This is Nicholas taking his first steps with absolutely nothing on his leg for the first time in over eight months
I cant believe it is over but it really is. This month Nicholas slowly began to walk without his cast on. The first time he did it Charlotte held his hand and it was wonderful to see. He thanked her for helping him and told her that he is best little sister in the world. What a moment! Then on the 21st we went to Baltimore for the official xray and received the wonderful news from Dr. Standard that Nicholas’ leg is healed. Just like that it is over.
Nicholas may need some physical therapy because his walking is a bit off possibly from turning his leg out with the cast and fixator to protect his left leg. But that is still yet to be determined. We need to give him time to adjust and we have to get him a 3cm lift for his shoe. He had a 6cm lengthening and still need a 3cm lift! his legs looked just about even in July so I guess he must have done some serious growing.
At his last appointment he had several questions for Dr. Standard. He wanted to know when he would be taller than me! Dr. Standard told him between the ages of 10 and 11. He also wanted to know the medical or technical name for the thumb because he knew it was not a phalange like the other fingers. Cant say I remember the answer to that one. Nicholas asked about a poster containing some kind of medical device and he asked why fibular hemimelia makes his leg shorter. Dr. Standard talked about how when a baby begins to form it is a ball of cells and so on all the way to the fact that why is not exactly known. Nicholas was satisfied with the answers and happy to head out of the office and down to the cafeteria.
I am over the moon grateful that this portion of the process is over but it seems the next step is never very far behind. Nicholas will have to have a knee surgery sometime in the next hear and a half and I really really hope it can wait a while. It will be a completely different experience for us and the unknown is scary to me. There will be a few days in the hospital, 2 different braces and plenty of physical therapy. From what I have heard knee surgery and recovery is pretty painful but when Dr. Standard says it’s time we will be ready.
