Natasha has a problem with her feet, namely that both of them are rotated inwards too much. This is a problem that I remember my brother and sister having many years ago and for which they had special shoes. Natasha has had special inserts in her shoes for a while, but to no effect. It seems that in the last year or so the problem has become worse.
Marion recently took her to see a specialist and after an examination and a CT scan we heard the specialists opinion: the rotation is so bad, 30 degrees, that it is unlikely that she will grow out of the problem and therefore it needs to be addresses operatively. The operation involves sawing through the thigh bone of each leg, rotating the lower part of her leg and refixing the bones with metal plates. It requires that she spends 6 weeks on crutches after the operation, if we do one leg at a time, and it will be 3 months before she can do sport. If we choose to do both legs at the same time, she will need to be in a wheelchair for 6 weeks.
This is hard news to hear. There's no immediate rush so we have time to decide when it should be done. But we have to make a hard decision: 1 leg at a time, 2 operations and no sport for 6 months or 2 legs, one operation, a wheelchair and no sport for 3 months. Difficult.
But I have to say that I find the whole thing scary. The idea that our so precious Nattie has to undergo medevial torture, the idea that we're going to be back in hospital, the fear that something might go wrong, is a new a difficult load to even begin to consider. Again I have the feeling that all the things I love are being attacked for some reason.
Why us? Why now? Why at all?
Oh, and by the way, I should not have opened my mouth about sleeping better. I've just had three terrible nights. The first two were so bad that I ended up swallowing a half sleeping tablet at 3am. But I refuse to build up the side effects again, so last night I just suffered. The result is that I've been more than normally zombie-like today. Have an evening meeting in Amsterdam this evening and I wonder just how much use I'll be?
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Like London buses, worries come in (at least) threes. Please give Nattie the biggest hug n kiss from Aunty Ali n me. No doubt Alison will have a care package in the post to Nattie before too long! Thinking of you all always. Dom n Ali :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a blow for poor Nattie and you all. I guess Nattie will make the decision herself to some degree. I understand your concerns but try to hold onto the fact that this situation is not like Kay's. A hug coming over for all the family.
ReplyDeleteSharon x
i feel for all of you, having to face this. Having to be brave for Nattie and facing the hospital again. And what a hard decision to make! I'm glad there's no rush so that all of you can think it through. hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I'm so sorry. Also for Nattie. How did she react to this? Is she scared? The idea alone is hard, to imagine this beiing done to you're perfect and healthy child. The only good thing is that it keeps us from complaining about stuff. Poor Rob, poor Marion... What is the meaning of this much stress in one life / family? It's very unfair if you ask us. Big hug Nicolette
ReplyDeleteOh good grief! Poor Nattie, poor Marion, poor you.
ReplyDeleteAll the non-stop worry is exhausting for us to read - it's no wonder you are so tired.
But focusing on the outcome Rob - the result will be that Nattie feels better, not just now, but in later life. Oddly enough, one of Em's friends had a similar op to Nattie a few years ago - her leg is brilliant now - and by coincidence, my niece is having a 2-leg op, which will leave her 'double-potted' in February - this is just to the knee – tendons and muscles, so won't take so long, but still traumatic.
What a horrible decision for you to have to take re timing – can you talk to someone who has gone through it before? Hope the docs will advise.
But as ever, hang in there Rob. No-one will ever understand why so many horrible things are happening at once, keep telling your blogging pals and we’ll do our utmost to offer support from afar.
Just wish it could be tangible, practical help.
Much love to all of you.
Give Nattie a hug from me – oh and have one for yourself, Marion and Lauren too!
Linda xx
Poor Nattie. And you having to go back to hospital. Jesus. If I was you/her I would do only 1 operation. 6 weeks in wheel chair and sporting sound better to me than clutches but twice as long.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you all a lot. lots of love. Isa
I don't expect you to approve this to show to anyone else, but how much shit are you expected to take? I am surprised how angry I feel for the unfairness of it. I'm not going to offer platitudes but I think I will be having a chat with him upstairs.
ReplyDeleteLesley x
Still following and thinking of you. How unfair. Don't know What to say today, but you are strong as a family, but there's so much you can take. Hang inthere, you just have to. X Ciel
ReplyDeletefor months I am reading your blog, but I have never posted a comment. Now I will because I think that your girl will get the same surgery as my son had when he was five years old.
ReplyDeleteThey did two legs at a time. He stayed in a wheelchair and on crutches for four months (at first they told us it would be six weeks). It's heavy, but we where glad that they did two legs at the same time because it would be twice the time if they did the legs seperately.
If you have anything you would like to know please feel free to contact me. All the best to you and your family.
greetings from Patricia
Hi Patricia, Thank you indeed for your message. I'm sure that we would like to hear about your experiences. Marion or I will contact you directly. Robert.
ReplyDelete