Upcoming Surgery

 The intention of this blog is to share a very personal journey of strength, courage and determination.  This is outside of my comfort zone since I prefer to keep personal matters private to protect those I love.  My hope is that in sharing our story, we will inform our family and friends of each step we take and ask that you continue to carry Jordan in your thoughts and prayers.

(picture courtesy of Ginger Snaps!)

Jordan is 12yrs old.  He is a healthy boy/monkey/ninja and sometimes, a pirate.  He is very active, smart and so much fun.  His brace is so much a part of him that we often forget it is there.  We have joked that his brace has slowed him down just enough to keep him safe.

He was born with a club foot and a leg length difference.  At birth the difference was 2cm.  Now, its 4cm and expected to be 8cm when he's fully grown.  He has had 2 surgeries on his foot and leg and more treatment was required at this time.  We have been discussing options with his doctor for a year and the one that was recommended was to lengthen the short leg.  We went to Shriners Hospital in Montreal to learn more of this procedure.
http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/CareAndTreatment/Orthopaedics/LimbLengtheningSurgery

This 6 month procedure would lengthen the leg, but our concern is that the muscles and tendons on this leg are smaller and more tight so even though the leg will lengthen, would his foot be able to sit flat on the ground?  They did not know.  This procedure would have to be repeated when he is 18-20yrs old, again a 6 month procedure.  Our concerns were not only the physical effects of this procedure, but the mental, emotional and social issues as well. And after both of these leg lengthening session, if the tendons are too tight and the foot can't be flat on the ground, amputation of the foot would be the final option.

The other option was to shorten the other leg by using lasers to create scar tissue on the growth plates around his knee to slow down the growth of this leg and allow the other leg to catch up.  We did not want to do surgery on a healthy leg, and most importantly, his main support.

The third option was a prosthetic.  Removal of his foot and allowing all the leg lengthening to occur in the prosthetic.  This was not presented as an option.  We inquired about this and asked, "could a prosthetic allow him to be more athletic than he is now?"

Here is an image that shows how much smaller his right foot is to his left.  It's a cutie

Leg length difference 

The answer was, "Yes, a prosthetic would allow Jordan to do more than he is now.  He could run further, play any sport he wants to and it would allow him to have a more 'normal' childhood." 

All of our discussions with the doctor were with Jordan.  He heard all the options with us.  We looked at him and asked what he wanted.  Without hesitation, he said, "A prosthetic, preferably a spring!" (as in a springy spring)

Jordan is in his second year of playing sledge hockey and loves it!  He has friends who have prosthetics and he sees all that they can do.  We have done our homework, talked to Rehabilitation Centre for Children, spoke to youth who have grown up with prosthetics, looked at all the options and Jordan is ready for this.  The surgery date was booked for April, 2014, and on New Year's Eve, we received a call that the date needed to be changed to either January 23rd, or the end of August.

Jordan chose January 23rd.  He has decided that this is his best option and is ready.  We are trying to catch up.  His big sister Naomi is concerned for him and is finding this decision difficult.  But we have all agreed to see this as a door opening for him.  His spine is beginning to grow curvy to compensate for the leg length difference, so the timing is good to even out the legs before his teenage growth spurt.  We are thankful that his school is ready to support this journey and that he can figure out walking again in this small school family before highschool.

Jordan mentioned that he feels that this is his second chance.  We don't understand the pain he feels or his frustration from not being able to keep up with his friends and cousins.  He has chosen this journey and we will walk with him.

We are so blessed to be surrounded by support.  We will keep you informed of Jordan's Journey and we will let you walk with us.

(photo courtesy of Ginger Snaps!)