The "S" word is better than the "A" word.

Kielah had an appointment this morning in Dallas at TSRHC.

As previously mentioned, the word amputate instantly makes me want to cry and/or vomit. So clearly, last night I couldn't fall asleep until about 2am and still managed to wake up every single hour. 

This morning, Kielah woke up happy about life, but when she remembered she was going to the doctor, she automatically started crying about not wanting to get a shot. (Thanks, IV😂) After she realized her prosthetic doctor doesn't give shots, we were ready to go.

Fast forward to the appointment.

The doctor came in and asked all the things he always asks (pain, range of motion, can she walk on her foot without the prosthesis on, etc). The only difference this time is that Kielah has in fact been having pain, and has been telling me and her dad that her knee is hurting on a regular basis for no apparent reasons. Her doctor pulled up Kielah's previous X-rays, and informed us that she will need to have a SUPERhip surgery in early 2018. (Cue the tears😭)

(Surgery is better than amputation though...Priorities with a child that has PFFD)

Here's her X-rays from right before she turned one in 2014 compared to her X-rays taken right before she turned three in 2016.

2014                                 2016

Good News!

As you can tell, her femur has grown, and the bottom ACTUALLY looks like a real bone now! The bone has straightened out, and it is trying SO hard to be where it's supposed to be!

Not So Great News.

Her hip looks pretty much the same. The anatomy hasn't changed. However, the position is VERY obviously lower. You can tell by the pelvic region that her left hip if significantly lower than the right. The socket isn't formed correctly, and the tendons and ligaments are pulling her hip down because the bone isn't very strong. She'll have to have surgery to help strengthen it. This surgeon described this surgery as "not major, but not minor. Kind of in between." She'll be in the hospital for a couple of days in Dallas. People might wonder if I would rather her have this surgery in Abilene, and the answer is a definite NO.

Her surgeon is literally world renowned for what he does. He speaks in multiple countries every month out of the year over these types of procedures. If my child has to have a surgery, I definitely want someone who is known around the world for performing this exact surgery.

If you're curious about what this surgery involves, check out this link.

Kielah won't be having limb lengthening, so that part of the article won't be for Kielah. She's having it to just strengthen the hip so she can play sports or do anything else without pain.

Ask me any questions if you're interested!! 

Hi, my name is Katie, and my child has a prosthetic.

OH. MY. GOODNESS. 😑

When you think of people who need prosthetics, you probably think of veterans, not a three year old. I completely understand that. I have no problem with that. That's EXACTLY what my first thought was when the doctors told us Kielah would eventually need one.

BUT HERE'S THE ISSUE.

If you see my child somewhere, and you are curious what is on her leg:

ASK ME.

• Do not stare. 
• Do not give her weird looks. 
• Do not poke your friend and point to my child and speak. 
• Do not keep looking into space then looking back at her because I CAN TELL.

It's not a normal everyday thing to see a toddler with an apparatus on her leg. I GET IT! However, if your child had something special about her, and someone was staring at him or her, would you be upset? Yes. 

I don't mind questions, and most parents in my situation don't. 

In fact, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. 

If you are staring at my child, it should be because she is CUTE. AS. HECK. Not because she has "something on her leg."

-Rant over-

Well, here we go!

Well hello there! :)

This is my first blog post so I still have to get the hang of it.

Let's start off with a little background:

Kielah at 1 day old!

Kielah was born in 2013. I was 20 years old when she was born. I had a c-section, so I didn't get to see as soon as I had her. When her dad and the nurse came into the recovery room, they told me that for some reason Kielah's left leg was shorter than her right. 

Kie right after birth. *Check out that hair!*

Thankfully, we have an amazing pediatrician who got us in with doctors at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children when she was only a week old. 

Fast forward three years, three prosthetics, and a few terrifying moments (which will be elaborated on at a later time) later, and now we have this sassy little girl!

Kielah on picture day - 2017.