Rua - medical update

Since the last time I posted about Rua's ectrodactyly, we've met with the orthopedic surgeon again. We were definitely curious to see Rua's xray images and hear what the doctor had to say. We had gone in previously to get the xrays done, but unfortunately we had to redo them the day of our appointment as well. Rua did not like it either time at all. It's no wonder they weren't able to get good enough pictures the first time around.

However it was definitely fascinating to see the images and see how her little bones are formed. Some of her fingers have fused bones, some are side by side bones, but with fused skin. One particularly interesting thing was that her left foot has polydactyly - an extra toe!  Or at least the bones inside for an extra toe that never emerged. This extra bone is slanted though and pushing on her big toe, which already sticks out pretty far on the side.

Rua's feet

Rua's left hand

Rua's right hand (couldn't get this picture to upload the rotated version). Her fingers are overlapping so it's hard to really see them.

Which leads to the doctor's plan of action. He suggested that we have surgery done to remove this extra bone so that it won't continue to push on her big toe and push it even further to the side. He also said another optional surgery would be to remove her little finger on her right hand. This finger comes off of one of her other two fingers on that hand. It has a bone inside but is a floppy, useless finger. He said that there is a possibility that it could get in her way as she continues to grow and use her hands. But he left that completely up to us.

We agreed on the surgery for her foot, that seemed to be a no-brainer. But that cute little finger! We haven't really decided on that yet. It doesn't seem to bother her at all now, and I hate the thought of removing any part of her.

So we went ahead and scheduled surgery for October 15. Soon, I know!  We wouldn't have done it for several months probably if we hadn't found out that she has a hernia that will need surgery to repair. This needed to be done in the next month or two and we figured that we would prefer to cut down on the general anesthesia that she has to get if possible. The surgeries will be done right after the other and will be outpatient. Recovery is supposed to be pretty easy, here's hoping.

Although these are minor surgeries and needed ones, it is still a scary thing to think of sending your child off alone to have surgery. What if something went wrong? What if she is scared when they take her away from me? What if she is in a ton of pain afterwards (they tell me it won't be too bad)?

I will be glad when Oct 15 is come and gone for sure.

Abby - story time

We have an awesome story time that we go to over on Coronado Island. It is by far the absolute best I have found. Apparently Abby thinks so too, because she has taking to having story times with her babies and animals. And it is set up exactly like the Coronado story time, complete guitar a la Mr Mike. It is just about the cutest thing I've seen her do.

Letter to Rua - 11 months

Sept 5 2015

Dearest Rua,

11 months!  The countdown to one year is on! This month milestone almost slipped by unnoticed, you keep me too busy to keep track of things very well. You are quite the busy little girl and you move so fast. It is exhausting trying to keep up with you. It's a good thing you've got an Abby to help out. When she isn't worried about you stealing her toys she is quite loving. She treats you almost like one of her baby dolls, even trying to lift you and carry you around (arms wrapped around you from behind). I learned today that she can now lift you up on things, ie the couch. Oh dear. But you eat it all up, laughing hysterically until you get hurt. Or until you reach for one of her cars and she flips out. You are starting to hold your own though, you hold on tight to things and shriek back when she tries to take things away from you. Now, if I could just get you guys to share and have no shrieking on either end.

Other than your up and down relationship with Abby, some other fun things about you at 11 months:

• You are becoming increasingly agile and balanced. You have started to have short spurts on standing on your own (like 2-3 seconds). You like to sit kneeling down on your knees. You have starting climbing things. I looked over at you today to see you sitting on top of Abby's little table. You can push Abby's shopping cart around. You like to walk holding on to my hands, and now on to just one of my hands at times. 

• You have a couple of words, or rather, word approximations that you say. The most prominent is 'Da' for Dad. You very excitedly say 'da' whenever he comes home or when he calls on the phone. Occasionally you say 'ma' for mom. The only other one I think you say is 'ba' for bye. You say this sometimes as you wave your arm. We have been doing signs, but so far none from you, unless we count the waving. 

• You are still making lots and lots of messes
• You like to put necklaces on and off. Purses too. 

• You love to eat - some favorites right now: watermelon, cheese, smoothies.

• I'm starting to wonder if you already need your own baby doll, because you sure like to give Abby's lots of love

• You like to push toy cars around
• You can throw a ball (1-2 feet) and love to have me throw them back to you.
• You absolutely love water! Bath times continue to be some of your favorite times. They are tiring for me because you are constantly standing up and I am constantly sitting you back down. You love love the beach too. You are fearless and crawl straight into the water

I still get soo many comments from people about how happy you always seem, and this is definitely true. You constantly light up with your beautiful smiles. Those smiles sure help make things easier when I am exhausted from yours and Abby's endless energy. So keep smiling.

I love you

Love, Mom