We went into Gillette Children's 2 weeks ago to get information and figure out what we needed to do to fix Callie's hips and all the sudden there was several people in the room talking to us and putting her in a harness. I honestly don't even remember what was said because I was concentrating on not crying or grabbing her and running out of the room. Thankfully it wasn't a complete surprise. We had (mentally) prepared that she would be leaving with this thing on, just in case. It didn't make it any easier though.
So we are taking things one day at a time and figuring out life with a baby in a harness. The first couple days were the hardest. Callie did not like being confined and just wanted to be held. I felt so bad for her, we could tell she was just trying to get comfortable but couldn't. She has been a lot better the past week or so.
We were told that she could be out of the harness for about 30 minutes a day, basically long enough to change her onesie in the morning and give her a bath at night. Some nights I skip a bath and just cuddle her harness-free for a few minutes. I miss being able to do that.
I thought I would take every chance I could to get her out of it but usually at night I put on a cute onesie she can wear the next day because I hate taking it off her. Not so much taking it off but putting it back on. When we take it off she always stretches so big and will get a cute little smile. It breaks my heart putting it back on after that. (I usually make Matt do it.) :)
I am getting better at doing our "normal stuff" and getting out of the house. I am not doing as well with people staring and asking about it. Before she was even in it I was already sick of hearing that she will be okay and that it could be worse.
I know that.
I tell myself that every day.
But right now this is what we are going through and no matter how severe or not something is, it is still heartbreaking watching your kids go through it. Yes, I am so thankful that she WILL be okay and that it COULD be worse but I'm still sad that she is going through all this. I just hate seeing her in this thing.
I am also very thankful for a friend whose son had hip dysplasia. It has been so nice having someone else understand what's going on and know how I feel, not to mention I have asked her a million questions.
Thank you Sonya!! :)
So for now we are making sure we follow all the "rules" and do everything the doctors told us to do because we want this to be done as soon as possible. As of right now we have no idea how long she will need to be in it, all we know is that is will be at least a couple months. We go back every 3 weeks for ultrasounds and adjustments and hopefully good news each time. There is a very high success rate with this harness so we are praying for complete healing!!
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15 comments:
Laura, I'm sorry you and your baby girl are going through this. It's normal to feel sad about it, no matter what anyone says. We all expect our babies to be totally healthy and when that doesn't happen exactly the way we thought, it can be difficult to accept. I know it's hard to see her like that and it breaks my heart you can't cuddle her, but hang in there and remember, this too shall pass.
I was so sad when Sprout was born and it took a few days for me to recover due to stitches. All I wanted to do was move around and be free to be a mom, but I had to wait for some time before that happened.
I'm glad your writing how you really feel. Take care, I wish there was more I could do. I'll be praying that the harness works and she will be free of it soon. BTW, she's an adorable pumpkin! Love that last shot, looks like she's got blue eyes!
((hugs))
She is the sweetest little thing and she is so very blessed to have such a loving family that is taking care of her with such tenderness,
She is such a great blend of both of your other kiddos!
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!
Oh Laura! I am so sorry. This is not a fun thing to have to go through. I am sure you are sick of people saying "it could be worse." I hate that as well. It doesn't matter that it isn't a worse case scenario, it is hard enough right now, right? She is so precious, and my heart goes out to you and her. I will be keeping you both in my prayers.
What a sweetie! My thoughts and prayers are with Callie and the rest of the fam!
(((HUGS))) I'm just teary looking at her too! I'm sure on one hand you'd like to fasto forward through this process but by then your little girl won't be so little anymore. I am praying for a speedy healing and an even speedier adjustment to the harness so you can enjoy your baby bug! It looks like bigger sun dresses might fit over the harness. I'm glad you have support. I have another friend who went through it with her first. I'll try to send her over here.
Katie
Laura, thoughts and prayers to you and sweet baby Callie! What an honest post!!! yes, no matter what, we feel sad for our children, and even when people tell you it could be worse, what our kids are going through at the time, is the worse for us, as parents. So, hold you head high, and that beautiful baby. Praying for fast healing!
What a beautiful little baby. Praying that these weeks (and months) go by quickly, and with successful healing. Blessings. The Carlsons.
You guys are great, strong,loving parents for seeing your precious babe through this.
She's as adorable in person as she is in these pictures!
And what a delight it was to hold her!
Time will fly by so fast, too fast as we well know.
If there is every anything we can do let me know!
Hugs & prayers!
You are so very welcome! Like I said before I will do anything, answer any questions you have, be here to listen when you need to vent...ANYTHING to help you through this! I am so glad that I can be here for you because I never had even heard of hip dysplasia before we got Colton's diagnosis. I was so alone and scared and afraid and everyone around me was acting like it was no big deal. And just like you said, it is a big deal! this is something that our children have to endure and it is heartbreaking to watch and see them go through something like this.
SO YOU SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT and YOU FEEL HOWEVER YOU WANT TO FEEL!! I will be here to listen and support you any way that I possibly can!!
She rocks that thing! Such a cute little thing.
You are an amazing woman. I hope you hear that often. Your strength and compassion bless me to no end.
I am praying for Callie. Praying for a surprisingly quick and thorough healing. Her name is going on my mirror so I will be reminded often to lift her to the Lord.
Joining you in prayer, Laura! While I don't know what it's like to have a harness on your baby, when Bridge was 6 months old she had glasses and an eye patch - in order not to rip them off, she had arm braces on. They kept her arms stiff. They were like casts. Then, she had surgery on both eyes at 11 months and continued to have the braces on so she would not rub the stitches loose. So...I get the confinement thing...and about people asking. (One time a woman made a comment to me in the store about how awful it was that I had glasses on an infant! As if I was doing it for cosmetic purposes! I wanted to slug her! She was lucky I didn't!)
I feel for you...so you can count on my prayers being heartfelt and often. :)
I hope to meet you and your little angel some time soon. Maybe at SAMmy's in the fall. We've seen lots of prayer answered there these past few years...Jocelyn can attest to that! (She says "hi" btw...) :)
Have a great weekend, Laura!
oh laura, i am so sorry you are all going through this. i can't imagine how hard it must be. do you have a good baby carrier that you could wear her in being she likes to be held? I'm thinking an Ergo would be fantastic given the way her legs are positioned. I would be happy to loan you mine if you don't already have one. let me know...
sending love and prayers from way too hot TX!
xo!
First of all congrats on that beautiful gift from God! Second, I will pray for her complete healing along side you. She is just precious.
Laura... how did I miss this?! I am praying with you too... for quick healing so that sweet little babe can snuggle you harness free! I went through many many years of insane doctor appointments with my son... he has many medical trials... but appears fairly normal to the every day Joe.. it is VERY hard to watch your little one go through hard stuff... and even though there are happy moments in every day despite the medical challenges... there are still sad moments in every day too... and that IS OK!! It is funny how folks don't realize you need to grieve a bit ... they would too if they were facing challenges with a little one.... =) Sending you hugs with my prayers!! OH.. I am so glad you have a friend who went through it!! that helps!! =)
Praying for you all as you go through this!!!! Glad you did post on a "bad" day and were able to be open & honest! It feels good to get stuff off your chest every once in a while!!!
I can relate with how people are (and just how rude they can be!!!) about staring & asking questions. Even though it's totally different people stare at Jenna and ask about her strawberry all.the.time. I've even been asked why I put that on her head, why did I drop her, and what I burned her with. Seriously.
You are such a good mama following all the rules!!!! Callie is blessed to have such great parents!
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