Sunday, June 12, 2011

Getting Pushy

I know, some of you are thinking, you're pretty pushy already.

However, having a child with special needs means sometimes you have to get pushy. 

It means you have to decide what you think is best for you child.

It means you have to listen to all the "experts" and form an opinion.

It means you sometimes have to demand (nicely of course:) that which you feel is best for you child.

It means you wrestle with whether to get pushy or not. 

This week we are researching, discussing and praying about whether it is time to get pushy. 

It is not always easy to know what to do.

The whole process is very emotional and therefore exhausting for me. 

On Wednesday we will take Melody to spina bifida clinic. 

We will see several doctors, but especially her Orthopaedic doctor.

We will hear what he has to say after reviewing Melody's x-rays. 

We will see whether he is willing to sign the prescription for RGO braces for Melody. 

Then, if he is not willing, we will have to decide whether to get pushy.

At this point, I really believe the braces are what Melody needs.

Melody's physical therapist and orthotist (the brace maker) feel this is what she needs.   

I want to be open to more information the doctor may have that might change our minds. 

We want to ask good questions and make a good decision. 

If you think of us in the next few days, pray that we would have the wisdom whether to get pushy or not. 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Melody News

Just a quick update on Melody.  Today she had x-rays of her left hip.  She saw the Orthologist a few weeks ago and he is concerned that a muscle is too tight and is not allowing her left leg to align with her body properly.  This is an issue as I believe she needs a brace to help her stand, as does her Physical Therapist and Orthotist.  Putting Melody in a brace without solving the muscle issue, could result in damage to her back as when you put her leg in line with her other leg, it tweaks her pelvis out to the side.  At least that is the theory.

Sitting Pretty in her Favorite Chair
Melody's next Spina Bifida Clinic is on June 15th, and we'll see the orthotist again then and hear his thoughts after viewing Melody's x-rays.  I am really praying she doesn't need surgery, but we will go that route if it is what is best for her.  Pray for wisdom for the doctor and us.  We think that her hip is also out of the socket again as one leg is now longer than the other, which wasn't true a few months ago.  We will find out from the x-rays, but I doubt there is anything that can really be done for that.  It may just be something she lives with.   
We call her Destructo.  This is a pretty typical scene these days.