The biggest challenge we have faced so far with this surgery has been to help Billy maintain a healthy weight. He still isn't eating well, even though he is off the pain meds and is occasionally taking medication to increase his appetite. His pediatrician is at his wits end trying to come up with additional ways to help him gain. He's getting the med and Carnation Instant Breakfast Milk and a calorie additive called Polycose that we add to his food and drink. When he was weighed on Tuesday, he had lost another 1/2 lb. He's to the point now that 2T Pullups are falling off of him and my mother had to take in all of his pants so they would quit falling off. I know of a few toddlers who weigh as much as my 5 year old son (We're approximating his weight to be around 29 or 30 lbs now. He isn't even on the growth chart for his weight anymore...he's fallen completely off. My biggest fear is that with cold and flu season hitting that he's going to get sick and his body not be able to fight the illnesses and end him right back up in the hospital. His ped required that we get flu shots this year (much to Ally and Billy's dismay). I'm getting to the point that I am ready for this procedure to be over so I can have my healthy, active little boy back.
On a much brighter note, Billy's appointment at clinic went very well this week. The bone is filling in very nicely on his femur and we are only 1.6 cms away from being done with turns on his tibia. So far the total length we have gained is 6.4 cms. The doc is now so comfortable with things that we don't have to go back for an appointment until Dec 7th.
You can definitely tell a difference in his leg now. He's having to walk with it out pointed at an angle because his left leg is now longer than his right and it's very hard to compensate for that length. He started scaling the stairs off of our screened in porch this week and was out riding on a skateboard last weekend. He's using the bathroom alot more independantly and has even started assisting with his pin site cleanings in the shower now!
We've been very busy getting ready for the holidays. I've started my Christmas shopping and I will decorate next weekend and start my holiday baking in a few weeks. I'm still working part time at Billy's school, mostly in the office, to keep them up to date on the filing, and I have recently started a new home business crafting custom made hair bow holders. I hope to be adding tutus and pillowcase dresses to my product line soon.
Ally's been sick most of the week but other than that she is her usual divalicious self. She's really enjoying dance this year, and I've noticed a dramatic difference in her technique since she's in a more advanced class. Her grades (as usual) are fantastic. She definitely takes after her mother in the school department; great with reading, not so good with math.
Hope this post finds everyone doing well!
