This afternoon we took Hailey to Gillette Children's (in the Regions Hospital building) in Saint Paul to have her right leg/foot evaluated. Logan had the afternoon to himself with Grandma and Grandpa.
As soon as Hailey began walking in May it was clear that she was not using her right foot correctly. The foot was pointed outward and she was not landing on it flat.
We did not want to panic. We waited until her already scheduled two year appointment at the end of July to discuss it with her pediatrician.
She was fairly confident that it would self correct. Hailey's muscles did not exhibit any stiffness and both legs felt the same, even though her use of each leg/foot differed. It was decided we would wait until October to watch for improvement and if there wasn't any her pediatrician would either examine her again then and/or directly send her to Gillette.
Over the summer there was some definite improvement but the problem did not go away. In October a physical therapist from the school district watched Hailey walk for an hour and decided that she would likely benefit from wearing inserts in her shoes. The inserts arrived and Hailey began wearing them most waking moments beginning in late October.
While wearing her shoes/inserts Hailey's walk appears almost normal. However, when we observe her walking barefoot there does not seem to be any improvement since late summer.
Earlier this month at Hailey's NICU Follow-up Clinic appointment this topic came up and they observed her walking barefoot. They felt we needed to have her evaluated at Gillette. We contacted her pediatrician who also agreed it was a good idea.
So, today was the big day.
Going to Gillette is a very humbling experience even before you get inside. An entire level of the parking ramp is handicapped parking only and that level was full. Once inside you see kids with all levels of challenges that make you feel almost guilty for using the services of a hospital designed for their needs.
Any nervousness we felt about what Hailey may or may not need done was quickly erased by sheer gratitude for how well she is doing considering the odds against her at birth.
Hailey was seen by a nurse practitioner whose conclusion was there was nothing to worry about. Yes, she too sees what we and others have seen but given the feel of her muscles, her speed and agility walking and running, and the seemingly complete lack of pain this causes her there is no need for concern. The condition will likely self correct and even if it doesn't, there is nothing to really fix. Wearing the inserts will help her but we do not need to be as vigilant as we have making her wear them all the time.
We walked out relieved hoping to never have a need to return.
Late this afternoon Hailey had her weekly session with her teacher who brought a trampoline to help her with her jumping skills. What a contrast to watch Hailey standing on a trampoline just a few minutes after the whole Gillette experience.
One Year Ago - Early Childhood Session #35
Two Years Ago - Inauguration Day
