No more Physical Therapy!!!

Joy was released from PT in March, but continues to go to Aqua-therapy at least until summertime. We bought her a scooter to celebrate (riding a scooter was encouraged by her therapist and we had been borrowing the neighbor's old beat-up scooter.) Sadly, we had to return the helmet when we noticed it was toddler sized, and they don't make the kitty ones for big kids. Oh well.

Easter Joy

This year on Easter I had to think back to one year ago when Joy was in the ex-fix and her first time going out was for the Easter egg hunt. She arrived in her reclining wheelchair and hunted eggs with a grabber while using her walker. She's come such a long way in one year!!!

4th grade field trip

Today's bus experience is quite different from the "empty "special" bus in 3rd grade.....the 4th grade loaded onto huge fancy tour busses to go to Alabama and visit American Village! She won't get home until after 6 tonight, I can't wait to hear how it was....

Jump for Joy!!

Today we saw Dr. Flanagan and got several x-rays (left ankle too since it's been hurting...it's normal.) The hip is doing well enough that Joy can go down to once a week for physical therapy, and was cleared to run and jump! (Although she said jumping is still the worst thing for Joy's hip, do it as tolerated.)Then we hung out at the hospital, visited the rehab unit, had lunch in the newly remodeled cafeteria, and got to make an amazing gingerbread house in the ZONE!!! I think we were there 5 hours! The hospital is decorated for the holidays, and is quite lovely!

Sleeping brace/pillow

When we heard Joy would have to sleep in her brace for 6 months, I immediately asked for one of these. (The metal/velcro walking brace would have been very hard to sleep in!) Only one and a half more months to go before she's hit the 6 month mark!! Whew! I know she'll be happy to say goodbye to this ritual!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjPTtMAakQ0&feature=youtu.be

Give thanks

Grandpa Tom, his girlfriend Glad and I had Thanksgiving lunch with Joy today at school. She presented me with this lovely card she'd made. Since it mentioned the fixator and her "hip condition" I thought I'd share it here on the Perthes Blog. Such a sweet girl!!!

Perthes follow-up

Today Joy had two appointments. First was in the clinic to see the rehab doctor and show her how well Joy is doing! Then quickly off to orthopedics (carried Joy piggy-back to get there on time, then we waited an hour!!) We saw Dr. Schmitz today since Dr. Flanagan is on maternity leave with her new son! There seems to be a lot of growth on the x-ray, but the head shape is not as round as we'd hoped, more cylindrical. Goes back and forth in the socket well, but rotation is limited. He said Joy's hip will never be normal, but should get her into her 60's before a replacement is necessary! He also said she would never be a professional gymnast. (Not that she was going to be, but she was taking gymnastics classes when she was diagnosed with Perthes.) We'll have to get her on a swim team instead! She's not released to full activity yet (still no running/jumping), but activity as tolerated. We go back in December. Schmitz wouldn't completely rule out further surgery, but I think things are looking pretty good! If not for the external fixator, he said her femoral head would be square!