We have arrived in Baltimore after a very relaxing vacation at the beach. The temperature was in the 40's most of the week so we had the beach to ourselves! The kids loved running from the waves and digging in the sand. We will post some pictures when we can.
Eleanor's surgery is this morning. She was very excited about everything and has been charming everyone she meets. Of course it helps that everyone she meets seems to give her some kind of gift or treat. We are going to have to rent a U-Haul for the way back! She doesn't even bat an eye about surgery. She went back telling the anesthesiologist jokes and talking about her new stuffed polar bear Fluffy from her aunt Molly.
I am currently listening to her surgeon talking to another family about their child's surgery, while Eleanor is still in surgery. It is a strange feeling, but I am sure she is in good hands...good news, it is not as bad as it sounds. He found us afterwards and Eleanor is done! Everything went as expected. We should be able to see her very soon.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
The dreaded cold
The inevitable and completely predictable has happened. Henry has come down with a cold. We are madly trying to sanitize our entire home and quarantine Henry as much as possible. I think he is actually enjoying help with keeping his sisters out of his room. It is usually our rule that all are welcome. Eleanor is away for her last day of school avoiding home germs and probably picking up others to share, so I am sure our efforts are futile. I am about to go out and gather zycam, vitamin C and masks? Any other suggestions?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Back to Baltimore
We are in the process of packing up the family and heading to Baltimore for Eleanor's first and hopefully only leg lengthening. It has been a long story to say the least. I have been meaning to update everyone for quite a while, but things have been evolving so here goes...
Eleanor will be having surgery March 31st to place an external fixator on her left femur. We are hoping to lengthen her femur 5cm over the next 6 months. Eleanor, Margaret and I will stay in Baltimore for the lengthening phase, about 3 months. Eleanor will be monitored closely and will have 2 hours of therapy daily. Then we will come home for 3 months with the fixator on so that her new bone can harden.
Our Baltimore address will be:
The Ronald McDonald House
635 W. Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
cell phone 309 558 5470
Dan and Henry will be holding down the home front. Henry will finish the school year and graduate from kindergarten in May! They will be able to be with us for the first week and will come visit in May.
As most of you know, Eleanor has fibular hemimelia and proximal femoral deficiency disorder, which means her left leg is significantly shorter than her right. The difference is ~5cm with projected difference of ~12cm. Our options were to lengthen her leg or amputate. As you can imagine it has been a difficult decision. We are lucky to have found an amazing surgeon, Dr. Paley who has been instrumental in advancing the science of limb lengthening.
Eleanor had surgery last April to reconstruct her knee and hip in preparation for lengthening. She has amazed us with her strength and determination. She can and has always been able to do everything any other child can do. She was born a gymnast and is proving it in class. Her current coach encouraged her to continue and suggested she skip 2 classes ahead. Eleanor takes great pride in this and is "practicing" at home. She has even been doing bar work in Daddy's closet...lets hope she doesn't try to do the same tricks with her fixator on. I am secretly hoping it will slow her down a little bit. I can't imagine doing flips at the top of your father's closet is recommended with a fixator. (To be honest it is not recommended without, but there is no stopping Eleanor!)
We will be driving out to Maryland and plan to stop and enjoy the ocean and hopefully warmer weather on the way out. Road tripping with a 6, 4 and 1 year old...let the adventure begin!
Eleanor will be having surgery March 31st to place an external fixator on her left femur. We are hoping to lengthen her femur 5cm over the next 6 months. Eleanor, Margaret and I will stay in Baltimore for the lengthening phase, about 3 months. Eleanor will be monitored closely and will have 2 hours of therapy daily. Then we will come home for 3 months with the fixator on so that her new bone can harden.
Our Baltimore address will be:
The Ronald McDonald House
635 W. Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
cell phone 309 558 5470
Dan and Henry will be holding down the home front. Henry will finish the school year and graduate from kindergarten in May! They will be able to be with us for the first week and will come visit in May.
As most of you know, Eleanor has fibular hemimelia and proximal femoral deficiency disorder, which means her left leg is significantly shorter than her right. The difference is ~5cm with projected difference of ~12cm. Our options were to lengthen her leg or amputate. As you can imagine it has been a difficult decision. We are lucky to have found an amazing surgeon, Dr. Paley who has been instrumental in advancing the science of limb lengthening.
Eleanor had surgery last April to reconstruct her knee and hip in preparation for lengthening. She has amazed us with her strength and determination. She can and has always been able to do everything any other child can do. She was born a gymnast and is proving it in class. Her current coach encouraged her to continue and suggested she skip 2 classes ahead. Eleanor takes great pride in this and is "practicing" at home. She has even been doing bar work in Daddy's closet...lets hope she doesn't try to do the same tricks with her fixator on. I am secretly hoping it will slow her down a little bit. I can't imagine doing flips at the top of your father's closet is recommended with a fixator. (To be honest it is not recommended without, but there is no stopping Eleanor!)
We will be driving out to Maryland and plan to stop and enjoy the ocean and hopefully warmer weather on the way out. Road tripping with a 6, 4 and 1 year old...let the adventure begin!
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