Healing

Oops, one should never commit to blogging on a certain day. Sure thing something will come up... like a 3 hour doctor appointment! So grab a cup of coffee, because this is a long one...

A little history on our girl...
When we received her referral in October, we knew she had PFFD. Proximal Femural Focal Deficiency. Yeah, I hadn't heard of it either. It means a short femur and with that comes loads of other issues in the bones of affected leg. Bad hip, knee, fibula, ankle and foot. To sum it up, we were prepared for them to amputate her leg from the knee down and fit her for a prosthetic. If you want to know more about this, read my earlier post here. But this photo below is all we had to go on. No measurements, nothing. So the doctors estimated a several inch discrepancy between the 2 legs? But they honestly weren't sure. Could have been 6 inches, could have been 3.

When we got an updated picture in December, she was clearly in much better shape than we thought. She was standing with no assistance and we were also told she was walking on her own. We believed that she was being healed. That things were beginning to look better than we had originally thought. But we were also told to be careful not to get our hopes up. The updates will often "stretch" the truth to make her sound better off than she really was.

Then we got to China and it was all true! She was walking independently, and in fact, her left leg was only 2.5 inches shorter than her right. Not the 5-6 inches the doctors originally thought it could have been.

SO THEN we had our orthopedic appointment last week (with a follow up yesterday, which is why I waited to write this post). And the results my friends are below:

Hip: Good shape, needs some reconstruction at some point, but not immediate- and not out of socket! PRAISE!

Knee: Excellent shape: PRAISE!

Fibula: Present, which means she doesn't have Fibular Hemimelia (very common with PFFD): PRAISE!

Ankle: In great shape: PRAISE!

Foot: Has all bones, in great shape: PRAISE!

And even physical therapist said all muscles are being used properly, even with the 2.5 inch difference, and didn't give us anything to really do! PRAISE!

Although she does have PFFD, it's very mild, she just has a short femur and that is it! They think we will be looking at a possible hip reconstruction within the next year (we will x-ray again in 6 months to see if her hip has matured and grown more into correct position) then 2-3 leg lengthening surgeries during her life. The first between ages 4-5, the second between 9-10 and then a possible 3rd when she is through growing. We will see at that point, where her legs are. For right now, we will just put about a 1 inch lift on her shoe to help with the discrepancy and build a shin muscle (which isn't formed well because she doesn't walk heel toe) and they may increase the lift over the next several months to even her out if she needs it.

All that being said, Charles and I are firm believers in healing. I mean, God is The Healer. Not just "pray her surgery goes well and pray we can all handle it", but we have been praying since October 3 that God would HEAL her leg. That the femur would physically grow out. That all of the bones would be in proper working order. That her left foot (which was almost guaranteed to be much smaller) would be of equal size. That while she was in China, her nannies would get to witness this healing first hand and know that it could only come from God. Matthew 9:22 says "Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well." And healing didn't just occur when Jesus was on Earth!  In Acts 3 it says "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Of course I love this verse because it talks about the lame walking. But also the gate called Beautiful. Part of Mamie's Chinese name, "Mei" means Beautiful. How about that? That's gonna be our girl, jumping to her feet and praising God for her healing!

And the first step? When we left China, Mamie's left foot was a 4 and her right foot was a 6. We know because we had to buy shoes over there because we lost one on the plan. Several pairs of shoes, considering we had to buy 2 of each pair we bought. We went last week to purchase her stylin' New Balance shoes for her lift... and her feet? I hadn't even noticed! But since we had gotten home, her left foot has grown from a size 4 to a 5.5. I'm not kidding. Her right foot? Hasn't grown a smidge. I am certain her left foot will fully catch up shortly, along with her femur. We are believing no surgeries for us and all we will have to remind us of PFFD will be her photos. Which God can use for some amazing Glory! Just to confirm this, I asked her doctor yesterday if "growing of the foot" was normal? Something they see often. And he laughed and said "um, no. I suggest you keep praying." Ha! So pray we will.

The Graduate

My first born. He's just precious. Really. The book on birth order? It was written based on this boy. Kind, loving, anal orderly, thoughtful, rough and tumble, all boy, rule follower, and did I say loving? And boy does he love Jesus. And us. And all 4 grandparents. And other family. And dinosaurs. And newly added, gems. And french fries. In that order. (His love of all things science did NOT come from me).
And now he's off to big school in the fall. I can hardly stand it! I always said I would never be the mom that cried dropping her child off at big school. Well sure, when they are 2 or 3 that seems heavenly. At school all day? Hot dog, sign me up! What I didn't realize, is that by age 5 (almost 6), they are FUN. They are easy. They are actually helpful to have around. And you enjoy their company. Makes me think for a brief second about homeschooling. But only briefly.
For his last day of school, he had a precious graduation ceremony... songs, performances with musical instruments, the whole nine yards. And I only cried a few times. Pretty much kept my composure. However, this same precious kid has not 1 but 2 loose teeth in the bottom. So loose they lay flat forward when pushed by the tongue. I think I may cry harder over him losing his first 2 teeth than graduation. Where does the time go?

 1st Day of School

 Last Day of School

 "The Grand Skip" down the aisle to his spot

 Receiving his diploma from Mrs. Harris

 5K Class

 An attempt at a family photo...we'll attempt again another time

 Reception (note the tongue pressing the teeth down)

 The boys toasting themselves. Ha!

 A picture with both sets of grandparents

And a little sneak peek, Tuesday I have an AMAZING update on Mamie after her doctor appointment. Stay tuned!

Happy Mother's Day to Me

Mother's Day is always sweet, yet somehow always chaotic. It also means the end of school, both grandmother's birthdays, and this year swim lessons and end of the year soccer party. All in one week. Enough to wear a momma out. But REALLY enough to wear Mamie out. Whoa, what a week she had. Which we paid for in lack of sleep and a few tantrums here and there, but who's counting? See I told you we weren't a total fairy tale! But so thankful for my awesome husband who gave me some time to relax, an attempt at sleeping in, and a by myself run to Costco. Heaven!

Each and every event was fun... just a little much, all smushed together into 1 week.So here goes...

 Maxwell's last game

Proud owner of a new trophy (with Coach Carl)- now it's Elliott's turn (like so soon, that we may be looking for one at a garage sale to appease him until the time comes.)

Go Lightening!

Headed to Mother's Day Art Show at School- One of my most favorite days of the year!

Mommy portrait by Maxwell Kown

 Maxwell and his buddies

 Elliott and his best bud Mary Charles- aren't they cute?!... Well they are when they smile

Me and all 3! One day we will get a cute picture. When the youngest is 6 maybe?

One Month Ago...

Our daughter was in an orphanage. And I can't help but wonder...

Did they get to see this face of excitement?

 Did she hold her head up for kisses and receive them in abundance?

Did she play with other friends like she does her cousins and brothers? And scream like any other toddler when they steal her favorite toy?

Did she eat them out of house and home?

Did she chase her friends around the orphanage, like she does her brothers? And squeal with excitement when someone caught her?

Did someone pick her up every time she held her hands up to them?

Did she hand someone her bow every time she took it out of her hair?

 

Did someone encourage her to get up and keep moving every time she lost her balance and fell down? Knowing full well what she was capable of?

Just pondering a few thoughts tonight on our 1st month with Mamie. Knowing very well the answers to all of these things. Overwhelmed with love for our daughter. And so thankful God chose her just for our family. And as of today (don't hold me to this, we ARE only one month in...) I would go back for another child tomorrow. And if you are even remotely contemplating the idea, it would take me less than 3 minutes to confirm to you that God is calling you to adopt as well. And I know just the place to get you started...

Our "Powerful Warrior Princess"

Really, the days just fly by! Of course, it is May... end of school, end of soccer, birthdays, mother's day, slip and slides, golf and let's not leave out our visit to the International Adoption Clinic. Oh boy. Now that was something. A few weeks after you get home with your child, you do a VERY through doctor visit. Filled with fun. The first part is actually great. We met with an attachment therapist who is wonderful! Answered all of our questions, told us what great parents we were ;), etc...honestly, she really did tell us Mamie was doing wonderful. She just fits right in to our family! Then the doctor came in and all was well there. She did the basics (kind of like a well check up with the pediatrician). However, they didn't confirm that Mamie was going to be the jolly green giant. They said she was only in the 25% for height! What?! I'm convinced that was INCORRECT. This girl is TALL. Then the fun really began.We had to have x-rays done of both legs. For those that don't know, Mamie has what is called PFFD, which basically means one femur is shorter than the other and generally comes with a hip issue as well. Well her legs are about 2.5inches different in length (which we already knew) but the x-ray confirmed some hip issues as well. How the x-ray tech found out, I will never know. Because I have told you before, our daughter is serious STRONG. In order to get these said x-rays, it took me, Charles AND a lab worker to hold her down, while she fought/screamed/thrashed with all of her might. But somehow, some way, those x-rays came through. Thank goodness because I can't imagine doing them again! Side Note: We will begin meeting with an orthopedic soon to lay out a plan for Mamie- however we are still believing complete healing in Jesus name for this girl! But I digress... because at this point in the appointment, really the fun had only just begun. Next was blood work. Strong? Oh my word. Due to the nature of Charles and his queasiness to all things medical, he exited stage left here. So it was me and the 2 nurses, who both agreed that she was the strongest (in will and strength I'm sure) child they had ever had. After 45 minutes of being pinned down, screaming, thrashing, blowing 2 veins, throwing up, sweating from head to toe (all 4 of us), learning she was double jointed in both arms, etc... she finally collapsed onto me in a deep sleep, where they got veins in her hand to work, drew the million viles of blood necessary, and I'm sure very gladly sent us on our way. Only to learn we have to do this again in 6 months. Please begin praying with us now!
The good part of yesterday? To know that IF we do indeed have a long road ahead of us medically, this little fighter will have NO problem dealing with it. Really, we aren't concerned about her in the least!

A few weeks ago, there was a post in an online adoption group that I'm in, describing children from Mamie's province- Guangxi. Charles and I got a kick out of it, however, a lot of this is so true for our daughter! And we really appreciate all the research this father did. Although Mamie hasn't proved to be defiant, she certainly fits most other categories below. Enjoy the excerpt here: 

If you think of Guangxi as being like a place of transitions and meetings --
like a region of crossings, mixings, and clashing -- it might help understand a
lot, including your future daughter. The geography changes dramatically from
ocean shore to rice fields to mountains, the people are from all sorts of ethnic
minority groups, and everything about the place has been about people coming and
going, crossing, and either mixing or clashing with each other. Many of the
mountain ethnic groups resisted and rebelled against the domination of Chinese
emperors' armies across many dynasties. Part of the reason the place is called
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is that the Communists realized they wouldn't
really conquer the place, and could only try to co-opt its people...

Once my wife and I realized that our defiant, muscular, seemingly misbehaving
three-year-old was a mountain child, hard-wired over 2,000 years to rebel
against any conquering force, including "the Americans" (as she described us to
her foster mother), it all made sense, and we were much more successful as
parents of a powerful warrior princess. Good luck. You're probably gonna need
it. (written by a father of a Guangxi girl)

Her look of concentration

Playing outside

Maxwell helping her dress up- which I love, because this boy DOESN'T DO GIRLY

Siblings

So the boys ADORE Mamie. So much so, that they wake up with the sun, just to come into our room and see her. Sort of cute, if only it was closer to the sevens than the fives. Oh well... we could have much worse. But this does leave for some tired boys at the end of the day.

Maxwell is a big helper and loves to carry her around, play gently with her, and teach her things. So she really loves him. Elliott likes to play with her stuff too. So the sharing isn't coming so easily there. Oh and he has no sense of personal space. Also a problem. Although I know Mamie and Elliott will become the best of friends, right now it's more of a referee match. (They ARE only 19 months apart).

Our funny little Elliott is always good for a laugh and these are his current ones:
Every time we see a child from China, he assumes they are adopted. Costco. See an Asian family and he yells "mom, they adopted a boy AND a girl!" Library. "mom, that little girl is adopted just like Mamie!". Nope both just Asian families. Adoption is a tricky thing ya know?
And another one... he goes to school the other day and his teacher asks him how Mamie is doing. His response "she's really disappointing". Ha! Pretty sure he just wanted to use a big word he had heard somewhere? Or maybe he is picking up on the fact that she doesn't love her personal space being invaded? Whatever it was, it was funny.

So these days we are loving our time together. At the park, playing dress up, in the sand box. You name it, we are participating in some family fun! And the house cleaning and clothes washing? Ah... they can wait.