Re: To all pregnant mommies

[Guest guest]

,

I completely agree!! You are soooo right.

Mommy to (12-17-98) and

Christian (1-30-04) LCF - DBB (nights only)

_____

From: momshook2004

Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 8:20 AM

To: nosurgery4clubfoot

Subject: To all pregnant mommies

I know there are several pregnant mommies reading everyday and have

posted several times on this site. I wanted to personally say

welcome and add to others great advice already given. I hope all of

you read ee's recent post to Leigh. She gave great advice and

information! (way to go ee).

I wanted to touch on the topic of regret. You have all done so well

on researching clubfoot while the baby(ies)are in utero. If there

is anything I REGRET the most, it is not researching the topic while

I was pregnant. Quite honestly, I was in denial of the whole

topic. I kept telling myself she probably won't be born with

clubfeet, they are wrong, etc. So I did nothing during my

pregnancy. I also regret trusting my pediatricians and gyns

recommendation of this supposedly fantastic orthopaedic doctor who

really knows what he is doing, blah, blah, blah.

When was born with severe bilateral clubfoot, I was so ashamed

of her condition. I was so ashamed, I would not take any pictures

of her feet. The pictures I did take I made sure her feet were not

in them. I didn't want to remember this horrible condition she was

born with, etc. Of course, this is also right after I had a baby

and my hormones were off the charts!! Also, not knowing really

anything about the condition left me to mistakenly believe that I

would never get through this.

Now, after leaving my first ortho, who didn't know what he was doing

and finding the great ortho who does and researching and reading and

finding out how this condition is minor and how it can easily (I use

that word loosely) be fixed with the Ponseti Method and my daughter

will be just fine. I learned to accept her condition, be proud to

take her in public with the casts and DBB and not be ashamed. I

realized it will all be okay.

I regret not taking hundreds of pictures of her feet. I wish I had

brought the camera to every cast change to take pictures of her feet

between each cast change.

So please find the perfect doctor for your little ones who truly

follows the Ponseti Method. Take 100's of pictures. Don't have any

regrets during this treatment. Take it from me!

I love , she is so special and I have loved her dearly since

day 1. It took me a long time to love her little feet, which was

absolutely unnecessary and it was all because of my ignorance of

clubfeet and the treatment of clubfoot.

Good luck and welcome to our family!!

3-2-05 bcf, s 14-16/7 and

Austin 12-29-01, perfect feet

[Guest guest]

interesting threads here ..

I am one of the moms with regrets.. I regret the overwhelming sadness

and despair I felt after being surprised at delivery, and how it

affected those early days when I should've been delighting in our new

daughter. I was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even say the

word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I remember wishing there

was some other term for it.) I look at the video of me holding our

baby when she was just minutes old, and the strain and sadness on my

face breaks my heart.. when I should've been so happy and focused on

her, not my fear. If only I had known, and had a glimpse into the

future of how well she would do, and how normal she'd be.. I

wouldn've saved myself, her, my husband, all of us.. much grief.

I remember sobbing later in the delivery room.. and hearing another

mother wailing, down the hall.. I found out later that her baby had

died .. I am so ashamed that I was crying.. (of course hormones have

a way of taking over. those of us surprised at delivery have

challenges of different sorts.)

At home, I, too, covered up her foot, and took pictures from the

waist up.. I hate that I did that now.. I also regret it for

practical reasons, because I would love to have more pictures now, to

compare and see how far we came.. I have so few!

I felt at the time that it was almost the 'end of the world'; now I

paradoxically see the clubfoot as a blessing of sorts.. in how in

enriched our faith, strengthened our family.. I am so proud of my

child, how well she has done, what she has overcome. It truly is part

of her, part of us, and does indeed make her special in a way.

Through the experience, too, we have become part of this clubfoot

community and caught up in a passionate effort to help others learn

about treatment, which has been extremely rewarding, challenging and

interesting. Now, I don't hesitate at all to say the word 'clubfoot'

and am glad to talk about it, to anyone who will listen!

Dealing with a surprise of this kind can't help but make you realize

the mysteries of birth and the fragile nature of life.. and how

little we control. What we CAN control is how we deal with what we

are faced with, how we meet the challenge, how we are strong and help

our child get through whatever is ahead.

Things that seem disastrous at the time often turn out to be not as

bad as we have feared and even to enrich us in ways we never

imagined..

So, to the pregnant moms.. please do not let this sap the happiness

out of your pregnancies.. and especially the early days with your new

baby. Be proud, and cherish the new life in your family, however he

or she comes.. don't let fear get in the way of the joy! Your baby

needs you.. be strong!

Best wishes, from a mom who has been there,

[Guest guest]

, I bet that was a hard letter to write, but I commend you for it. I

suffered the shame too. 's feet were a surprise when he was born and at

first I was not worried at all, but then people started telling me it was my

fault (minutes post partum). I didn't want to look at his feet, I averted my

eyes from them. I thought this was all my fault although I didn't know how it

could be. How terrible a mother was I to do this to him! I think he was about

two days old before I finally unwrapped him in the privacy of my bedroom, all

alone, and forced myself to look, I mean really look at them. ThenI set my

mind towards fixing them - but I didn't know about Ponseti yet and it was a

disaster.

How weird all that seems now because how *normal* club foot is to us now! LOL!

When Evy was born I just scooped up them little feet and loved all over them.

s.

To all pregnant mommies

I know there are several pregnant mommies reading everyday and have

posted several times on this site. I wanted to personally say

welcome and add to others great advice already given. I hope all of

you read ee's recent post to Leigh. She gave great advice and

information! (way to go ee).

I wanted to touch on the topic of regret. You have all done so well

on researching clubfoot while the baby(ies)are in utero. If there

is anything I REGRET the most, it is not researching the topic while

I was pregnant. Quite honestly, I was in denial of the whole

topic. I kept telling myself she probably won't be born with

clubfeet, they are wrong, etc. So I did nothing during my

pregnancy. I also regret trusting my pediatricians and gyns

recommendation of this supposedly fantastic orthopaedic doctor who

really knows what he is doing, blah, blah, blah.

When was born with severe bilateral clubfoot, I was so ashamed

of her condition. I was so ashamed, I would not take any pictures

of her feet. The pictures I did take I made sure her feet were not

in them. I didn't want to remember this horrible condition she was

born with, etc. Of course, this is also right after I had a baby

and my hormones were off the charts!! Also, not knowing really

anything about the condition left me to mistakenly believe that I

would never get through this.

Now, after leaving my first ortho, who didn't know what he was doing

and finding the great ortho who does and researching and reading and

finding out how this condition is minor and how it can easily (I use

that word loosely) be fixed with the Ponseti Method and my daughter

will be just fine. I learned to accept her condition, be proud to

take her in public with the casts and DBB and not be ashamed. I

realized it will all be okay.

I regret not taking hundreds of pictures of her feet. I wish I had

brought the camera to every cast change to take pictures of her feet

between each cast change.

So please find the perfect doctor for your little ones who truly

follows the Ponseti Method. Take 100's of pictures. Don't have any

regrets during this treatment. Take it from me!

I love , she is so special and I have loved her dearly since

day 1. It took me a long time to love her little feet, which was

absolutely unnecessary and it was all because of my ignorance of

clubfeet and the treatment of clubfoot.

Good luck and welcome to our family!!

3-2-05 bcf, s 14-16/7 and

Austin 12-29-01, perfect feet

[Guest guest]

Amen.

s.

I am one of the moms with regrets.. I regret the overwhelming sadness

and despair I felt after being surprised at delivery, and how it

affected those early days when I should've been delighting in our new

daughter. I was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even say the

word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I remember wishing there

was some other term for it.) I look at the video of me holding our

baby when she was just minutes old, and the strain and sadness on my

face breaks my heart.. when I should've been so happy and focused on

her, not my fear. If only I had known, and had a glimpse into the

future of how well she would do, and how normal she'd be.. I

wouldn've saved myself, her, my husband, all of us.. much grief.

I remember sobbing later in the delivery room.. and hearing another

mother wailing, down the hall.. I found out later that her baby had

died .. I am so ashamed that I was crying.. (of course hormones have

a way of taking over. those of us surprised at delivery have

challenges of different sorts.)

At home, I, too, covered up her foot, and took pictures from the

waist up.. I hate that I did that now.. I also regret it for

practical reasons, because I would love to have more pictures now, to

compare and see how far we came.. I have so few!

I felt at the time that it was almost the 'end of the world'; now I

paradoxically see the clubfoot as a blessing of sorts.. in how in

enriched our faith, strengthened our family.. I am so proud of my

child, how well she has done, what she has overcome. It truly is part

of her, part of us, and does indeed make her special in a way.

Through the experience, too, we have become part of this clubfoot

community and caught up in a passionate effort to help others learn

about treatment, which has been extremely rewarding, challenging and

interesting. Now, I don't hesitate at all to say the word 'clubfoot'

and am glad to talk about it, to anyone who will listen!

Dealing with a surprise of this kind can't help but make you realize

the mysteries of birth and the fragile nature of life.. and how

little we control. What we CAN control is how we deal with what we

are faced with, how we meet the challenge, how we are strong and help

our child get through whatever is ahead.

Things that seem disastrous at the time often turn out to be not as

bad as we have feared and even to enrich us in ways we never

imagined..

So, to the pregnant moms.. please do not let this sap the happiness

out of your pregnancies.. and especially the early days with your new

baby. Be proud, and cherish the new life in your family, however he

or she comes.. don't let fear get in the way of the joy! Your baby

needs you.. be strong!

Best wishes, from a mom who has been there,

[Guest guest]

Thanks ee,

Again, great post to Leigh. I hope you don't mind I mentioned your name

in mine (too late now anyway, LOL!!!).

My eyes were full of water trying to type it, but since I am at work, I

had to contain myself. I meant every word.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

x374

fax

[Guest guest]

,

For me, it was guilt. What did I do wrong to cause this to my child? I took

my prenatals every day. I watched what I ate (everything - LOL) , I didn't

drink or smoke, etc. However, my kids are close in age and I worked 50 - 60

hour work weeks right to the end. I blamed my hectic schedule and not getting

the rest I needed. Crazy, but I think we all need to find a way to rationalize

what has happened. I didn't know that Jordan had a club foot until he was born.

I remember looking at him right after he was born and saying this isn't my son!

What a horrible thought. It still plays fresh in my mind. He had other

problems from a rough delivery so the club foot was the least of my problems

right then but I felt like I couldn't connect to him like I had with my first.

When family came to the hospital the first thing my brother said to me was What

did you do to my nephew? Well, I lost it and cried and cried. Insensitive of

him, I know, but he's a kid and didn't realize the hurt in his words.

Now, I am so over protective of him. I still get apprehensive when I take him

out in public. At his four month well visit I took him out of his car seat in

the waiting room and some of the other mommies just stared at his brace. I felt

like saying, he's just as normal as your kid he just needs a little

straightening out!! He's six months old this Saturday and he rolls over in both

directions and can sit unassisted. He is meeting all his milestones and even

though he is unilateral his legs are the same length and his calves are the same

size (so far). To me, he is perfect in every way, right down to his little

feet! The dbb is just an extension of him. Funny, now I can't imagine him

with out his brace. It is just a part of him.

I am fortunate for all that I have been blessed with. Sure, there have been

some bumps in the road but that's life. That's parenthood.

This board has helped me put alot of things in perspective. I thank everyone

for that. I am so greatful for all the information that this board provides. It

keeps me sane even if I don't get to post all that much (still working alot of

hours plus two kids under 2!). We all want what is best for our children and

this board is a great example of that.

Now, having a cf baby isn't so bad. Soon he will be an active toddler and the

world is his oyster. He will grow up an never remembering the casting or the

DBB (I hope). It will just be a memory for us....a memory that I will actually

cherish.

I wish I also had taken pictures of Jordan's foot prior to treatment but I

didn't take any. I didn't want any more reminders at the time. I also regret

that decision. Now that he is in the dbb I take a ton of pictures. Hopefully,

when my kids have kids they won't have clubfeet but if they do, I can show them

how we got through it!

Keri and Jordan unilateral rcf

To all pregnant mommies

I know there are several pregnant mommies reading everyday and have

posted several times on this site. I wanted to personally say

welcome and add to others great advice already given. I hope all of

you read ee's recent post to Leigh. She gave great advice and

information! (way to go ee).

I wanted to touch on the topic of regret. You have all done so well

on researching clubfoot while the baby(ies)are in utero. If there

is anything I REGRET the most, it is not researching the topic while

I was pregnant. Quite honestly, I was in denial of the whole

topic. I kept telling myself she probably won't be born with

clubfeet, they are wrong, etc. So I did nothing during my

pregnancy. I also regret trusting my pediatricians and gyns

recommendation of this supposedly fantastic orthopaedic doctor who

really knows what he is doing, blah, blah, blah.

When was born with severe bilateral clubfoot, I was so ashamed

of her condition. I was so ashamed, I would not take any pictures

of her feet. The pictures I did take I made sure her feet were not

in them. I didn't want to remember this horrible condition she was

born with, etc. Of course, this is also right after I had a baby

and my hormones were off the charts!! Also, not knowing really

anything about the condition left me to mistakenly believe that I

would never get through this.

Now, after leaving my first ortho, who didn't know what he was doing

and finding the great ortho who does and researching and reading and

finding out how this condition is minor and how it can easily (I use

that word loosely) be fixed with the Ponseti Method and my daughter

will be just fine. I learned to accept her condition, be proud to

take her in public with the casts and DBB and not be ashamed. I

realized it will all be okay.

I regret not taking hundreds of pictures of her feet. I wish I had

brought the camera to every cast change to take pictures of her feet

between each cast change.

So please find the perfect doctor for your little ones who truly

follows the Ponseti Method. Take 100's of pictures. Don't have any

regrets during this treatment. Take it from me!

I love , she is so special and I have loved her dearly since

day 1. It took me a long time to love her little feet, which was

absolutely unnecessary and it was all because of my ignorance of

clubfeet and the treatment of clubfoot.

Good luck and welcome to our family!!

3-2-05 bcf, s 14-16/7 and

Austin 12-29-01, perfect feet

[Guest guest]

was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even say the

> word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I remember wishing

there

> was some other term for it.)

I've thought the same thing my self...why " CLUB foot " ? Why not

turned foot? or bent foot? or maybe cute little monkey foot?

[Guest guest]

's dad was ashamed of the term clubfoot - I remember him asking the doctor

what the medical term for it was. The doc said, " Clubfoot " . haha

s.

Re: To all pregnant mommies

was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even say the

> word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I remember wishing

there

> was some other term for it.)

I've thought the same thing my self...why " CLUB foot " ? Why not

turned foot? or bent foot? or maybe cute little monkey foot?

[Guest guest]

You are all making me so weepy. I am just so touched by the display

of emotions here today. It is really wonderful that we can all come

together and share our feelings this way. I think it is great that

we have this group, and I for one am VERY glad I found you all.

When our ultrasound showed that Sammy would have clubfoot I was sad,

I soooo wanted him to be the perfect little boy baby just like my

Jenna was this beautiful perfect little girl baby. We were not

totally shocked by the news since I had clubfoot too, I was more

concerned because my OB wanted me to have further testing to rule out

other problems. So that testing took over the " worry " spot in my

head at first, then when those tests came back okay I was just so

relieved that I didn't even think about the clubfoot for a while.

Then we decided to wait until we had a follow up ultrasound where

they could look at his foot a little better before we would tell our

family. This time of not talking to anyone about it was killing me

so that's when I started doing my research and found out about

Ponseti and this group. I'm so grateful that I did find you all,

otherwise I'm not sure how I would have gotten through that time

period. Plus, by time we decided to tell everyone about his foot we

had all this information to tell them about how great the treatment

is now vs. when I was born. Anyway, that's just my thoughts -- you

guys are great!

>

> interesting threads here ..

>

> I am one of the moms with regrets.. I regret the overwhelming

sadness

> and despair I felt after being surprised at delivery, and how it

> affected those early days when I should've been delighting in our

new

> daughter. I was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even say

the

> word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I remember wishing there

> was some other term for it.) I look at the video of me holding our

> baby when she was just minutes old, and the strain and sadness on

my

> face breaks my heart.. when I should've been so happy and focused

on

> her, not my fear. If only I had known, and had a glimpse into the

> future of how well she would do, and how normal she'd be.. I

> wouldn've saved myself, her, my husband, all of us.. much grief.

>

> I remember sobbing later in the delivery room.. and hearing another

> mother wailing, down the hall.. I found out later that her baby had

> died .. I am so ashamed that I was crying.. (of course hormones

have

> a way of taking over. those of us surprised at delivery have

> challenges of different sorts.)

>

> At home, I, too, covered up her foot, and took pictures from the

> waist up.. I hate that I did that now.. I also regret it for

> practical reasons, because I would love to have more pictures now,

to

> compare and see how far we came.. I have so few!

>

> I felt at the time that it was almost the 'end of the world'; now I

> paradoxically see the clubfoot as a blessing of sorts.. in how in

> enriched our faith, strengthened our family.. I am so proud of my

> child, how well she has done, what she has overcome. It truly is

part

> of her, part of us, and does indeed make her special in a way.

>

> Through the experience, too, we have become part of this clubfoot

> community and caught up in a passionate effort to help others learn

> about treatment, which has been extremely rewarding, challenging

and

> interesting. Now, I don't hesitate at all to say the

word 'clubfoot'

> and am glad to talk about it, to anyone who will listen!

>

> Dealing with a surprise of this kind can't help but make you

realize

> the mysteries of birth and the fragile nature of life.. and how

> little we control. What we CAN control is how we deal with what we

> are faced with, how we meet the challenge, how we are strong and

help

> our child get through whatever is ahead.

>

> Things that seem disastrous at the time often turn out to be not as

> bad as we have feared and even to enrich us in ways we never

> imagined..

>

> So, to the pregnant moms.. please do not let this sap the happiness

> out of your pregnancies.. and especially the early days with your

new

> baby. Be proud, and cherish the new life in your family, however he

> or she comes.. don't let fear get in the way of the joy! Your baby

> needs you.. be strong!

>

> Best wishes, from a mom who has been there,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have had a lump in my throat too reading the posts for the past couple of

days. It brought all the emotions back of when we first found out about our

son's foot. We didn't know until he was born but I'm sure the feelings were

similar. Our biggest concern was of course the cruelty of other children.

I remember my husband telling me that we will just raise him to think that

foot is so special. it will never be an issue. I truly believe that! When

we got home from the hospital my husband did all the research and found this

group. It has helped so much, I am so grateful to all of you! Now we don't

even think about his foot. Weston is our first child so it is going to be

hard changing diapers without the DBB, etc. if our next one doesn't have a

cf. Just a side note. Weston took a nap today with his bar straight up in

the air for the whole nap. We have a video monitor and I just laughed and

laughed looking at him. Thank you all of you!! Lori

_____

From: jagrindon

Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 2:48 PM

To: nosurgery4clubfoot

Subject: Re: To all pregnant mommies

You are all making me so weepy. I am just so touched by the display

of emotions here today. It is really wonderful that we can all come

together and share our feelings this way. I think it is great that

we have this group, and I for one am VERY glad I found you all.

When our ultrasound showed that Sammy would have clubfoot I was sad,

I soooo wanted him to be the perfect little boy baby just like my

Jenna was this beautiful perfect little girl baby. We were not

totally shocked by the news since I had clubfoot too, I was more

concerned because my OB wanted me to have further testing to rule out

other problems. So that testing took over the " worry " spot in my

head at first, then when those tests came back okay I was just so

relieved that I didn't even think about the clubfoot for a while.

Then we decided to wait until we had a follow up ultrasound where

they could look at his foot a little better before we would tell our

family. This time of not talking to anyone about it was killing me

so that's when I started doing my research and found out about

Ponseti and this group. I'm so grateful that I did find you all,

otherwise I'm not sure how I would have gotten through that time

period. Plus, by time we decided to tell everyone about his foot we

had all this information to tell them about how great the treatment

is now vs. when I was born. Anyway, that's just my thoughts -- you

guys are great!

>

> interesting threads here ..

>

> I am one of the moms with regrets.. I regret the overwhelming

sadness

> and despair I felt after being surprised at delivery, and how it

> affected those early days when I should've been delighting in our

new

> daughter. I was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even say

the

> word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I remember wishing there

> was some other term for it.) I look at the video of me holding our

> baby when she was just minutes old, and the strain and sadness on

my

> face breaks my heart.. when I should've been so happy and focused

on

> her, not my fear. If only I had known, and had a glimpse into the

> future of how well she would do, and how normal she'd be.. I

> wouldn've saved myself, her, my husband, all of us.. much grief.

>

> I remember sobbing later in the delivery room.. and hearing another

> mother wailing, down the hall.. I found out later that her baby had

> died .. I am so ashamed that I was crying.. (of course hormones

have

> a way of taking over. those of us surprised at delivery have

> challenges of different sorts.)

>

> At home, I, too, covered up her foot, and took pictures from the

> waist up.. I hate that I did that now.. I also regret it for

> practical reasons, because I would love to have more pictures now,

to

> compare and see how far we came.. I have so few!

>

> I felt at the time that it was almost the 'end of the world'; now I

> paradoxically see the clubfoot as a blessing of sorts.. in how in

> enriched our faith, strengthened our family.. I am so proud of my

> child, how well she has done, what she has overcome. It truly is

part

> of her, part of us, and does indeed make her special in a way.

>

> Through the experience, too, we have become part of this clubfoot

> community and caught up in a passionate effort to help others learn

> about treatment, which has been extremely rewarding, challenging

and

> interesting. Now, I don't hesitate at all to say the

word 'clubfoot'

> and am glad to talk about it, to anyone who will listen!

>

> Dealing with a surprise of this kind can't help but make you

realize

> the mysteries of birth and the fragile nature of life.. and how

> little we control. What we CAN control is how we deal with what we

> are faced with, how we meet the challenge, how we are strong and

help

> our child get through whatever is ahead.

>

> Things that seem disastrous at the time often turn out to be not as

> bad as we have feared and even to enrich us in ways we never

> imagined..

>

> So, to the pregnant moms.. please do not let this sap the happiness

> out of your pregnancies.. and especially the early days with your

new

> baby. Be proud, and cherish the new life in your family, however he

> or she comes.. don't let fear get in the way of the joy! Your baby

> needs you.. be strong!

>

> Best wishes, from a mom who has been there,

>

>

[Guest guest]

With coming up on 7 years old this spring, he does wonder at times about

his feet. I tell him a couple things - first of all God doesn't make junk. And

second of all, God doesn't shut a door with out opening a window. What he lost

in his feet he gained in his brain, believe me! And with baseball for another

example, I just tell him straight up he'll never be a strong runner (cuz they

weren't fixed right and he's a poor runner) but he can be a strong hitter,

thrower, catcher - and all that makes up for lacking in speed. There's more

than one way to skin a cat, kwim? We don't try to hide the issue from him,

not minimize it or maximize it. It just is - a fact of life. He's pretty Ok

with it now I think.

s.

Our biggest concern was of course the cruelty of other children.

I remember my husband telling me that we will just raise him to think that

foot is so special. it will never be an issue. I truly believe that!

[Guest guest]

In the UK 'talipes' is used which sounds nicer I

guess.

In Germany it's 'Klumpfuss' (lump-foot) which I think

sounds even worse than 'clubfoot'. Not that I feel

ashamed using either term but in Germany at least it

seems to give people funny ideas about what it really

is....

with (*9/02)

and Alister (*9/02, RCF, Ponseti method, UK)

--- number23 number23@...> wrote:

> 's dad was ashamed of the term clubfoot - I

> remember him asking the doctor what the medical term

> for it was. The doc said, " Clubfoot " . haha

> s.

>

> Re: To all pregnant

> mommies

>

>

>

>

>

>

> was stricken with fear and couldn't bear to even

> say the

> > word " clubfoot " .. it sounded so horrible. (I

> remember wishing

> there

> > was some other term for it.)

>

>

> I've thought the same thing my self...why " CLUB

> foot " ? Why not

> turned foot? or bent foot? or maybe cute little

> monkey foot?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been thinking about this for a few weeks now, and maybe I'm

just crazy but I have been thinking about my clubfoot and Sammy's

from a different perspective. I keep thinking that maybe there's a

reason I was born w/ clubfoot and had it corrected w/ surgery (and

have problems now) and now Sammy has clubfoot and is having it

corrected w/ Ponseti. And then I had the fortune of finding this

group and being directed to Dr. Dobbs instead of the dr. our Ped.

recommended. Dr. Dobbs is a Washington University doctor and I work

for Washington University too. I just wonder if the whole thing

means that I'm supposed to " do " something with all of this -- I don't

mean like " god is calling me to do something " but just in general,

that maybe I'm supposed to get a job w/ Dr. Dobbs and help w/ his

research or just something clubfoot related. Do you all think I am

crazy or what?

> With coming up on 7 years old this spring, he does wonder at

times about his feet. I tell him a couple things - first of all God

doesn't make junk. And second of all, God doesn't shut a door with

out opening a window. What he lost in his feet he gained in his

brain, believe me! And with baseball for another example, I just

tell him straight up he'll never be a strong runner (cuz they

weren't fixed right and he's a poor runner) but he can be a strong

hitter, thrower, catcher - and all that makes up for lacking in

speed. There's more than one way to skin a cat, kwim? We don't

try to hide the issue from him, not minimize it or maximize it. It

just is - a fact of life. He's pretty Ok with it now I think.

> s.

>

>

>

> Our biggest concern was of course the cruelty of other children.

> I remember my husband telling me that we will just raise him to

think that

> foot is so special. it will never be an issue. I truly believe

that!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't think you're crazy at all! I can understand completely how you

could be led towards something like that. And, I'm sure you would do

wonderful things given your knowledge and perspective.

Keep us posted!

Bess

mommy to Elena, 3/31/00 and Audrey, 9/27/03 (bcf, dbb 12 hrs/day)

At 09:53 AM 2/18/2005, you wrote:

>I have been thinking about this for a few weeks now, and maybe I'm

>just crazy but I have been thinking about my clubfoot and Sammy's

>from a different perspective. I keep thinking that maybe there's a

>reason I was born w/ clubfoot and had it corrected w/ surgery (and

>have problems now) and now Sammy has clubfoot and is having it

>corrected w/ Ponseti. And then I had the fortune of finding this

>group and being directed to Dr. Dobbs instead of the dr. our Ped.

>recommended. Dr. Dobbs is a Washington University doctor and I work

>for Washington University too. I just wonder if the whole thing

>means that I'm supposed to " do " something with all of this -- I don't

>mean like " god is calling me to do something " but just in general,

>that maybe I'm supposed to get a job w/ Dr. Dobbs and help w/ his

>research or just something clubfoot related. Do you all think I am

>crazy or what?

>

>

>

>

>

> > With coming up on 7 years old this spring, he does wonder at

>times about his feet. I tell him a couple things - first of all God

>doesn't make junk. And second of all, God doesn't shut a door with

>out opening a window. What he lost in his feet he gained in his

>brain, believe me! And with baseball for another example, I just

>tell him straight up he'll never be a strong runner (cuz they

>weren't fixed right and he's a poor runner) but he can be a strong

>hitter, thrower, catcher - and all that makes up for lacking in

>speed. There's more than one way to skin a cat, kwim? We don't

>try to hide the issue from him, not minimize it or maximize it. It

>just is - a fact of life. He's pretty Ok with it now I think.

> > s.

> >

> >

> >

> > Our biggest concern was of course the cruelty of other children.

> > I remember my husband telling me that we will just raise him to

>think that

> > foot is so special. it will never be an issue. I truly believe

>that!

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I don't think you are crazy at all! Everytime I leave Shriner's and

drive 4 hours home, I think about how if I didn't live four hours

away how I would love to work there with clubfoot babies (I'm a RN).

But not from 4 hours away!

Pam and (8-12-01)

> > With coming up on 7 years old this spring, he does wonder

at

> times about his feet. I tell him a couple things - first of all

God

> doesn't make junk. And second of all, God doesn't shut a door with

> out opening a window. What he lost in his feet he gained in his

> brain, believe me! And with baseball for another example, I just

> tell him straight up he'll never be a strong runner (cuz they

> weren't fixed right and he's a poor runner) but he can be a strong

> hitter, thrower, catcher - and all that makes up for lacking in

> speed. There's more than one way to skin a cat, kwim? We don't

> try to hide the issue from him, not minimize it or maximize it.

It

> just is - a fact of life. He's pretty Ok with it now I think.

> > s.

> >

> >

> >

> > Our biggest concern was of course the cruelty of other children.

> > I remember my husband telling me that we will just raise him to

> think that

> > foot is so special. it will never be an issue. I truly believe

> that!

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm one of those pregnant mommies who has silently benefited

from the posts on this site over the past few weeks. This

group is sure a treasure chest. I'm thankful that our Dr.

(Dr. Schwend in Albuquerque, NM) pointed us to it.

We found out at our 18 week ultrasound that our unborn daughter

had at least one clubfoot (the docs cannot seem to agree as

to whether it's unilateral or bilateral). At that visit, the

radiologist (one of the best in the country, mind you) scared the

living daylights out of me with tales of all of the other disorders

that can be associated with clubfoot (some of which he said were

lethal). The combination of his words and some internet research I

did later in the day (note to self: phd in physics does not qualify

one to properly interpret medical journals!!) made me very fearful

about what else may have been wrong with our baby. By the end of

the next couple of days, the thought of " just a clubfoot " sounded

wonderful to us.

The upshot is that a discussion with a genetic counselor and a

level three ultrasound really helped to calm us down (we didn't

do an amnio because of the risks involved). Hearing that cf was

a relatively common birth defect, and very often isolated, was

comforting. As was the lack of any other problem on the level three

ultrasound.

Since then, perinatalogists have been routinely monitoring the

baby with ultrasounds (weekly now), because of the remaining 1%

chance that there could be another problem (and because of some

indications that preterm labor may be a risk - LOTS of Braxton

Hicks & a short cervix). To date (32 weeks), everything looks

great.

We're thrilled to have a Ponseti doc (Schwend) in Albuquerque (just 2

hours away). Having a consultation with him before the birth was

a big help (at least in preparing us somewhat for what is to

come & reassuring us that he's following the Ponseti method

quite rigorously). And we've been learning a tremendous amount

from this group (and already received some great clothing from

the Swap group - thanks !!).

I'm guessing we have about 5 weeks or so to go (our first daughter

was born at 37 weeks, without clubfeet). Looking forward to

kissing those feet & being grateful for God's gift.

Grateful for all of you too!

Kim New

Tessa 7/17/2002

Baby Girl expected in March/April 2005 (left or bilateral cf)

>

> I know there are several pregnant mommies reading everyday and have

> posted several times on this site. I wanted to personally say

> welcome and add to others great advice already given. I hope all

of

> you read ee's recent post to Leigh. She gave great advice and

> information! (way to go ee).

>

> I wanted to touch on the topic of regret. You have all done so

well

> on researching clubfoot while the baby(ies)are in utero. If there

> is anything I REGRET the most, it is not researching the topic

while

> I was pregnant. Quite honestly, I was in denial of the whole

> topic. I kept telling myself she probably won't be born with

> clubfeet, they are wrong, etc. So I did nothing during my

> pregnancy. I also regret trusting my pediatricians and gyns

> recommendation of this supposedly fantastic orthopaedic doctor who

> really knows what he is doing, blah, blah, blah.

>

> When was born with severe bilateral clubfoot, I was so

ashamed

> of her condition. I was so ashamed, I would not take any pictures

> of her feet. The pictures I did take I made sure her feet were not

> in them. I didn't want to remember this horrible condition she was

> born with, etc. Of course, this is also right after I had a baby

> and my hormones were off the charts!! Also, not knowing really

> anything about the condition left me to mistakenly believe that I

> would never get through this.

>

> Now, after leaving my first ortho, who didn't know what he was

doing

> and finding the great ortho who does and researching and reading

and

> finding out how this condition is minor and how it can easily (I

use

> that word loosely) be fixed with the Ponseti Method and my daughter

> will be just fine. I learned to accept her condition, be proud to

> take her in public with the casts and DBB and not be ashamed. I

> realized it will all be okay.

>

> I regret not taking hundreds of pictures of her feet. I wish I had

> brought the camera to every cast change to take pictures of her

feet

> between each cast change.

>

> So please find the perfect doctor for your little ones who truly

> follows the Ponseti Method. Take 100's of pictures. Don't have

any

> regrets during this treatment. Take it from me!

>

> I love , she is so special and I have loved her dearly since

> day 1. It took me a long time to love her little feet, which was

> absolutely unnecessary and it was all because of my ignorance of

> clubfeet and the treatment of clubfoot.

>

> Good luck and welcome to our family!!

>

>

> 3-2-05 bcf, s 14-16/7 and

> Austin 12-29-01, perfect feet

[Guest guest]

Welcome Kim.

It sounds like you are well on your way and ready for the new arrival.

Keep us posted during her treatment.

Have a healthy delivery and let us know when she arrives!

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

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x374

fax