Liam is 8 months old today. And to celebrate, his casts were removed for good! I know this is a much anticipated update. Believe me, I've been anxious to reach this point too! Liam's surgery has been a great success and now I can give the update of updates the occasion warrants. First of all, let me preface by saying this has been a difficult journey and we are certainly blessed with a strong and motivated little boy.
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| Day of Birth |
We are also blessed with the love, support, prayers and encouragement of many and for that we are eternally grateful. We thank God for all of you and for giving us this wonderful baby boy. We are greatly thankful for the expertise and care Liam has received from his orthopedists, nurses and his therapists. If not for the technology and treatment available today, Liam would not be where he is now.
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| Day of Birth |
Where is he now? Free of the burden of any further surgeries. That's right. His orthopedic doctor confirmed that given the progress that Liam is showing through his treatment and therapies, he does not see any need to intervene any further with surgery!
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| Waiting for final cast removal |
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| Waiting for final cast removal |
So here we are, 3 1/2 weeks after his last Achilles tendon lengthening procedure, patiently waiting for the last casts to come off. These heavy things (probably about 1 lb each) had been on his legs since immediately following his surgery. He is very strong!
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| Immediately after cast removal |
Liam's doctor successfully achieved the 90 degree angle he was aimimg for with this last surgery. Going into the surgery, the doctor thought he might need to insert pins in Liam's heels to help with the lengthening. If that would have been the case, then Liam would have needed to be placed under anesthesia again. After the rough recovery he endured from his surgery, I am thankful this step was not necessary.
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| Enjoying his new freedom |
We may have reached a break, but the journey is ongoing. Liam will need to wear special boots with a
Ponseti bar between them to maintain the new angle in his foot. We are instructed to keep his feet in the boots for 14 hours a day, most of which should be at night while he sleeps. This is expected for at least 6 weeks at which point his doctor will determine if we should continue with the boots.
5 comments:
Hooray for Liam!!!! Super achievement!
-Apryl
This is WONDERFUL news!!! He still looks like the happiest baby I've ever seen!! ♥ him!!
What an amazing little boy you have. His progress is so inspiring. So happy to hear how well he is doing!
We at Aeroflex hear about Liam all the time & are looking forward to meeting this brave little boy.... He is absolutely adorable!
Dear Lisa,
My name is Keir Shiels and I am a British Paediatrician. I am currently writing a text-book for medical students and junior doctors called "Pocket Tutor - Paediatric Clinical Examination, Second Edition". It is published by JP Medical. The first edition of the text book was written by Rossa Brugha and can be found on Amazon.
I am hoping to raise awareness amongst junior doctors of Arthrogryposis, and I wondered whether you might permit me to use a photograph of Liam from your blog in my text book.
I hope that you are able to get in touch with me on keir@keirshiels.com to let me know one way or the other.
Sincerely, and with best wishes for your family
Dr Keir Shiels
MA MB BChir MRCPCH MacadMEd
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