When we went to see Dr Fantastico, the best paediatrician ever, he said to us:
If I was blessed with a beautiful baby like yours, I would get his hips checked by ultrasound, just to be sure that there is no dysplasia, because if there is, it is very easy to fix when he is this small, but it is very devastating if you don’t find out until they are older. I’ll eat my stethoscope if there is anything wrong with them, but you know, I have had to eat my stethoscope before…
We had the ultrasound today.
I am now thinking about how to make a stethoscope cake for Dr F to eat.
The ultrasonographer said the dysplasia was mild to moderate, in his left hip only. We did the obligatory Dr Google consultation when we got home, and it seems that it is what is known as a ‘packaging problem’ - that is, related to his position in utero, which, as we all know, was dodgy (it is related to the torticollis as well). Loey will probably have to wear a brace for a while - we won’t know what kind or for how long until we see the orthopaedic people at the children’s hospital some time very soon (we’re waiting for them to call us back).
In the meantime, we are reminding ourselves how this is a totally fixable condition that we have picked up relatively early - if it is not picked up and fixed as a baby it can be really awful later in life. In other words, we are talking ourselves down from the shock and sadness of finding out there is something, anything, wrong with our baby.
And every time we look at our Loey as he contorts himself into a c-shape on the floor or in our arms, and he smiles at us or makes a funny face or coos and chortles, every time he relaxes his little body into our shoulders, opens his eyes wide and licks at our arms in the shower, every time he rolls his eyes in ecstasy as he goes on the breast, flutters his tongue against our finger, grins briefly in his sleep - every single time we feel like the luckiest girls in the world.
on the good side, you will get to see him stretch and develop in a way that few other people can see their children grow. the literature does seem to indicate that it’s fairly ‘fixable’ at his age? and they’re very cute photos!
Comment by nix — October 3, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
he is lovely! and the dysplasia is totally fixable and will become but a memory in no time. but it must have been the shock to get the news.
Comment by J-Le — October 4, 2007 @ 6:52 am
Oh crap girls, even though it is fixable i am so sorry you have something else to worry about with your precious little man. as j-le says, it will become a memory in no time…in the mean time a think a stethescope stew would be easier to make..or bread..you girls are the bread making queens!
Comment by owl — October 4, 2007 @ 7:01 am
ah, i didn’t mean to be all “lalalala this is great news!” by the way! i think it’s just that i find this kind of thing fascinating - and not a “let’s study this curious specimen” way. see, the braces looks really interesting to me, and i love the idea of this kind of baby-exoskeleton. it’s kinda cyborgian. and i *like* that. i don’t really see it as a problem but as a process. then again i guess i have to see body issues like that, or i’d fall into a deep pit of despair.
but yes, it will be an extra stress for you to deal with, which i meant to acknowledge in my first comment (i was sure i’d written that! random!) and i hope you are feeling less in shock about it now.
Comment by nix — October 4, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Is it possible for him to be any more adorable? I can see why you love Dr Fantastico….he sounds so thorough, lucky you have him to care for Loey…and Loey is so lucky to have you both care for him too..xxxx
Comment by M — October 4, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Dr Fantastico sounds indeed fantastico. Really pleased that you have him in your corner, and am continuing to dote on Loey from half the world away.
Comment by Ika — October 5, 2007 @ 1:53 am
Good god that kid is beautiful.
Comment by Eric — October 6, 2007 @ 1:43 pm