We took Jude to an orthopedic specialist yesterday because he has a crooked foot. He has had it since birth, due to positioning in the womb. His pediatrician told us just to work on it, pushing it back into correct position. He has been receiving physical therapy for about 6 months now and his therapist recommended we see a specialist because of some things she noticed when he started pulling to stand and crawling. I asked the pediatrician to revaluate him and she agreed with the physical therapist, saying it wouldn't hurt to have it checked out. So, off we went. The specialist recommended a full leg cast to correct the "moderate" issue with his foot. We were flabergasted! I couldn't believe he said "cast". This was our first meeting. I assumed we'd be watching it and would have a follow up visit in six months to continue monitoring it. We were at Children's Hospital and were sent right over to the cast room to have the cast put on...a mere 35 minutes after signing in. It all went so fast. We hemmed and hawed about it for about 10 minutes outside the cast room trying to decide what was best. In the end, the doctor's advice that he would put it on his own child if faced with the same decision was what determined our decision. Jude was an absolute angel during the 30 min. process and has not been the least bit inhibited by it. I was concerned he'd have trouble going to sleep with it on, but he simply rolled over in his bed and fell asleep...as usual.
Phil picked out the color, purple, for LSU. They didn't have gold so they gave us some LSU stickers to put on the cast, but they fell off. Now he just has a purple cast and I have to explain to people it's for LSU. We went to Wal-Mart last night and got many stares. He's due to get the cast off in 2 weeks and will perhaps need corrective shoes as well. We'll see. There was some talk of a possible 2nd cast for another 2 weeks if this one doesn't do the trick, but I'm not sure I'm up for that. Only sponge bathing and no swimming equals no fun for the summer!!! Here are some pictures of him with his cast. The last two are of Jude laying in Butch's bed, and Butch watching Jude laying in his bed. Butch is powerless when it comes to Jude. The other day, Butch was eating, and Jude crawled up to his dish, pushed Butch out of the way, and began eating his dog food! Butch just backed up and watched.
Jude and his cast, first day
Sleeping with the cast for the first time
Laying in Butch's bed
Butch watching Jude laying in his bed!
Hope it works out. Doesn't look like it concerns him, though.
Annie had one foot that turned in a bit when she was little too. She had to have a brace that attached to the bottoms of her shoes and wore it at night(with shoes on) for quite awhile. She was able to stand in her crib with it on and other than banging up the crib a bit, it didn't seem to bother her. All is well now:)
He is just too cute! I hope you don't have to get another cast.
Babies are tougher than parents sometimes. The purple brings out the blue in his eyes even more. He's so cute. Poor Butch. (what a good dog.)
Awww, that's too bad that he has to have a cast. Babies are so resilient, I'm sure it'll be harder on you than him. He's still such a cute little boy!!
I just love Jude's blonde hair and blue eyes! We are hoping that Wyatt may turn out to have blue eyes, but the odds are he will have brown. Jude seems to be okay with the cast. I hope it all goes by quickly for you all and that you don't have to get another cast. I like the purple though.