I am a special needs mother: Rhet’s clubfoot
I have survived PTSD, PPD, a traumatic birth experience, and I am also a special needs mother. My son was diagnosed with clubfoot at 26 weeks gestation. The uncaring, money hungry doctors wanted to perform surgeries on my little baby. They wanted to reconstruct his foot starting at birth. They also said if I didn’t like that option I could abort him, but I had until 28 weeks to let them know. How could this be normal? Thank goodness for google!
Matthew Dobbs a terrific doctor in St Louis Missouri who was located just 4 hours from us was a god send. Dr. Dobbs and I exchanged emails and he let me know of Ponseti method. It’s a series of casts, a tenotomy, and wearing braces until the age of 4. It was a 4 hour trip which can be done in 6 with stops. That sounds so easy right?
May 27, 2014 we began our journey to St Louis with our 9 day old baby boy. We planned on a few stops for breastfeeding, diaper changes, and for us to eat and stretch. After about the 10th stop, we both felt so defeated. How could a 4 hour drive be taking us almost 10 hours to achieve? A newborn baby who was brought into this world so traumatically, was not prepared to sit in a car seat all day. Finally we made it our hotel. That was the easiest part.
We get to our room and start unloading, when it dawned on me we had NO diapers. We went through 50 diapers in 10 hours. We couldn’t jump in our truck because of parking, so we decide to get the stroller and walk. After 3 miles my mom, baby, and myself, had to take a break. Remind you I just had an emergency csection 9 days ago. After another 6 miles we finally had diapers again thanks to my husband.
First appointment was on May 28, 2014 were we would consult with Dr. Dobbs and make sure he was the right doctor. Like I said previously he was a god send. He has such devotion to each child he sees. Dr. Dobbs explained it very well to us that Rhet would receive 5 to 7 casts, a tentomy with a 3 week cast, and a braces called boots and a bar. The boots and bar help keep the foot corrected. After 4 years the percent of relapse happening is 6.
We agreed to the treatment and away we went to the casting room. It was quick and painless. Our now 10 day old baby had a cast on. Our next appointments were as following:
• June 1st & 2 cast 2
• June 9 & 10 cast 3
• June 17 & 18 cast 4
• June 24 & 25 cast 5 and tentomy
• July 15 & 16 Boots and bar received
• Aug 12 & 13 checkup
• Dec 21 & 22 checkup
• March 29 & 30 2015 checkup we flew by plane from Houston Texas to St Louis
• October 14 & 15 checkup
We are now in his braces for 12 hours a night until he turns 4. We will then drive for hopefully that last time. We are so ready to hear the words congratulations you made it, and Rhet no longer needs to wear the braces.
We have had many nights of crying and frustration. Our baby has no idea why he has to go through such a hard time. Many times we hear screaming about wanting his braces off. We sadly cant or we risk relapse happening. The finish line is almost in sight.
To read my first blog about Rhet's clubfoot click the following link!
https://steemit.com/life/@binkgirl/clubfoot-rhet-s-journey