Looking Good!!

Another perfect x-ray.

Hard to believe it is May already! Having two kids in sports and other activities makes life hectic as ever!! (Kudos to everyone who has more then two, I can hardly keep track of the two I have.) I have been running in fifty directions the last several weeks and I just realized I never updated after Ava's last hip check up. Back in March Ava went for her normal 6 month check up. As usual an x-ray was done to see how everything has healed and make sure all is well. Thankfully she had another perfect x-ray and things are healing nicely. My nerves are usually shot by the time a check up comes around so all this is music to my ears. In this visit I learned a few things that may or may not be in Ava's future. (I think Dr. A spreads out the information he gives me, especially the not so great stuff, so I don't completely lose it.) So anyway, somethings I already knew but some was new information. The thing about having hip dysplasia and having surgery (or any treatment) there are no guarantees.

Fact number 1... Many "hip" patients are treated young (which is best case scenario) but when  a surgery is done to recreate a socket the hope is the socket grows properly. That being said, Ava was only 4 at the time of her surgeries and has a lot of growing (and growth catch up) ahead of her. This makes her still high risk for hip dysplasia but so far so good her hips are growing with her, whew!

Fact number 2... It takes years for the hips to truly be healed. Ava had both sockets reconstructed, over time as the ball moves in the socket, the socket will become deeper. The deeper the socket becomes the less likely dysplasia will happen. So far, so good!

Fact number 3... After surgery full rotation in each hip may or may not return. Right now Ava's inner rotation is great but her outer rotation is so-so. Over time and with normal everyday movement it can improve. Ava's right hip is seated a little differently to help prevent it from slipping out, the rotation in this leg is far less then in the left. From time to time Ava will call it her "bum leg" or "the leg that doesn't work so well." It doesn't hold her back one bit and ballet has definitely helped in the movement.

Fact number 4... It is not uncommon that come the early teen years Ava may need more surgery. What?!?! This is news to me! In Dr. A's words... as the body grows the hips may need a little "tweeking." Our hope is that it will not be the case for Ava but as I was warned, during growth the hips can become displace. She will never (well hopefully never) have dislocation again but here is where the risk of dysplasia comes in. Our hope and prayers are that she never has to have surgery again!!

 I left the check up feeling good about Ava's hips and even the not so great stuff didn't have me down. Dr. A is very happy with her recovery and his hope that no further treatment or surgery is needed. ( I could not agree more!) I have complete confidence in his work and all he has done to help Ava. The next check up is in 6 months and I know her hips will continue to be perfect. In the mean time life is completely normal for Ava. It will be 2 years (hard to believe so much time has passed) since her first surgery. Her Kindergarten year is almost done and she has become quite the little athlete. She currently doing ballet, playing t-ball and come fall she wants to try Irish Step Dancing. Nothing holds this child back! I continuously watch her with amazement on how awesome she is doing and from time to time I get tears in my eyes as I watch. (I always wonder when I will stop getting so emotional over her every move.)

I look forward to watching Ava grow and see all the wonderful things ahead of her. Also, I look forward to the day that this is a distant memory! I have one strong little girl and I know one day what she has been through will lead her to great things!! My little butterfly is really spreading her wings!!

Look how far she has come...

       

        

Happier Days

It has been almost two months since I have blogged, I have to say I have missed it but it's always good news when I have nothing to report. Ava is doing fantastic! On February 10 (two years to the day of her first visit) she had a check up with her Endocrinologist. In the last 6 months Ava grew 1 1/2 inches, gained 3 lbs and her hormone level is in normal range. Yeah!!! We still need to take her for an x-ray to get her bone age checked but all is good.

On top of the world!

It's a wonderful feeling to see Ava just be a kid again. She has embraced her new found freedom but it has not been as easy for me. I still worry about her during certain activities but at least I no longer jump at every fall. When you watch her walk, skip or run you would never know she had surgery. In November Ava started ballet and she is really enjoying herself. Mid January was parent observation, this was the first time I could visibly see her limitations. Her right hip does not have full rotation so it makes it difficult for her do some of the moves. I have to say it broke my heart a little to see her unable to sit 'criss cross applesauce' or sit in a 'V' sit and keep her back straight. She tries hard and I love her determination but I think next year we need to do tap or hip hop.

In February Ava attended her first gymnastic party since surgery, I was very nervous about this. I gave her my normal lectures on the way about being careful. Her response was "I know Mom, I'll use my muscles and my core to be strong. If anyone is being to rough in the bounce house I will move away." She's got this down pat! Needless to say she had a blast! Her favorite activity was swinging on the rope and  dropping into the foam pit. My heart was in my throat watching her but the joy on her face washed that away. We survived! I'm not sure why I worry so much, Ava is the strongest little person I know.

Ava has embraced Kindergarten. She has made friends, joined Daisies and wants to play t-ball in the spring. Hard to believe in 3 months it will be 2 years since her first surgery, she has come a long way. On March 28 Ava goes for her hip check up. I have no doubt her x-ray will be perfect. For now life has finally returned to normal chaos along with Ava's feisty personality. (That's putting it kindly.) I'm always proud of my girl and feel so blessed that her recovery has gone so well. As always, thanks for all the love and support!! xoxo

Beautiful Princess!

Keep the good news coming!

Wow it's hard to believe it's 2014. Come February it will be 2 years since Ava was diagnosed with hip hysplasia. I would love to say "how time flies" but unfortunately for my family the last 2 years has pretty much sucked! Good riddance to 2013, hello 2014! I'm ready for some positive things to happen in our lives and I have faith it will. In the last 2 years my family has been through 2 hip surgeries, 96 days in a cast, 6 months of physical therapy, Poopa's (aka Tony/grandpa) throat cancer, David's elbow surgery, Ava's broken elbow with 4 weeks in a cast and we rounded out the year with my oldest sister having a bleeding stroke. Yep, life has been pretty crappy. I guess I could dwell on the negative but I choose to find all the positive in every situation. So here are all the things I'm grateful for... As sucky as it was, Ava has 2 healthy hips, she no longer has constant pain and is getting healthier every day. Poopa's treatment worked and is cancer free (now if he could swallow life would be great). David's surgery went well and is not in pain like he was before. Ava's elbow healed quickly and is finally able to just be a kid. Finally, I am beyond thankful that my sister is still with us.

As the end of 2013 approached I realized I never took Ava for blood work that was ordered in August, her endocrinologist wanted to check her hormone level. I didn't mean to put it off but the script was giving the day before she broke her arm. There was no way I was taking her for blood work after that! Then in November she went for her well check up and her pediatrician wanted to check her vitamin D level. So anyway here we were at the last day of December and I really needed to get the test done. It had been months since Ava had been poked and prodded and she was not happy when I told her she needed to get blood work. She cried off and on all morning and she cried the whole time in the waiting room. Once the time came for them to actually take the blood work she screamed like I've never heard her scream but once it was over she was back to her normal self. Thank goodness that was done and hopefully it will be a very long time before I ever have to put her through that again.

Well the good news is Ava's vitamin D is within normal range. So happy to have good news at last! Fingers crossed her hormone level comes back normal as well. (I am so done with doctors, as is Ava!) Next on the list, Susan's blood clot is gone. Although she has a long road to recovery, she is doing better every day. I know 2014 is going to be a much better year. It is off to a good start and I pray that it continues on this happier path. What I learned in the last 2 years is to be grateful every day for what you have, keep your family close and life can change in the blink of an eye. Thank you for the continued support and prayers. As we start the new year hug your love ones tight, be grateful for life and try to always find the positive in a bad situation. Thank you for all the continued prayers and support. I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!! Here's to a better year!! xoxoxo