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2009-03-31

A Boy with Straight Feet

A Boy with Straight Feet
Image by lepiaf.geo


Some of you already know that we're expecting our third baby. We have a four year old (Caden) and an almost two year old (Levi). Two delightful little boys. What I don't believe I've shared here before is that both of my sons were born with sweet little crooked feet. Otherwise known as club feet.

I first learned that Caden had club feet at my 20 week anatomy scan. At the time, it was a frightening and saddening experience. I was afraid that I would be repulsed at the sight of my baby (a ridiculous fear in hindsight). I was afraid that there was something else wrong. I was overwhelmed with trying to figure out the best treatment method for his feet.

But we walked through it. Or, the Lord walked us through it. It was trying at times. Weekly casting appointments two and a half hours away (that took much, much longer when we added in the needs of a newborn), minor surgery (a simple tenotomy), and dealing with casts and braces.

It got to the point, however, that all these things were just no big deal. He was still my sweet baby, and we just had a few curves thrown our way. It came to feel like our normal.

Then came baby number two. And 20 week anatomy scan number two. And club feet diagnosis number two. Another boy. Two more sweet crooked feet.

We were sad that we would have to go through the process again--and sad that this new little guy would have to go through the process himself. But we had learned that club feet is really no big deal. When treated by an doctor experienced in using the Ponseti method (and parents who are dedicated to the bracing regimen), a club foot patient has a 95% chance (or better) of avoiding major surgery and having perfectly functional feet for the rest of their life.

In fact, this time around our son was treated by Dr. Ignacio V. Ponseti himself. The (at the time) 93 year old "Master" who developed the method! But that's a story for another time.

In short, we're club feet veterans. We know the Ponseti method backwards and forwards. We realize that it's just no big deal. We're thankful to see our little guys running and playing just like every other kid.

So, when we found out we were expecting baby number three, we wondered. Really, I think we were pretty much expecting to do the club feet thing all over again. The trips, the casts, the sponge baths, the tenotomy, the questions, the strange looks, the weird brace.

Anatomy scan number three. It's a BOY! Three boys. Wow. It's gonna be crazy here.

"And his feet," we ask the sonographer, "does he have club feet, too?"

Nope.

WHAT?!

She shows us the picture. Feet straight as arrows. Not sweet little curved feet like we'd seen before. Feet as straight as an architect's ruler.

Wow.

WOW!!

Now, it's not that feet that are straight are better than feet that are crooked. Not at all. But you know what this means?
  • A more restful postpartum period. No traveling.
  • No worries about my sweet little guy being put to sleep.
  • No casts.
  • Bathing a newborn in those little bathtubs!
  • Socks! Sweet little newborn socks!
  • Shoes--you better believe I'm gettin' him some cute little soft shoes to wear from the get-go. Just cuz I can!
  • Cuddling him without the hardness of a cast or brace between us.
  • Babywearing, baby! (Do-able, but tricky with casts and braces.)
  • Seeing sweet little straight baby feet. Just bare little toes with nothing on 'em.
Hallelujah! What a gift! Join me in rejoicing over straight feet!

For more thankful thoughts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Gratituesday

11 comments:

Danielle said...

Rejoicing with you!

Val, Brax and Harper said...

my little (now 18 yrs old) was born with one club foot. they had him wear a cast for like 6 months, but no brace. i remember wrapping his leg in wal-mart sacks to bathe him! and now he is a handsome genious, and the club foot is a distant memory... i am happy you don't have to go thru all the difficult technicalities again! congrats on little man #3.

Val, Brax and Harper said...

i meant for that to say my little brother.....

Unknown said...

Hi Brianna. I'm not sure how I got here, but here I am! :) I loved the feet picture and read your blog about your boys. Let me just say, I can relate to what you say. I've had 9 babies and 3 of them had problems. So, every time I had a sonogram and they said everything looked okay I rejoiced. Like you said it wasn't because I considered my sick babies any less of a blessing than my healthy babies...it was because it meant less stress, less effort on my part. It was just just a time to relax and enjoy the ride.

Well, I just thought I'd say hello. It's nice to meet you.

Have a lovely day with your family.
Lynnette
Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground

Brianna said...

Thank you all for your good wishes!

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said...

I know that babies arrive to us just how God wants them delivered but having never experienced things like a club foot, I can't possibly imagine it. Reading about it...it sounds like a very stretching experience!

I am so happy for you and your family. When is this new little bundle supposed to arrive???

Brianna said...

Jenn, little man number three is expected in July! Any time in that month, really, so 3-4 months from now.

Talya said...

OK, I find it funny that this was your post today. I just bought you (well, your baby) some adorable socks yesterday. So you can add them to your collection!

Val, Brax and Harper said...

let me know how the dentist appointments go!!!!! good luck!!!!!!!

Brianna said...

@Talya: Oooh, you bought me (him) some socks?! Can't wait to see them!

@Val: I definitely will--they aren't till the 16th, though.

Tracy said...

That's so awesome! How wonderful for you...one less thing to have to deal with! Enjoy.

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