So brave....

Michael and I have been working on correcting Levi's positional clubfoot every day since our first appointment with Dr. Tuck after the little guy was born. At first, we were instructed to do the exercises after every diaper change. This was fine - except Levi despised getting his diaper changed and wasn't very relaxed, making the exercises not very pleasant. At our first follow up, Dr. Tuck said we had made some progress - but he was still concerned that the horizontal crease on the bottom of both of Levi's feet was still present. If in four weeks the creases weren't gone, Levi was most likely going to have to get casts on his legs and feet.

We were sent home with the same assignment - exercises regularly throughout the day - but this time, pick a time when Levi is relaxed. So instead of doing them after his diaper was changed (which he now LOVES), we switched to after he ate. We had four weeks to make progress - our goal was to get the creases to go away. As the next appointment approached, I knew deep down that casts were in sight. The creases just weren't going away and as often as we did the exercises, Levi was naturally pulling his feet in for comfort.

My thoughts were validated yesterday (7/8/10) when Dr. Tuck confirmed my fears. Levi was going to have to have a set of casts put on....tomorrow. As any mother would do, I started to think of all the bad things - would he be comfortable? would it hurt? would he be able to be swaddled at night? would he be able to swing in his swing? I'm sure deep down Michael was thinking these things - but he repeatedly reminded me that in a few weeks this will all be over. His feet will be perfectly normal and we can put this all behind us. I keep trying to remind myself of this.....

Levi was a champ today. With a full belly and a room full of interesting things to stare at (a light, a venetian blind, Dr. Tuck), he laid quietly as Dr. Tuck positioned his foot and wrapped the casts on. He actually cooed and cracked a smile, while I sat and wiped away tears. I couldn't believe I was doing it - but I actually took pictures while Dr. Tuck worked his magic. I figured that later in life when this is all behind us, they'll be nice to have.

Here are the series of pictures of my brave little man.....

Waiting for Dr. Tuck in the waiting room. His feet are slightly cut out of the picture, but you can see how he pulls them in:

"Hey, Mom! Why are you crying?!"

"I'm fine! Dr. Tuck and nurse Beth are going to make my feet all better!"

Half way done...

On our way home....sound asleep....

Levi,

I have no doubt in my mind that you will do great the entire time these casts are on your legs. You are one brave little boy and I love you so much.

xoxo,

Mommy