The day after Thanksgiving, Joseph went to his physical therapist for a check-up. She was worried that the way Joseph was walking was putting too much pressure on his knee. So we began the process of changing things up. We went to Children's to get the new plan o.k.'d by his doctor and then it was on to the prosthetist for casting and fittings. During these appointments, Joseph wasn't too pleased with the process. He would often cry, but more recently has developed the coping skill of pretending he isn't there. It is amazing how he adapts.
As the brace was being built, he decided that he disliked it. He would look at it and say "no no" and when we would talk about it at home he would sign "all done". However, his one request was that it have a "blue choo choo" on it. Christine worked some magic, and when the day came to get his new contraption...it had a blue train on it. All was right in Joseph's world! The brace is much larger. It goes all the way up his leg and has a metal bar to protect his knee. It even has a rim behind his "hiney" that he can sit on if he gets tired. (I'm trying to add a picture, but can't seem to figure it out).
Still no decisions on the surgery front. There are other children the same age as Joseph who have completed their first big surgeries and are on the road to recovery. Am I missing the boat? Sometimes I feel that way. I just can't imagine finalizing that decision. It would mean one of the following options:
1. Moving to Baltimore for at least 3 months.
2. Staying in Baltimore 2-3 weeks, coming home....and driving the 10 hours to Baltimore every two weeks for check-ups. Add in the physical therapy and upkeep of the fixator and I can't imagine having time for anything other than caring for Joseph. Terrifying.
Thankfully, I'm 60% sure that this "waiting" plan is still the right path for us.
