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Here is Paul testing out Eli's liner
Here Paul is trying out a test socket
Everything put together
There was lots of this going on
We were waiting a long time
Here is where Paul told me that he will have to put a lift in Eli's left shoe, because for a few months Eli's prosthetic leg is going to be longer than his left leg. Basically, it is because right now his right leg is so long (which is a good thing in the long run because he'll be able to walk on it for short times) and so there is only so much Paul can do to make the right leg the same length as the left leg (because he needs a certain amount of room for the foot, and the liner inside the socket). This really caught me off guard.
So for now we are just hanging out until we go back next Thursday for another diagnostic fitting.
Sorry to hear that Eli didn't get his leg yesterday. Houston wore a lift inside his left shoe for about 4 months. I think that it is pretty common with kids this young. =)
ReplyDeleteHang in there Kristina! I guess it is a whole different ball game for the little ones? Eli is such a good little boy, he looks such a trouper in the photo's! Before you know it he will be up and running!!
ReplyDeleteHugs from NZ
xx
Im sorry Kristina!Its tough at first but does get easier for everyone
ReplyDeleteHi Guys,
ReplyDeleteIt actually sounds about normal for the process! It takes a couple of visits (usually casting; then check socket; then the final check of the finished prosthesis) to get a new leg built. You want the socket to be comfortable and everything to be in the best alignment possible before you head out the door.
Please keep in mind that it's not so easy with a really young child. They're small, so you are limited on the amount of room you have to work with. Eli hasn't walked before, so in addition to being difficult to align, there are muscles are Eli is only starting to use that will grow and change quickly. You want the socket to fit comfortably right now, but also give him a little bit of growing room.
Eli should outgrow using the shoe lift fairly quickly. Actually, he'll outgrow legs fairly quickly, too, while he's really young. So it won't be long before you get to go through all this again!
Hang in there. He'll be up and walking soon.
-Jeff Brantly
P.S. We adopted Maria at age 4, and she's 17 now.I think we've been through the leg building process about 13 times. It gets easier.
Sorry Eli didn't get his leg yet. I know it's tough but just try to hang in there without frustration. The appointments with Paul will get easier, but they are definitely long sometimes. We always expect to be there for a while and as Eli gets bigger the waiting will get better too.
ReplyDeleteHi!!! Sorry it's been soo long since I've visited...
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to touch base with you...
It can get frustrating waiting, esp with your little guy! I can remember going for Chloe's first appt all siked and ready to get her LEG finally and it not being quite ready/right yet. BUT you really want it to be perfect so your little guy has NO issues with it later on! Hang in there!! :)
Also, Chloe still has length issue to this day, (um let's see 4 legs later) with the lift in the shoe and the sock liners. It's totally normal so try not to worry about that part! Kids grow SOO fast, these guys have to keep up somehow with the prosthesis! ;)
~ as for swimming, Chloe was wearing her regular leg but we found these sleeve covers from "Fred's Legs" online and they help protect her sleeves from ripping so easily in the summer AND they kept the SAND out from getting down inside. She's technically not supposed to wear her leg...but I figure, you know what?...this girl has GOT to LIVE her life just like every other kid and dang it, I'm gonna let her!!! Not too big of a deal, they just had to clean out the extra water when we got back from vaca! Ha!
Hang in there, you are doing great...feel free to write anytime, ok?!!