Two Steps Forward; One Step Back.

TWO STEPS FORWARD: VBS


Last week, on July 21st we reached 1 month post-op.
The whole week was spent at our church's vacation Bible school. Josiah had a blast, especially because his best bud from Friday School, Josh, was there.

I was hesitant to bring him because I knew the other kids would stare at him and maybe say something hurtful; plus I figured we'd have to answer "OMG what happened to him?" a million times (and I was right!), but Josiah handled it like a champ. It didn't even phase him when one kid said it was creepy and another said it was gross. (Me on the other hand... well... just pray for me. Lol. Mama Bear syndrome). After the first day of gawking, I asked my mom to make him a cover for it. I gave her my vision and she made it happen! Twice!

First proto-type, too big vertically.. made it baggy... also iron-on velcro didn't stick well to the fabric).

Proto type 2, shorter vertically & around made a snugger fit. Sewn on Velcro held up well.

(Basically she got fabric. Sewed in a rectangle with a cord sewn in the top & bottom to cinch it up, and Velcro to close it up vertically. Pretty easy! It's breathable, soft, and easily taken on & off. Josiah wouldn't let me cover the bottom of his foot or the top "shin pin" because he doesn't like anything touching them, but I could have done it easily and it would have covered everything.
Although a lot of the kids stared (understandably so) and a few said some things since they didn't know any better, most of the kids in his group got over it the first day and talked to Josiah just like "any other kid."


I was thankful that the leaders allowed me to bring him and stay with him. They could have told me they were not "set up" to accommodate him, but they let me bring him. I'm glad I got to stay because not only would he not trust anyone to push him around and/or help him to the bathroom, I wouldn't want anyone else to do that anyway. My mom & sister were kind enough to take care of Ava & Jack so that I could serve my lil' guy in this way. It was a blessing for me to see him have as much fun as he could from the chair and it was just good to get up & out of the house each morning (for both of us!)
The most important thing is he (we) got to be in the Word! We learned that the Word of God is true, comforting, surprising, life changing, and for everyone (to be shared!) It is good to be reminded of these simple, yet profound truths. It was awesome to have been "sitting in" with him on everything so that we could discuss it all in greater depth as we sat alone together while the kids played games and later at home.
It was a great week at VBS. (My 1st time ever being "in" one... and I am excited about the possibility of serving "for real" next year.).

That week ended with a family celebration of all the "July Birthdays" on Sunday at my sister-in-law's house. Josiah got in her pool and played around for over 2 hours! He had such a great time in there with his cousins. Again, it was a blessing to see him just be a carefree kid.

TWO STEPS BACK: Surgery needed. Tomorrow!


6 days after surgery, June 27th, the bottom of Josiah's foot looked like this:

July 11th, the bottom of Josiah's foot looked like this:

14 days later, today, it looks like this:

To be honest with you, I hadn't really looked at Josiah's foot from this angle in awhile.
I can't believe how much the outside of the foot has twisted under in such a short amount of time. From what I understand, the pins that run through the top of Josiah's foot are not enough to support the outside/bottom of his foot, and as we're pushing it over to the left, the left side is curling under.

We are going back in for an operation to fix it TOMORROW (yes, on my 30th birthday, lol).
I don't know all that they're going to do to it (and I don't think they know until they get him in there, put him to sleep, and take some xrays). What I do know is that the doc said putting him under and fixing it will be the fastest and most accurate thing to do. The alternative involved moving wires and adjusting the fixator from the outside, which would have been VERY traumatic for Josiah and with not as good of a result.

They have to do it tomorrow because Dr. Nelson is leaving for Haiti on Saturday morning.
His week is already jam-packed, and I appreciate his willingness to fix this problem right away. I am also thankful that he made the decision to bring us in "early" to see him before he left instead of just waiting to see us until he gets back in 3 weeks.
He assured me that the correction we are pursuing is not compromised even though the foot is turned under. He also said that this operation will not compromise the good work that's already been done.
We just need to flatten the bottom of that foot out and give it some more support so that we can flex it upward over the next phase of "turnings."

When I explained it to Josiah, he was surprisingly ok with it. I thought he'd be afraid of surgery now that he's been through it, but so far so good, praise God! Of course, I am mostly concerned with the procedure going well, and with his pain after we get home... but I trust Dr. Nelson, and I trust the Lord.

So, that's the latest! Keep us in your prayers.