Re: update on grace boothe

February 9, 2005

,

I'm so sorry.

Have you thought about calling Dr. Ponseti to discuss it with him

instead of communicating via email? Were you able to gather up her

medical records to have the whole team in Iowa review them for you?

Hang in there- and know that we're here to support you and Grace!

&

>

> I had an appointment with Dr Frick again yesterday to discuss

Graces

> rockerbottom and other issues. I was planning to just take her to

> Dr Ponseti. I sent him an email explaining that no one was

agreeing

> on what treatment was best for Grace and that I would like to

bring

> her to Iowa to be treated. Well, this was probably a month ago

and

> I never heard back. Instead he contacted Dr Frick and Dr Frick

sent

> me an email saying he would be happy to see Grace again. Well, I

> took Grace to Dr Frick yesterday a little optimistic that he would

> cast her at Dr Ponseti's recommendation and that it would

> miraculously help. When we got there he said casts will not

help.

> Then he discussed surgery again. So now I have to decide between

> surgery or going to discuss the Ilizarov with Dr Herzenberg. Dr

> Herzenberg and Dr Ponseti are both recommending that Grace not

have

> surgery..........however I dont think Dr Ponsetis idea to just

> remold with casts will help at all and Im not sure if I can deal

> with all that goes along with the Ilizarov method. It is a very

big

> ordeal. Anyways I know no one can really offer an advice, just

> thought I would share Graces latest update. Thanks for listening,

>

February 9, 2005

If I were you, I would strongly consider Dr. Ponseti's suggestion of

casting first. It can probably work if it is done correctly and by the

right doctor. And if it doesn't improve the situation, at least you tried

first. I know this would delay things further, but in my mind I would try

everything possible before surgery. If Dr. Ponseti is too far, go to Dr.

Herzenberg.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

February 9, 2005

I know this is a non surgery list and I hope I donâ€™t get totally

spammed for this butâ€¦

It sounds like you have made your mind up that surgery will be best

for you and your daughter, and that is ok. If surgery is your option

then go into it with an open mind and positive attitude. You did

what you could for her first and now this is what your option is. If

I remember your previous post you were working with some really good

doctors. Just because she has surgery doesnâ€™t mean her life will be

ruined or she will never walk. A lot of people have had surgery on

there clubfeet and they are just fine. You have and are doing the

best thing for your daughter. I know surgery isnâ€™t your first option

but I am sure glad that we live in a nation where it is an option and

can be done well and painlessly. Good luck in what ever you decide.

IMHO,

February 9, 2005

Aw Jen that's awful. What are you going to do?

s.

update on grace boothe

I had an appointment with Dr Frick again yesterday to discuss Graces

rockerbottom and other issues. I was planning to just take her to

Dr Ponseti. I sent him an email explaining that no one was agreeing

on what treatment was best for Grace and that I would like to bring

her to Iowa to be treated. Well, this was probably a month ago and

I never heard back. Instead he contacted Dr Frick and Dr Frick sent

me an email saying he would be happy to see Grace again. Well, I

took Grace to Dr Frick yesterday a little optimistic that he would

cast her at Dr Ponseti's recommendation and that it would

miraculously help. When we got there he said casts will not help.

Then he discussed surgery again. So now I have to decide between

surgery or going to discuss the Ilizarov with Dr Herzenberg. Dr

Herzenberg and Dr Ponseti are both recommending that Grace not have

surgery..........however I dont think Dr Ponsetis idea to just

remold with casts will help at all and Im not sure if I can deal

with all that goes along with the Ilizarov method. It is a very big

ordeal. Anyways I know no one can really offer an advice, just

thought I would share Graces latest update. Thanks for listening,

February 9, 2005

, I'm sorry that you guys are going through such a tough

situation here. I know that you don't think that casting, as

suggested by Dr. Ponseti, would work for the rockerbottom, but do

think that it would hurt? Was Dr. Ponseti optimistic that it might

work or was it just a suggestion that he *hopes might work. In any

case, I think that I would go to Iowa and just see first if Dr.

Ponseti is able to work any of his magic before consenting to the

surgery.

I know that it's a tough decision. Good luck with it and if you

need to vent, we're here to listen and support you hon!

Take care,

Daiga

>

> I had an appointment with Dr Frick again yesterday to discuss

Graces

> rockerbottom and other issues. I was planning to just take her to

> Dr Ponseti. I sent him an email explaining that no one was

agreeing

> on what treatment was best for Grace and that I would like to bring

> her to Iowa to be treated. Well, this was probably a month ago and

> I never heard back. Instead he contacted Dr Frick and Dr Frick

sent

> me an email saying he would be happy to see Grace again. Well, I

> took Grace to Dr Frick yesterday a little optimistic that he would

> cast her at Dr Ponseti's recommendation and that it would

> miraculously help. When we got there he said casts will not help.

> Then he discussed surgery again. So now I have to decide between

> surgery or going to discuss the Ilizarov with Dr Herzenberg. Dr

> Herzenberg and Dr Ponseti are both recommending that Grace not have

> surgery..........however I dont think Dr Ponsetis idea to just

> remold with casts will help at all and Im not sure if I can deal

> with all that goes along with the Ilizarov method. It is a very

big

> ordeal. Anyways I know no one can really offer an advice, just

> thought I would share Graces latest update. Thanks for listening,

>

February 9, 2005

,

This must be awful for you. I know that Dr Ponseti thinks highly of Dr

Frick, but it doesn't hurt to find out everything that you can before

making a final decision.

How about trying to phone Dr Ponseti? He's usually there Mon/Wed/Fri.

It might be easier to talk it through than send an email.

And maybe call Dr Herzenberg's nurse first to ask for numbers of

families who have done the Iliazarov technique (if you haven't already),

it might help to hear their experiences.

Sorry I can't help, but I am sending you my best wishes (across the

miles from South Africa) for your Grace's treatment, she's lucky to have

such a concerned mom.

www.clubfoot.co.za

>

> I had an appointment with Dr Frick again yesterday to discuss

Graces

> rockerbottom and other issues. I was planning to just take her to

> Dr Ponseti. I sent him an email explaining that no one was

agreeing

> on what treatment was best for Grace and that I would like to bring

> her to Iowa to be treated. Well, this was probably a month ago and

> I never heard back. Instead he contacted Dr Frick and Dr Frick

sent

> me an email saying he would be happy to see Grace again. Well, I

> took Grace to Dr Frick yesterday a little optimistic that he would

> cast her at Dr Ponseti's recommendation and that it would

> miraculously help. When we got there he said casts will not help.

> Then he discussed surgery again. So now I have to decide between

> surgery or going to discuss the Ilizarov with Dr Herzenberg. Dr

> Herzenberg and Dr Ponseti are both recommending that Grace not have

> surgery..........however I dont think Dr Ponsetis idea to just

> remold with casts will help at all and Im not sure if I can deal

> with all that goes along with the Ilizarov method. It is a very

big

> ordeal. Anyways I know no one can really offer an advice, just

> thought I would share Graces latest update. Thanks for listening,

>

February 9, 2005

I agree Jen, if you can make one last effort trip to Iowa what have you

lost except the time and money? (which of course are considerable losses,

but in comparison...). It sounds like Dr. Ponseti feels rather strongly

about rocker bottom being fixable by casting whereas Dr. Frick seems to be

a little stubborn with the idea that surgery is the only fix. Coupled with

the information that Dr. Ponseti has seen and been fixing feet that Dr.

Frick has done surgery on for this... well... it sounds like there's a

little struggle there between the two Dr's opinions that you're

unfortunately caught up in.

Poor Grace, poor you! What a tough situation to be in. I too would feel

the Ilizarov device is a bit much... but after reading what was posted

here about it I think I'd try it before surgery. But then again I'd have

Dr. Ponseti try first, before that too. You've got 3 options here, and it

seems to me the logical order would be to try casting first (with a dr. who

knows how to do it properly - in this case Dr. Ponseti), then the Ilizarov

and then at last... surgery. Assuming none of these options work of

course with surgery being last ditch effort.

I wish I could be there and give you hugs. What a trying and frustrating

time for you. Have you looked into Angel Flights yet?

Hang in there!

Kori

At 07:51 AM 2/9/2005, you wrote:

>If I were you, I would strongly consider Dr. Ponseti's suggestion of

>casting first. It can probably work if it is done correctly and by the

>right doctor. And if it doesn't improve the situation, at least you tried

>first. I know this would delay things further, but in my mind I would try

>everything possible before surgery. If Dr. Ponseti is too far, go to Dr.

>Herzenberg.

>

> Shook

>Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

>Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

>2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

>Vienna, VA 22182

> x374

> fax

>

February 9, 2005

hang in there. I can certainly relate. I know when you're going

through it, it can seem very overwhelming and you just want to hear the easy way

out. Just take one day at a time and you'll get through it. I promise there

will come a time when it's all said and done you'll begin to forget the

stressfulness of it all but you'll be better in the end.

Chin up -

boothejennifer boothejennifer@...> wrote: