Third Opinion

     Earlier this week Joe, Joseph and I went for a third opinion on Joseph's leg.  Before this appointment we had two approaches: "wait and see" or lengthening in Baltimore.  Neither felt right.  I was leaning towards Baltimore, but with it being so far from home, the logistics of making this work for our family seemed unbearable. 
     We met with Dr. McCarthy from Cincinnati Children's hospital and he was an answer to our prayers.  I knew it was going to be a great appointment from the beginning.  As we walked into the hospital church bells were ringing (I know that sounds cheesy...but they were, and it gave me a great feeling of confidence).  We sat in the waiting room for 5 minutes-unheard of!!!!  Dr. McCarthy has a lot of experience with leg lengthening and was very honest with us.  Joseph is right on the borderline between being a good candidate for lengthening vs. being a good candidate for amputation.  My heart dropped, The thought of amputation doesn't sit well with me, Joseph has too good of a foot to give up!  But Dr. McCarthy ultimately recommended  following nearly the exact same plan as Dr. Standard in Baltimore.  He was our tie breaker and it makes sense.  He said that the "wait and see" approach is only prolonging the inevitable decision of lengthening or amputating...and we are losing these great childhood years where Joseph will heal quickly.
     Joseph will have an MRI in June and then we are looking at scheduling a hip and ankle reconstruction for the fall.  This will be followed by three lengthenings that will end around age 18, a minimum of 7 surgeries.   I am so thankful that we have made a decision, I am so thankful that we found someone we trust close to home.  But now....I am scared.  This is real.  I follow lots of other families who are going through this, and I know it is hard.  It is painful.  Our doctor told us there will, without a doubt, be complications.  It may not work.  I know it's "just a leg"...but it happens to be the leg that carries my happy, chubby baby around.  It is the leg that runs to me when he wants "huggles".  Its the little leg that helps him climb onto things he shouldn't be climbing.  It's the leg that kicks me in the middle of the night, that karate kicks his siblings.  We love his leg.  I so desperately want this to work.  So we'll pray and have faith that we CAN do this and remain thankful that it is "just a leg".