Sweet Analise Rose's Journey with Arthrogryposis, Amyoplasia type: Week 11 and start of week 12-Big decisions!!

From Erik:
"Analise did very well this week with her achilles tenotomy recovery. She wasn't too fussy and didn't even cry that much. She is one tough girl. We also had a very big decision to make about what to do with her hamstring tendons. If you recall, Dr. Hurley didn't want to cut the hamstrings and Dr. van Bosse in Philadelphia said it should be done and rather soon. After many sleepless nights, we made a decision. . .

We decided to take Analise to Philadelphia. We just felt that Dr. vB would give her the best chance to walk, and walk as close to "normal" as possible. I emailed him several times and he always emailed me back promptly and answered all of our questions.

We scheduled the surgery for November 23.

Yes, we will be eating turkey dinner the next day at the hospital (she has to stay one night in the hospital after the surgery). But that's o.k., we feel we are making the best decision with the information we have at this time for Analise. We are staying there for about a week (hopefully at the Ronald McDonald house) and then will probably have to return 3-4 weeks later to remove the casts and get fitted for braces.

Finding flights was a nightmare, especially at the busiest time of the year, but we were lucky to find some tickets. Even up to the last second, booking the flights was hard. . . making a decision that could affect Analise for the rest of her life was not easy.

We had an appointment with Dr. Hurley yesterday to check on her achilles. Analise's feet looked great and the little scars on the backs of her legs seemed to be healing nicely. She put on Analise's final casts of the club foot correction (Ponsetti method). Next week she will take them off and Analise will be fitted for braces.

We weighed her again and she is now into double digits, 10 lbs. 2 oz. She is finally graduating from newborn diapers to stage 1. Some of her newborn clothes are not even fitting any more. Yikes, growing so fast!!

It was pretty funny too, when we were in the room taking off the casts, I got that "are you going to tell Dr. Hurley about the surgery" look from my wife. So, nervous as can be, I told her. She kind of looked at me funny and said that we have to do what we think is best, but it is wrong. She said that she actually would consider that surgery, but when she was of walking age, 12-15 months. I also asked her if she would take off the casts from Philly, and she didn't really give us an answer either way. Its very hard to tell a doctor you are going to another doctor to get surgery. She said only time will tell if it was the right decision or not.

And that will be the story of Analise's life, "only time will tell." It so hard to do things, and not see immediate results. With Analise, results may take years and that is so difficult. We have patience, but wow, it will definitely be tested with this journey.

But with all of this drama, it seems as if all worries go away when we wake up and see her beautiful smile. She gets so excited and is such a happy girl (when she's not crying or sleeping or pooping).

These are the smiles we're talking about. . .
that makes all our worries go away!!

Analise went out on her first Halloween and got so much candy. She even said, "twick or tweet!" Well, actually, she traveled in her stroller all around the neighborhood with her family, including a special visit from Auntie Katrina.

Next year though, Analise will be walking and talking. . .
We promise!!

Hope everyone had a safe Halloween, and don't eat too much of the kids' candy, at least that's what I'm telling myself."