Hi to everyone and welcome to all the new babies! I have been absent since Meadow's birth, dealing with all the new baby goodness. In addition to the normal craziness, Meadow has a variety of health issues that have kept us busy. Of her 18 days on earth, there have only been 4 days without doctor's visits or trips to the hospital. It's been very trying, and I was pretty much a mess for a few days, but it is all starting to come together and most of my hormonal craziness is gone.
Meadow has club feet and hip dysplasia, which are fairly common conditions, and readily treatable. Apparently, club feet run in my husband's family. The treatment consists of fiberglass casts on both legs to train the feet in the correct direction. She is now wearing little casts that cover her legs from thighs to toes. She'll wear them for a few months, we're not sure how long yet, and then probably wear some special shoes for a while. The good news is she'll be able to walk, and hopefully avoid surgery. While I miss being able to see and kiss her tiny feet and toes, I'm happy that the treatment is simple.
For the hip dysplasia, she has to wear a body harness that keeps her hips in their sockets while she's growing. Hopefully she'll only have to wear this for a couple of months. It was hard at first to see her in casts and a body harness, but I think I'm used to it now.
So far the most trying condition she has to face is infant glaucoma. Her eyes are severely deformed, and we've been all over the state seeing different specialists. We have found a clinic in Miami that specializes in pediatric eye issues, and spent last week there for observation. They examined Meadow under anesthesia, and apparently her case is pretty unique. The doctor said she has only seen 4 other cases this severe.
We are headed back to Miami this week for surgery. She will have to have many surgeries on her eyes to correct the damage; without surgery she will be blind. There is no easy treatment for this, and they can't tell us yet how it will go. The doctor says she's optimistic, so we keep hope.
These last 2 weeks have turned my life upside down. I never imagined our litle girl would have so many challenges to overcome, and I never in a million years imagined she would need eye surgery at less than 3 weeks old. I know some of you mamas have been through challenging situations like this, and you are my inspiration. We are taking it one day at a time, and loving this little girl like crazy!
Thanks for reading if you got this far! I will try to keep you updated, and post pictures when I figure out how.
Meadow has club feet and hip dysplasia, which are fairly common conditions, and readily treatable. Apparently, club feet run in my husband's family. The treatment consists of fiberglass casts on both legs to train the feet in the correct direction. She is now wearing little casts that cover her legs from thighs to toes. She'll wear them for a few months, we're not sure how long yet, and then probably wear some special shoes for a while. The good news is she'll be able to walk, and hopefully avoid surgery. While I miss being able to see and kiss her tiny feet and toes, I'm happy that the treatment is simple.
For the hip dysplasia, she has to wear a body harness that keeps her hips in their sockets while she's growing. Hopefully she'll only have to wear this for a couple of months. It was hard at first to see her in casts and a body harness, but I think I'm used to it now.
So far the most trying condition she has to face is infant glaucoma. Her eyes are severely deformed, and we've been all over the state seeing different specialists. We have found a clinic in Miami that specializes in pediatric eye issues, and spent last week there for observation. They examined Meadow under anesthesia, and apparently her case is pretty unique. The doctor said she has only seen 4 other cases this severe.
We are headed back to Miami this week for surgery. She will have to have many surgeries on her eyes to correct the damage; without surgery she will be blind. There is no easy treatment for this, and they can't tell us yet how it will go. The doctor says she's optimistic, so we keep hope.
These last 2 weeks have turned my life upside down. I never imagined our litle girl would have so many challenges to overcome, and I never in a million years imagined she would need eye surgery at less than 3 weeks old. I know some of you mamas have been through challenging situations like this, and you are my inspiration. We are taking it one day at a time, and loving this little girl like crazy!
Thanks for reading if you got this far! I will try to keep you updated, and post pictures when I figure out how.
You are the inspiration mama. I will keep you and your little sweet Meadow in my thoughts and prayers.
: for a full and quick recovery from her eye surgery, and hoping you can squeeze and kiss those cute little toes soon!!
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: The doctor is really pleased with the way her feet are responding to the casting, and her hips are looking good. We still don't have a prognosis, but hopefully she'll only need casts for a few months and can avoid surgery.
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