Austin's Orthopedic Appointment

Before all the holiday craziness we were able to get Austin into a Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist in Omaha. As far as we knew, from Austin's pediatricians(both here and in Utah) his foot was not that big of a deal. His right foot has three toes, and is a little smaller and narrower than his left foot. We were also suspecting that his right leg was a little shorter than his left-which our pediatricians had just thought with a shoe lift everything would be fine. Unfortunately, after a few ex-rays and an examination from the doctor, we realized it may not be as simple as a shoe lift. The doctor told us that his case is pretty rare, his tibia bone is a smaller/shorter than normal, making his leg shorter, and also making his knee and ankle weak. What makes this harder is the doctor didn't have a name for his condition, he said that cases similar to his it is usually the fibula bone that is short or missing, but he has never seen or heard of it in the tibia bone. At that point he gave us three options:

1. Leg lengthening
2. Leg shortening (in the left leg)
3. Amputation-in the most severe cases

I think I was kind of in shock at this point, because I was just expecting a simple solution, no one wants to hear any of those words, especially amputation. Neither of us  really asked many questions, because like I said, we weren't really prepared for that news. He kinda left it like that, and we set up a follow up appointment. After the appointment Wes and I both agreed that neither of us felt very good about the doctor that we had just saw. So we knew we'd definitely be researching and getting second opinions.

I love Austin so much, and I wouldn't change a thing about him, but it's just hard to hear news like this, cause he's my baby and I don't want him to go through any of those things. When I was pregnant with him I received a blessing that told me Austin was going to be very special boy, and I firmly believe it. Not just because his leg, but because he has such a sweet, happy spirit about him, I can't imagine our family without him.

Right now I've just been researching as best I can (its really hard though because I can't find anything that is the exact same...only cases that are kind of similar). We have a doctors appointment set in February with another Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist at the Shriner's hospital in Salt Lake City. Which is going to be another struggle in itself just getting there! As crazy fearful as I am flying, plus doing it by myself with two kids-yikes! I'm trying not to stress about it too much. You gotta do what you gotta do! Until then we'll just keep having faith and praying for Austin, no matter what the outcome will be. 

Hailey adores "Austy Boy" as she calls him