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