Saturday, July 10, 2010

And so it begins


Here we are, about a week and a half away from an event that will change our big boy’s life forever.
It seemed like just yesterday we were told, Jeffrey will have surgery to stretch his leg when he’s about 6 or 7. Well, in November of 2009 we were asked , “Are you ready to schedule the surgery?” SURGERY? NOW? He just turned 3!!
So, here we are July 10, 2010 trying to jam in as much activity that a 3 ½ year old can take each day. (Well, apparently he can take a lot more activity than mom and dad!) We have something planned almost every day for him to just enjoy being able to run, jump, tackle his brother, kick, climb, swim…and be his energetic self. Once July 21st comes and for about 6 to 8 months after that he will be carried, pushed in a wheelchair/stroller or pulled in a wagon while sporting an external bar fixator attached to his femur with pins.
Everyone has been so great and offering so much support and prayer already.
It’s odd because it really hasn’t hit me yet. I mean, I know it’s coming really fast, but…I don’t know…I think we’ve been so busy that I haven’t had much time to stop and process it all yet.
Well, let the official countdown begin: 11 days from today

7 comments:

  1. Hope all goes well and we will continue to keep everyone in our prayers.

    Chris, Kelly, Matthew and Jack

    ReplyDelete
  2. My sweet little Jeffrey!!! It makes me so sad to think of him and what he has to endure......but, then I think, he's a little boy that will roll with the punches!!! Kids are so adaptable to their situation. The rest of us will be the ones that will feel his pain, not the physical kind (unfortunately that will be his, if I could only take it away) but the emotional drain of a baby in pain, who goes to the hospital well and comes away sick. I know the best we can do for him, and Mom and Dad, is to pray. Our prayers will see them through the toughest of times!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. We will all be there for you both and know that you will have a lot of support. Jeffrey will be fine and before long all of this will be behind all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers:)

    Pat and April

    ReplyDelete
  4. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Jim and Monica

    ReplyDelete
  5. As this journey begins ,I pray for incredible success for Jeffrey! May our prayers, positive energy and all the love his friends and family surround him with, provide him with great strength!
    Jill and Jaime,
    May God bless you with the strength you need and remember children are resilient, so Jeffery will be as active as ever before you know it! I thank the surgeons for their superior skills and ask God to guide them as well!
    Always here for you,
    Trina

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello and thanks for sharing your story! Your boys are gorgeous and your family blessed. Would you mind sharing why you decided to do Jeffrey's surgery at three as opposed to six or seven as you previously had planned. I have a 17 month old son with a congenital shortened femur. We have a leg lengthening on the timeline for around age 6 or 7 so I am curious why you chose to speed up the process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Enza, I am just seeing this since I do not update anymore. I know I really should. Originally, we were told around the age of 6 or 7 we would do our first lengthening, however, when we went for a check-up at the age of 3, our dr (at the time) said let's schedule surgery now. We were shocked!!! Emotionally, we were a mess. That was a doctor at CHOP. Needless to say, we sought a second opinion and visited the RIAO in Baltimore. There we found Dr. Standard!! Our savior! He explained things with an amazing bedside manner. He talked to us and our son, Jeffrey. What a great experience. I think we started early b/c at the age of 6 or 7 kids tend to be very negative and fight what is going on. Now that Jeffrey is 6 he barely remembers what happened during the fixator times of a 3.5 year old. We formed great relationships and a lifelong bond with the docs and support people there. We fully trust Dr. Standard and all of his recommendations. He explains everything in terms we understand and makes sure we are comfortable with any decision we need to make. I hope this helps.

      Delete