Analise charms Philly...surgery on for early Wednesday morning...pray, pray, pray!!!

From Erik and Dawn:
"After a little bit of traffic, we arrived at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia this morning.  First we met with Dr. Zlotolow, the upper extremities specialist (pictures to follow soon).  He examined her arms and said her shoulders were in great position and not internally rotated like some of the other AMCers.  He said she had very strong triceps.  This actually can hinder movement because they are so strong, so he recommended wearing arm splints at night which will keep her elbows bent at 90° and keep her triceps "relaxed."  The splints were made onsite, so we will give them a try tonight, yeah:(  Her wrists are still stiff and we need to continue to stretch them.  He liked how fat her thumbs were and said that that shows promise, possible movement in the future.  He also mentioned that movement can happen anytime within a couple of years.  He even shared a story of a Ukraine boy who had minimal movement after five years, but after being adopted and getting proper treatment in the United States, began moving his fingers and arms more than in his first five years of life.  Again, he reiterated that we just don't know what the future will hold.  He said to keep up the therapies, both through CCS (California Children's Services) and at home because they have been working well.  So, we will continue and wait....

Dr. van Bosse (lower extremities specialist) examined her next.  He said her Achilles were still a little tight and her knees were difficult to bend due to tight quads (lots of stretching needed).  He said her "prior club" feet looked good.  He believed she was still in need of the surgery on her tight lateral hamstring tendons.  On Wednesday a small incision will be made on the back of each of her knees to "snip" the tendons and allow the lower part of her legs to be turned inward to help straighten her legs.  This, in turn, will help her legs support her weight in the future when she is able to walk.  Otherwise, it would be difficult for her to walk with her current "knee-knockers."  After the surgery he will cast her, while pushing her feet up to stretch her tight Achilles tendons.  Four weeks later, we will return and she will have a special brace made to help keep her legs in a straight position.  It shouldn't be too long of a procedure early Wednesday morning and then off to a recovery room, all within the same Shriners building.  

So overall a good trip!  Everyone was in love with Analise.  "She's so cute!" was her name today.  She was in great spirits with Dr. Z, but when she met with Dr. van Bosse, not so much.  It had been a couple of hours, she was hungry and tired, and not liking the stretches he was doing.  Pictures will come soon to show her faces.  

Thanks for following Analise's journey with Amyoplasia.  She sends lots of wet kisses."