel like I have to do something, anything for my kids. I just want them to be as comfortable as comfortable can get, you know what I mean? It's only natural, but I don't take it overboard or anything like that.

During the day I try to get a lot of things done with the kids here, otherwise I won't get anything done holding my baby in my arms all day. She prefers me to hold her all day, even when she takes her naps. Every time I put her down for a nap, expect her to wake up crying very soon, because she is used to being held, even when she is asleep. I try to put her down soon as she falls asleep to sort of teach her to fall asleep on her own. Sometimes it works, and other times she just wants to be held. My husband just holds her for the majority of the time because he doesn't like to hear her crying at all. I am going to admit, I do it to, sometimes.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Very Inspiring On Every Level

One of the best entertainers ever lived, this is for him

Unvogue Jade Issue from UNVOGUE on Vimeo.

I loved Micheal Jackson because of his big heart and giving nature. I don't think that because he was famous, he did the things he did for people, especially children. It was just a part of his natural personality. It made him feel good to give back, because he felt he was missing a lot from his childhood, being famous all of his life.

I just had to talk about him a little because, their are a lot of people in this world, in this day and age even, that has no sympathy for others that are physically afflicted, or even mentally afflicted by no fault of their own. It troubles me sometimes when I take my baby outside with her Clubfeet, that people stare and maybe make comments about her Clubfeet. It bothers me, because it's no fault of her own why she was born with Clubfeet and she hasn't a clue of whats going on in peoples minds or their ignorant actions.

It's up to me to protect her from ~~"this cruel world"~~. Let me rephrase that, "the cruel people in this world" from her. I would just cover her legs with a blanket in the meantime to avoid all of the ignorance. I am not embarrassed of my baby at all, because I am knowledgeable about Clubfeet, because I was born with it, and it was taken care of sine birth, so the same it will be for her. When I take her to the Orthopedics or the Orthotist for her shoes, those are the only times I feel okay to uncover or not to cover. Majority of the time, for 23 hours a day she has her shoes on.

Micheal Jackson wasn't a judge of character, race, creed, origin, etc.... It didn't matter where you came from or who you were, he had open arms. He just wanted to see a smile on your face, because it made him smile twice over. There will only be one Micheal Jackson, I will miss him in this world and his music, and he shall live on in my hearts and from his music he will live on for generations to come and I am sure a lot of others out there feel the same. RIP.

More PICS and Postings

I am getting the hang of my blogging hobby. I know that my blog, about my baby's Clubfeet needs more content, and I am currently working on gathering up pictures and more dialogue, so please bare with me. I do appreciate the feedback that I have gotten so far.

I will, however continue to post about raising my miracle baby with Clubfeet. Me and my husband continue to learn about Clubfeet everyday, and learn from others experiences, because this is rather common, because I had it being born, but from my day they modernized the treatment, which is more effective nowadays.

This is me and MY MIRACLE in the hospital. She was only several hours old in the picture, but her casting for her feet wasn't performed until the following day.

I was just staring at her, because I was glad to see that she was healthy and the Clubfeet was the only hurdle to cross. This is a short-term situation that will be fixed, so me and my husband were at peace at that moment, up until the present.

Me and my husband didn't expect her to be that small weighing 5lbs 12oz. I did have Gestational Diabetes during my pregnancy. Usually when a baby is born from a mother in that situation, they come out bigger than usual. Obviously our experience was the total opposite. You learn something new everyday, that's if your receptive to your surroundings. We learned during this pregnancy that the baby can come out smaller than usual as well to our surprise.

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Miracle Child Born with Club Feet