Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Braces and Casts

Wednesday, September 18

The Marsh girls don't have any teeth yet...and aren't old enough to play sports to break any bones, and yet we've already had two casts put on and have been fitted for braces.

Devyn had her appointment with the orthopedic doctor on Monday. The doctors think Kinley was squishing her while she was in the womb, and when she was born her feet were turned in towards each other. The physical therapist worked with her while she was in the NICU, and it has gotten much better, but her feet are still very stiff and she doesn't have a very good range of motion with either foot. So, I was eager to get her in for this appointment to continue correcting the problem before she gets older and it gets more difficult to fix.

After a short visit with her orthopedic doctor we learned that there are only two ways to correct this type of problem: surgery or casts. Luckily, the doctor doesn't think her feet will require surgery. Instead he said she would need casts on both feet/legs to correct the problem. After that she will require braces and additional physical therapy to maintain the correction. So, poor Devyn had a terrible morning. After the doctor upset her during her initial examination, she had to have moldings taken of her feet to order the braces she will eventually wear, and finally we went back to the doctor to have the casts put on both legs. Even though the problem is in her feet and ankles, the casts reach all the way up her legs.
Full leg casts:-(
 
She was pretty miserable....which made us pretty miserable. It is incredibly awkward to carry her or try to position her in any way. She looks uncomfortable in almost any position.

She will receive new casts each week for 2-3 weeks until her braces arrive. Basically they look like a plastic boot. I'm not sure how long she'll have to wear the braces. From what I understand she may only have to wear them some of the time-perhaps only at night.

The swing seems to be the most comfortable for her. She spends a LOT of time here lately.


On Tuesday Kinley had her first follow-up appointment with her neurologist. The doctor was pleased with the results of the MRI that was competed before she left the NICU. It showed only a small affected area on the right side of her brain. There is no treatment that can be done for a brain bleed, so she will be monitoring her for the next couple years to watch for any complications. If there are any, they would show up as motor delays such as delayed rolling over, walking, etc. Only time will tell....

Kinley Grace
 
Our computer is currently at its own hospital. The "doctors" have ordered a new screen for it, and hopefully will be able to revive it. I'm dying without a computer! And I know some of the blog fans get concerned when there are no updates. Hopefully it won't be much longer!
 
A few pictures from the past week:
 Kinley in her bouncy seat.
 
 My movie partner (Kinley) crashed on me.

 NMSU Aggie fans already. They have adorable matching bows, but their heads are still too small!
 
Kinley's Aggie shirt. Can you see the carpet cleaner in the background? We had our first projectile vomit experience this day.
 
Personalized outfits....just what every girl needs!

1 comment:

  1. Oh my gosh! They are all so cute. I feel so sad that she has her legs in castes, but she is so cute! I hope she is able to get better. Thanks for posting all those pictures! http://www.streetrdrx.com/medical-equipment.html

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