Jillian's Foot: An Update

Jilli's been such a trooper through this whole clubfoot ordeal. Although, I guess it's the only reality she knows, so she doesn't have much to compare it to. 

Her last cast came off in late June. We were so excited to have access to both feet for the first time since she was a week old. 

At that point, the doctor fit her for special shoes that would act as a brace to keep the newly stretched muscles and tendons from shrinking back to where they were. She's been wearing the braces 23 hours a day, every day, since then. 

I was worried at first about how the braces would affect our daily life with Jill. I knew it would be better in the cast for things like baths and play time, since we were now free to have some bare feet time each day. 

Other things though, like diaper changes and clothes, were new territory. Turns out, other than not being able to wear footy-jammies, the bar hasn't been too much of an imposition. And now I have a handy-dandy handle bar to assist in diaper changes. ;)

We've been amazed watching her play while wearing her brace. Her tummy and leg muscles must be getting so strong from all the leg lifts she does. 

She even figured out how to use the bar as leverage to roll over before most babies do. Other things, like finding her feet, took some extra time. But I'm sure now that she's discovered them, it won't be long before she's trying to unstrap her shoes. 

At our last doctor's appointment, we thought we would get the go ahead to move to only night and nap wear. After looking at her xrays, the doc said, "everything looks normal, but let's be extra cautious and keep the bar on 23 hours a day for a few more months." We're not sure how much of this is typical Japanese cautiousness, but even though we're frustrated, we're following doctor's orders and keeping the bar on. :/

We're all anxiously looking forward to FINALLY being graduated out of the bar during the day. I feel like Jill is trying to get mobil and having bare feet would really help her out. Although, I'm sure she'll manage even in the bar. This kid is a go-getter!

Jilli's Foot

When Jillian was born we noticed right away there there was something different about her left foot. We were referred to an orthopedic surgeon and were given the news that Jill had a condition called clubfoot. I won't get into the nitty gritty of the condition here, but basically it means the tendons and muscles on the inside of her left foot were shorter than the outside and needed to be stretched.

Jillian's foot at 3 days old

We were shocked to find out our perfect little girl would need special treatment if she were ever to be able to walk. 

But since nothing surprises God, we trusted that He was already at work.

Since meeting our daughter and seeing her clubfoot, here's how we've seen God moving:

*Clubfoot is a correctable condition if treatment is started right away. Jillian was in her first cast at 8 days old.

*We were referred to a leading clubfoot specialist in Sapporo. 

*We realized we live in a big city that has a specialist. We don't have to travel to another town like we would if we lived somewhere else. 

*Our doctor is an English speaker and can clearly explain procedures and progress.

*My (Kathryn's) mother is an executive in a large California hospital and has provided access to double check Japanese protocol for clubfoot against American procedures, giving us peace of mind.

Even in a cast she's stinkin' adorable!

Since getting the official diagnosis at 6 days old, Jillian has had 5 casts to stretch her tendons and muscles, and 1 surgery to release the tension in her Achilles' tendon. Surgery was uneventful (which is the best kind of surgery in my opinion) and Jillian is coping with the recovery and a new cast by snuggling with Mommy and Daddy all day. 

There is still a long way to go in her treatment. After wearing this final cast for 2-3 weeks, she will wear a special brace on her feet every day for a few months and then at night for a couple years. 

Even though the situation is not ideal, we are so happy that Jillian has every chance to grow up with normal use of her feet. In the mean time, we'll continue to seek God's comfort, provision, and plan through it all.