Our Incredible Girl

It has been three weeks since Ava was released for all activity and she is doing fabulous! She heard the words "you can do anything you want" and full speed ahead she went. There is not a worry in her mind! (I'm still a nervous wreck but with each week it is getting better.) One of the first things Ava wanted to do was go to the park, out of everything climbing is what she missed most. Up the rock wall she went and the smile she had at the top said it all... my girl is back! Over Memorial weekend our family went to a picnic with a ton off kids. I watched her with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face take off with her friends. She was finally being a 5 year old with out a care in the world. To see her run is amazing, you can't tell at all that she had surgery. She has worked so hard to come this far. This mama is so proud!! 

This past Wednesday Ava returned to her GI doctor for her 3 month growth check up. I was on pins and needles to see how much she grew, we knew there was growth but was it enough? Is she finally getting healthy? I couldn't wait. The moment of truth... Ava had gained 2.3 lbs, grew a 1/2 inch and her BMI went from 3% to 10%. Yeah! Ava was finally in a healthy range! She's still small but she's growing!!! We took her off the appetite stimulant to see if she can eat enough on her own and continue to grow. We will return to her GI and Endocrinologist in August for another check up, hopefully this pattern will continue. I have to say life is good! Ava is healthier and stronger then ever! I watch her in awe every day and can hardly believe in 11 months my girl has become a different person. There is nothing better then hearing constant laughter and seeing that beautiful toothless smile. She is still stubborn, strong willed and challenging at times but I wouldn't change her for the world, those are the qualities that got her through this last year. Who knows what the future may hold for Ava but right now we are celebrating her healthy hips!! 

Free To Be 5!!!

A little over a year ago Ava was diagnosed with bilateral hip dislocation. I will never forget the heartbreak I felt the day we were told she would have to undergo not one but two major surgeries and spend weeks in a spica cast. The months leading up to the first surgery I was a mess. If I talked about it or people asked about what she would have to endure I cried. I think I cried every day leading up to the surgery anticipating what was ahead. I could not fathom Ava going through this or how we would deal with her being immobile for such a long period of time. I can't even describe what I was feeling inside the day of Ava's first surgery and I definitely did not want my baby going through any of this. I hurt for her, I cried for her and I was beyond scared for her. When seeing Ava in her spica cast for the first time my first thought was "How are we going to do this??" We had a huge challenge ahead but I also had no doubt we would do what it would take to help her heal and have perfect hips again.

Waiting for good news...

Well here we are 11 months after Ava's first surgery. Over those months Ava had to endure two surgeries, three cast, a cast removal, relearning to walk, run and move and finally hardware removal. It has been 5 1/2 weeks since her plates and pins were taken out and we have  anxiously been waiting for her bones to heal. Today was our follow up visit with Dr. A. Ava could hardly contain her excitement and I don't think I've ever seen her so excited to go to the doctor (nor I.) As always our visited started with an x-ray, after Dr. A came in with the news we all wanted... Ava was healed! She officially "graduated" and could go back to life as normal with no restrictions. Yeah! My baby did it! I couldn't even imagine this day a year ago but yet here we are. Ava will continue with physical therapy to regain flexibility and we will return in 4 months for another follow up x-ray. She will be monitored over the next year to make sure her sockets continue to grow properly and eventually she will only have to go once a year.

Celebrating with an ice cream cone!

Ava has been nothing but strong and brave through out this whole process. She has amazed me every step of the way and continues to amaze me each day. I love seeing her so happy and moving without pain. I am so grateful to an amazing surgeon and so thankful to everyone in our life who helped us along the way. By no means has this been an easy journey but I could not be prouder of my girl. I'm not sure if I will ever stop worrying but I will keep my faith that her hips will stay where they need to be. This truly is one of the best days ever, our little butterfly has been set free!!

Before and After