Week 3

Well thankfully the Dr. was right about the casts getting easier to remove. This time it took us less than an hour which I was very thankful for. The Dr. appt. went as normal for Brody, lots of screaming during and after but this time he seemed to be more manageable (I could get him to stop crying and he slept better). I am so thankful for my friend Joan that has been going with me to the appointments. This time we actually got to go out to eat after the appointment since Brody was sleeping. It is nice because she is there to support me and also rides in the back with Brody to help him settle down on the way home. I also enjoy the adult interaction and good convo as well! Pictures below are after 2nd set of casts and also the 3rd pair of casts. The Dr. is working on moving the feet out and then will work on moving them up in the next couple of weeks.

Week 2

Well it took 2 hours to get his casts off on Monday evening which left me very frustrated but I think I understand the process and how it works a little better so hopefully next Monday will go better. Tuesday morning was his appointment to get his 2nd set of casts. Thankfully my precious friend Joan went with me. Things went about the same as the first time and he was very uncomfortable and cried in pain for almost 24 hours again. Yes, I lack lots but thankfully on the other days he is such a good sleeper and a happy baby. I gladly go on little sleep to stay up to comfort him during his pain.

(after week 1 of casts) (week 2 casts)

PS. I am very thankful for all the friends and family who have helped us out during this time by helping remove casts, going to the doctor with me, and helping out with Zaiden. So thankful for Zaiden being such a great boy as well! I am so proud of him :-)

Brody's Precious Feet - Week 1

At our 20 week Ultrasound Brody had an irregular heartbeat so we were sent to Fort Wayne the next week to a specialist. The heartbeat ended up correcting itself but in the ultrasound they noticed that he had clubfoot. I didn't really know much about it at the time so I went home and read about it and it made me nervous/scared reading the process our little guy would have to go through to correct this. Dan and I spent lots of time praying and continue to spend lots of time praying for little Brody. I am so thankful that God understands all my fears and heartache and helps me through it all.

Well here we are Now at the beginning of the process. As you can see in the pic both of his feet are turned. It is kind of hard to tell how much they are actually turned because his legs are curled up in this pic. I never actually got a good pic because I didn't realize he would be getting his casts on so soon.

We went to our 1st doctor appt. this past Tuesday, August 9, and they ended up putting his first set of casts on. It was a little more traumatic than what I thought it would be. I cried a lot during the casting and for the next 24 hours! Brody didn't handle it very well. He cried in pain for about 24 hours and then he started to get back to his normal happy self. It was a long 24 hours. It was so heartbreaking holding him and trying to comfort him while nothing seemed to help.

So far the plan is as follows:

• Brody will have casts for about 12 weeks and will get new ones every week.
• The doctor told us that 80% of the time babies with clubfoot have to have their tendons cut in the back of their heal to help correct and straighten the feet.
• Brody will then have to have to wear braces on his feet until at least age 2.
• 20% of the time further surgery would be required down the road (praying we are not in this percentage).

Next Steps: This Monday 8/15 I will have to take his casts off by soaking them in water and vinegar. I have been told this will be a long process until i get it all figured out. I will have to do every week the night before each of his appointments.

Please pray for Brody during this time and pray for us as it is a lot of things to do and very hard to see him go through this. We are very thankful this is something that can be fixed at such a young age.