Casts, Cuteness, Confinement and Conclusions

Bryson saying his night time prayers in St Louis! Pure sweetness!!

Bryson misses Marissa everytime we go. A phone call makes things better.

Doing some ab work while waiting for fiberglass layers.

Sassy pants, okay who wouldn't be after 22 weeks of casting in 7 months!

Bryson has lost his ability to walk with these casts on. He is not so happy about it. He was getting around pretty well with only one, but it is just not going to happen with two. Making a paper chain today to help count down the days. There is a very good chance that July 27th, he will be free of casts and into braces and a bar for the next 2-3 years.

We saw the hip specialist yesterday in St Louis. He believes you do not use a diagnosis (arthrogryposis) to determine treatment, rather Bryson's ability to walk and the stiffness of his hips. Bryson's hips are in the middle leaning more towards the not so stiff side, gray area! Of course, Bryson was not able to walk for him out of the casts and without his leg braces so he could not show him how good he does walk. The doctor would like to see him once he is walking again, but from what he feels and sees he believes Bryson would benefit from the hip surgery.

He referred us to who he says is the best west coast hip doctor who is set to retire anytime soon. I have also heard of him but didn't think it was necessary to get another opinion from outside our insurance, since we can't use them anyway. However, I did not realize he also works at the Shriners in Los Angeles. I will be working on getting an appt with him today. Edited: Go figure, Dr. in LA retired as of June 30, 2009.

I think Robert and I have come to a decision and in another post later (maybe not until we meet with this new doctor) I will share all the reasons, anxiety and prayer that has gone into that decision.

Our wonderful foot doctor in St Louis left me with these encouraging words, "there is no right or wrong decision!"