Support needed.

Marji - posted on 01/04/2011

My son turned 2 yesterday and he had casts on from 2 weeks to 9 months and 2 heel cord surgeries, physical therapy, the shoes with the bar and the fiberglass shoes. He got all of his casts off himself within a couple of days and the drive to the Pediatric ortho was an hour a half away. We had to get his cast changed every week. My husband and I were exhausted and i'm surprized we got throught it. But we worked hard to work together and take turns. Our son cried all day and most of the nights with those casts on. We didnt make him sleep in the shoes bc he wouldnt sleep no matter what unless we took them off, he liked to tuck his knees under his belly to sleep. he still does it to this day. The first time he got his heel cord surgery they did it with just a local anesthesia and we had to help hold him down. I cried the whole time. The 2nd time they put him to sleep first but when we went in to get him i cried again because he was hooked up to all that stuff and he was starving because he had to fast before the surgery. Then the nurses gave him two bottles of straight apple juice. Needless to say he had massive diarrhea on the way home that leaked all over his carseat and i took him into a McDonalds bathroom to change him and they had no liner in the garbage can. ( I feel sorry for whoever had to clean the bathroom that night). We've been through alot and its paid off. They said he may need one more surgery in a couple of years, but he's great for now, he runs like the wind. I love my little Grant forever :-)

Autumn - posted on 10/17/2010

My son is 9 months old. He was born bilaterally clubfooted. I have had people make some really rude remarks while my son was in his casts. You just have to remember it is just ignorance, people don't deal with what they can't understand. My son hates the shoes and bar, but I just keep telling myself that it is for his best interest to keep them on. You are going to have some really hard days and nights ahead of you, but just remember that you can get through it and it is not perminant. Before long we will all be watching our kids playing games, sports, and so much more like none of this had ever happened and it will all be worth the sleepless nights.

Heather - posted on 10/17/2010

thanks so much. i feel better :]

Kelly - posted on 10/13/2010

Hi- I have to tell you I have been there. I have a 22 month old with a left club foot. He had the heel cord surgery at 9 months, and then when we got him into the shoes, he absolutely would not keep them on. The doc's best advice at the time was to duct tape them to his feet, which I was not going to do. Getting casted was a nightmare, every time he would scream the whole time they were putting it on, an wiggle so much that it would crack sometimes and then they would have to start all over again. I asked the doctor for a prescription for tylenol with codeine for night time, so he would sleep at night. No shame in everyone needing sleep. just explain to your doctor how your son is responding to the casting, and it seems to be causing more than typical levels of discomfort. We tried the ponseti method, but with Ryan being so resistant to the db bar and shoes we had to go with surgery for correction followed by an AFO (ankle foot orthotic) for a year 23 hours a day. He had the surgery day before yesterday, the doc was pleased with how it went, and we are hopeful that this will fix the problem. You need someone who can give you a break once in a while to help keep your sanity. Just a couple of hours away by yourself will make all the difference. Be honest with your son's Orthopedist, tell him/her what you have been experiencing and some suggestions of what to do. And remember this is YOUR child. You will make the best decisions for him, because you know him best. If your current doc isn't doing it for you, get a second opinion. We changed insurances so we would be able to see the ortho we wanted for our son. And anyone who wants to criticize your decisions with regard to care has no business in doing so. Only you know what you are going through, they don't. I would also recommend you get treatment for your post pardom. My sister had post pardom with all three of her kids, and took Xanex for a short time after they were born. It helped her to keep sane and function everyday. Not that you still won't have what I call mommy-meltdowns, but you will have a higher stress tolerance. As far as people asking about the casts, don't assume everyone is thinking the worst. When people ask what happened just do what I used to do, just simply told them he has a club foot and this is part of the treatment. Most people didn't really know what it was and I gave them a quick description. You can't control what others think, so you have to just let it go. It helps to talk to people who understand what you are going through. I hope I have helped some, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so just hang in there. :)