Her Hips

There were many things we knew about  Eliana before she came to our family and we knew that the possibilities were endless as to what the days ahead would hold for our family.  It was certain that she would need a team of doctors and therapy and tests and medicine.  There were also many things that we did not know.  But really isn't that how it is with any child.  There are no certainties and each day holds new challenges as well as new victories.

We suspected from her brain images in China that she had cerebral palsy.  This was confirmed once we came home.  There are many ways CP can manifest itself in a child.  Elie's stroke left the right side of her body weak, the muscles spastic, the bones shorter.  She is a fighter and we have accomplished mountains of growth since the time we met last July.  Last July.... when she wouldn't/couldn't put her weight on her right leg, when she was barely aware that she had a right hand, when her muscles were so tight that she would cry every time we stretched.  When I watch her stand on her right leg to do one leg squats, my tears well up every time   It is amazing the progress she has made.  

But the fact remains that for five years her hip has been moving out of place.  The top of your leg (femur) is shaped like a ball (head) and that ball is supposed to fit inside of a groove in your hip (pelvis). When the head of the femur isn't in place the pelvis does not form properly causing the top of the femur to fall further out of place.  We discovered at her first pediatric visit that her hip was not in place.  This was confirmed by x-rays and trips to the orthopedic specialist.  In August her hip was out by 30%.  In November it was out by 50%.  Surgery is recommended once you hit that 50% mark.  

Our Ortho understands we need more time.  We need as much time as possible before going through such an intense surgery.   Not just emotionally, but also physically.  The earlier a child has the surgery completed, the higher the incidence of needing another one before puberty.  

On Thursday we go back to Ortho for another evaluation.  We are asking for your prayers for our family and for the road ahead.  For timing, for decisions that need to be made, for healing, for peace and however else you feel led to pray.  This year feels like it would be the worse time possible for this surgery to take place.  However we trust God beyond our own understanding of what seems best.  Thanks for standing beside us once again.