This was his very first cast! 1 week old.
This was when we were takingthe cast off. (it came off in the water!) That's when he used to fit in the sink! 2 weeks old!
Daddy holding Marcus, wearing his "special shoes".
OK, so for those of you who don't know, our son Marcus was born with a club foot. It is an over stretched and tight Achilles tendon which caused the foot to point inwards. The procedure was for him to receive a new cast every week for 6 weeks to help straighten out his foot. After 6 weeks, he had to have a surgery where they cut his Achilles cord, which was then casted for 3 weeks straight. It was probably one of the hardest things we had to do. Receiving funny looks was way worse and disheartening than concerned and curious people asking questions! Many days I didn't want to take Marcus out of the house or into public for fear of what others may think. But I found a lot of support from friends and family who dealt with a similar experience! Betsy's daughter Niki had two club feet, and it really helped talking with her. I had to keep reminding myself that I am lucky, things could always be worse!
Anyways, after 3 weeks in his final cast, a total of 9 weeks and keep in mind he had his first cast at 1 week old; he was to wear what we call his "special shoes". Shoes that keep your feet spread to shoulder width where his right foot was placed at a 45degree angle and his left at a 70 degree angle. His special shoes were full time for 3 months straight. And finally last month he has been without shoes except for all naps and nights! He absolutely loves his feet, now that he has discovered them. And sleeping with these shoes on was not easy, can you imagine?!
Although, the casts have strengthened his hips and back muscles and the shoes did teach him how to scoot around, flip, hit mommy in the back and especially the shins! ouch!!
But the funniest, since he is a wiggle worm is that he sleeps with no bumper guard, and this is how i found him after his nap today, crying for help and pissed off! i couldn't help but laugh!!
His feet are stuck in the crib poles! my poor bubba!
Cameron called me a mean mommy! i guess so! : )
We used to call Niki's her snowboard- you should go grind something with those suckers!
ReplyDelete*I want to play tomorrow. Let me know what time.
Thanks for sharing this story. I am impressed with the attitude that you and Cam have about your little Marcus' foot. He is so cute and he is lucky to have such great parents!
ReplyDeleteaww, sweet boy! i can't wait to see him! he's getting soo big!
ReplyDeletego marcus! that is a really funny picture of him stuck in the crib bars! i really like those shoes. niki's are different. i think the next time we go in for new shoes we are going to get that kind, i heard they are more comfortable. thanks for the shoutout, it really does help when you find someone to talk to about it, i had a friend that i was able to talk with. i think the hard part is over :)
ReplyDeletethe hard part is definitely over!!!!
ReplyDeletehey kamaile. thanks for your sweet comments! I'm glad marcus has come so far in such a short time. One thing I've learned is there is no way you can be prepared for what motherhood throws your way! I'm so glad we can keep in touch even though we are living in different states
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