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It has been a
really long summer and we are thrilled to be home! Mia
did very well with the Ponseti method and Dr. Ponseti
was wonderful to watch. He is 92 years old and weekly
trains doctors from all over the US and abroad. During
our appts. he was training a doctor from Arizona, Spain,
Germany, and Australia. He is such a giving and kind
man. I told him that his hearing was excellent but he
might have lost some hearing after his last appt. with
Mia!
Dr. Ponseti has
wonderful staff that were so helpful during our stay.
It is a wonderful place and we feel blessed that we
could take Mia there.
Mia had a
tenotomy where they cut her tendon. The put some
medicine on the outside where they make the incision.
Since she does not have feeling on the top of bottom of
most of her foot we did not know if she would have
feeling inside where they cut the tendon. My Mom came
with me during the appt. and I told her it would be a
wonderful sign if Mia cried because that would mean she
had feeling inside. Well....she had feeling and let
everyone know it!
After 3 1/2 weeks
of staying with my parents and going back and forth to
Iowa City, it was nice to be finished for awhile. My
parents and sisters helped out so much and we are
forever thankful. They took turns watching Sarah and
Caroline while I drove Mia back and forth.
Mia has been such
a trooper going through so much this summer. She has
beamed and blossomed since we have returned home. All 3
girls are settled and are happy to be in their routine
again. Caroline and Sarah ran up to their rooms to see
their things. Caroline was especially excited to see
her rock collection and Sarah missed her bed.
Mia's cast had
some problems last weekend where she had crawled off the
protective cotton barrier. We had a sock over the cast
to protect the hardwood floors. That night when I took
it off to inspect her toes, I was so sad to see that the
cast had deeply cut into a small area of her foot and
toes. Without going into gross detail, her foot could
not go two more weeks until our new appt. with the local
Ped. Ortho. Each time she crawled or pulled up, the
cast cut into her foot more. The new doctor was less
than helpful and the receptionist was extremely rude.
After many phone calls we got permission to have a local
brace and prosthetic specialist to help Mia's cast. He
has 2 children from Korea and one from Guatemala. We
had a nice time talking to him and he worked hard on her
cast to prevent future damage. We are hoping and
praying that her foot is fine for the final casting
process.
Her cast will
come off on Sept. 30th and she will be measured for day
braces. Starting on the 30th she will wear a special
brace with a long metal bar in between. Once the day
braces are made, she will wear those full time during
the day and the brace with the bar in between will be
worn at night. It is called the Mitchell brace. We
were able to meet John Mitchell and his wife Gene and
found out they are in the process of adopting from
Guatemala.
Mia is fascinated
with shoes trying to try them on daily on her non-club
foot. We think she will be thrilled when she can wear
her day braces with shoes and follow her sisters!
Thanks for all of
your prayers and support,
List of Events
9/12 - Accepted Mia's
referral
3/21 - Shopping!!!
2/27 - Travel Approval
4/8 - We are
Home!!!
3/1 - Consulate Appointment
5/26 - Surgery update
3/3
- Travel Plans Complete
6/18 - Surgery Prayer
Request
3/13 - Forever Day
6/27 - Surgery
3/14 - Chang De Visit
7/1 - Making progress
3/15 - Girls photos
7/13 - Back home and happy
3/16 - Embroidery
Institute
7/25 - Casting update
3/17 - Changsha to
Guangzhou
8/2 - 4th Cast day
3/18 - First day with group
8/25 - Home from Iowa
3/19 - Caroline's Birthday
10/24 - Ready to
enjoy life
3/20 - Medical appointment
3/2/07 -
She's Walking
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