AAaaaHHhhhhh!

The last few weeks I have been so happy that things are going so well for Ava. Such an amazing feeling knowing so far her two hip surgeries have been successful. Everyday her walking, running, jumping and overall movement improves. I am so so proud of her and find it hard to believe that it was a year ago that I received the call saying Ava has hip dysplasia and we needed to find an orthopedic doctor immediately. Just thinking about it brings back so many emotions. So here we are a year later and  8 months since her first surgery and almost on the other side of it. Now that Ava is doing so well it is time to revisit her growth issues and do a follow up with her GI doctor and Endocrinologist. Ironically if it wasn't for the growth issue who knows how long her dislocation would have went undiagnosed.

This past Monday Ava had her follow up visit with both doctors. We went to the appointment with high hopes and feeling really good about her recent growth. Well my bubble was burst and it has taken me two days to write about it because I'm not really sure how I feel. We saw Dr. T (GI) first and was happy to hear Ava had no weight loss while she was in her cast but not thrilled she has not gained any since. (She is the same weight as before surgery.) She put her back on the appetite stimulant and now we wait and see. We have another check up in 3 months. I find it so frustrating! Ava is definitely eating better and more then she did in the past. (Don't get me wrong she has off days but her intake is more.) On to Dr. B (Endo). He was happy to see she had grown but unfortunately it was not enough. She is barely on the chart for height and zero percentile for weight. Really?!?! Thankfully we do not have to take her for more blood work but we will return in 6 months to check her progress. If Ava's growth pattern does not change over the next year he wants to discuss the possibly of giving her growth hormones to help her grow. Not the news I was hoping for!

I am so sad. I had high hopes that Ava's numerous doctors visits were going to come to an end but I guess that is not going to happen anytime soon. Yes Ava is tiny and slim and I have no doubt she will be petite her whole life but it is my understanding (from past visits) it's not Ava's size that's really the concern (lets face it she's not exactly from a family of giants,) it's the inconsistency of her growth pattern. At a young age Ava dropped off the charts and her progress does not have a smooth consistent curve like other children. I'm not really sure how I feel about growth hormone therapy or if we'll even do it. I guess we'll cross that bridge when it comes.

In the mean time (besides worrying about her growth) Ava's next surgery is scheduled for April 2 to remove her plates and pins. I so dread putting her under anesthesia once again but thankfully this is only an hour procedure, piece of cake compared to what she has already undergone. After her healing of both incisions Ava will continue with physical therapy to regain her flexibility. (I can't wait to see her sit 'criss cross applesauce' again!)  I can hardly believe tomorrow I will register her for Kindergarten! It's a bittersweet feeling, my baby is growing up and my constant companion will be at school full time, how time flies! Please continue praying for our little butterfly!! (May her hips continue to heal perfectly and there be a major growth spurt before September!)