Hats: Part 2

Hats

Lucy found my collection of hats. It was adorable watching her admire herself with each style of hat. A twenties swinger hat made Lucy looking like Dark Helmet from Spaceballs covering her eyes as she is bumped into doorways and walls. However, I have no pictures. Today was a lovely cool Autumn day and naturally thought it ideal to capture some photos of Lucy wearing the hats. Well... We started off well then the moment went from bad to worse. Maybe next time. Here are the highlights.

Therapy for me and therapy for you

I think I have mentioned my daughter has been a very delayed walker. When first assessed at 15 months her ankles were described as "having the flexibility of a newborn." I interpreted that as she will probably be a dancer. Three months later still not walking.

I always feel a little embarrassed yet compelled to explain my 18 month daughter still does not walk, like I need to admit my foley. Some people would be encouraging adding their baby was a late walker as well. Other people just smiled in empathy.

The books I read kept reminding the parents every child develops at their own rate. Lucy was slightly slow to crawl, but she had incredible fine motor skills picking up fine dog hairs or twisting off small caps. So I did not think I should show too much concern.

However, the day of Lucy's 18 month check-up her 10 month old cousin came to visit. He was non-stop. Though clumsy he was go go-go. He was not walking yet close as he pushed Lucy's walking toys across the house. After a weekend of observing the comparison my once cavalier husband grew concerned.

Now at Lucy's check-up I explained to the pediatrician we had not pursued physical therapy. He replied that was fine as long as she was free standing and walking with her push toys. I felt validated but there was this nurse at the office that was in shock of Lucy's condition and kept asking what was wrong with her and what was the doctor going to do. I felt like I should place Lucy in the circus as a spectacle for all to see from my failings. I was growing increasingly anxious. After having a discussion with my husband I remembered the doctor using the word 'hypermobility' to describe Lucy's ankles. A completely harmless word broken down should mean'excessive/lots of go." Wait. That does not describe Lucy. Maybe he said hyperflexibility.

I google the word hypermobility and I quickly understoodd my daughter's delay. Hypermobility in fact means, when related to muscles and ligaments, too much stretch is allowed. The fibers of the muscles have more flex allowing joints to overextend. Too much stretch for a baby generally means muscle weakness not gaining the opportunity to strengthen. Then I start reading blogs and forums from parents who have children with hypermobility. Children as late as three finally accomplish walking. Parents with children old as five complain of gate imbalance where their children often fall.

Horrified, I start analyzing myself. This is probably genetic. She probably developed this from me. My knees hyperextend. I had several sprained ankles as a youth. I am fairly flat-footed. Then I begin making phone calls. I first contact the pediatric therapist who made the original assessment of Lucy at 15 months. She recommends therapy for sure, but suggests I use another service due to starting the paperwork process all over, which would consume more time. Next, I am on the phone with the pediatrician's office to request another referral. Finally, I am talking to a highly recommended pediatric therapist for the area informing me there is a waiting list, "but let's get the process started."

During this upset, I have started physical therapy for right hip pain. After three months of yoga and exercise and applied heat without receiving relief I finally consent to professional treatment. The therapist has me doing exercises that I have already been practicing. Planks, pelvic tilts, pelvic bridges, but I proceed as instructed. There is E-Stem treatment, which feels like electrolysis, then there is the fancy heat pad. With each passing week the pain seems to become more enduring.

What I experience is a very inconsistently occurring stabbing pain at the iliac crest of my pelvic bone. I say inconsistent because I do not, or I did not, experience the pain through out the day. My therapist would scratch his head trying to determine how to approach a correction when I arrived feeling fine. After a couple of weeks suddenly the pain appeared more frequent. Laying on my stomach for any length of time began shooting sharp pain into my hip sending me rolling around until bearably transitioning up. Prolonged sitting and extending my body while holding my daughter or holding her to my side with my hip cocked seemed to be the biggest triggers.

I have researched a pulled quadratus lumborum, iliopsoas dysfunction, osteoporosis, but all my symptoms are not consistent with these disorders. Sometimes I wondered if the therapist thought I was randomly conjuring symptoms. The pain initiates at the right pelvic crest, but it can also radiate towards my spine. This past week I dug up all the sweet potatoes in our garden. With each drive of my fork into the earth pain electrified my back. The spinal pain seems to initiate if I bend over too much. Usually, with a night of good rest the ache disappears in the morning.

This week I completed my last therapy secession. The therapist theorizes I may have SI referral (sacroiliac dysfunction). Whether its arthritis or weakened stabilizing muscles can not be determined without imaging. He can palpate I have a slight hypomobility (opposite of Lucy) of the SI joint. There are tricks, like performing the 'Pelvic Clock' movements (moving my pelvic bone towards certain numbers on an imaginary clock). This does help unlock the pain temporarily. The therapist's conclusion: I will need to return to my primary care provider to order an x-ray or MRI to determine the next coarse of action. However, at this point I feel hesitant to seek further medical attention since I am in more pain than before starting physical therapy.

As for Lucy's therapy, she has been assessed as a candidate. Where I received an exercise routine Lucy gets to play, but there is some homework involved. Our house has turned into her therapy gym. Exercise ball has been inflated, there is a bucket containing dried rice and rocks to work the ankles, more push toys, and her own desk to stand against. There are drawers in the kitchen and master bathroom containing objects to entice her interest for reaching up on tippy toes to strengthen ankles. We have easter egg hunts and go cherry tomato picking to encourage squatting to standing strengthening the quads.

For Lucy's second appointment she was walking with her hand grasped around mommy's finger. Prior to Lucy's third secession she was walking unassisted for short distances (5-6ft). A few days later Lucy walked from end to end of the house wondering as she pleased.

She's cured, right? It is not that simple. The hypermobility allows the foot to collapse almost beyond looking flat footed with a severe pronation. All of Lucy's shoes have been purchased for their high arch support. The shoes offer noticeable balance in the arch and ankles. Lucy is capable of walking without shoes, but her feet form a contracted appearance almost inhuman to bare weight. Feet turned out and toes curled in while her medial ankles tilt almost touching the floor. Her body makes contortions as she walks as if she is an marionette doll leaning back leaning forward constantly making corrections for the shaky balance. I watch her movements and sit amazed she is able to walk at all.


So.... The therapist is watching and waiting to determine if a more dramatic insole is required. Even though Lucy is moving forward because of her ankle tilt she has a long way to go before running and confidently walking. She is also right knee dominate meaning she sits to a kneel to a stand she always starts with the right leg. In order to prevent a weaker left leg it is my job to insist left leg use by holding the right leg down. A reaction Lucy is quick to communicate disapproval. There is also concern for Lucy's gate. Will she develop a foot drag or an extreme pigeon toe? Walking on different terrains will force her to pick up her feet hopefully avoiding a drag.

Although Lucy does have a hinderance it is also beautiful to see her confidence grow. Every day she moves with a little more diligence and risk. It is a pleasure to know the dead end is now open to progress. She seems happier as well.

We currently meet with Lucy's therapist once a week for the next three months where I look forward to her growth and achievement. Tonight Lucy stood still clutching the door way while her parents were resting on the floor. I cheered her to "Go get Dada." Sure enough ramping up speed she waddled towards Daddy to fall into his chest and arms. We applauded in delight at her first attempt to tackle Dada.

As for me, I have no solution or quick fix. I will continue my exercises. I will now focus on hyperextension of my back. I might start taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or restart curcumin. I will probably visit a chiropractor to see if an alignment can be made of the SI joint, hopefully with someone who has an understanding of changes on the pelvic bone during pregnancy. There are more frequent occurrences of lock up pain when bending over unable to return to a stand. I gravel, perform the pelvic clock routine, lay on the heat pad, and pray for relief. Ten minutes later the pain can disappear or linger through the night. Because of this experience and trying to strengthen my core my muscle tone is stronger than ever, but between my crepitus knees and aching hip I feel like an old lady shrieking her complaints. The last thing I want is for Lucy to think she has an old mom. Well worn is okay though.

Together Lucy and I both have our hurdles to overcome. The process of growing older. Soon Lucy will be running laps around me and I will make walking with a cane look classy again. It makes me smile.

After two days of rain Lucy grabbed her little red basket and pulled my hand to the sunroom. She indicated she wanted to walk outside. Following her lead she led me to the cherry tomato patch. It was time to start picking. With the cold nights and chicken snacks there were few to find, but Lucy had a job to do and she did it well.
She also makes the chickens particularly happy because she offers mealworm treats.

Today was one of those days so perfect and amazing I felt like I could run forever. The temperature was ideal. The sun shone through bright and the scenery was wonderful.

Nineteen on the19th

It is hard to believe my daughter is nearly two years old. I am amazed how quickly time slips away. Miss Lucy has a personality. She is her own person. One minute she is full of laughs and amusement. The next moment she is enraged because her blanket will not fold correctly. She is a great organizer, always diligent to put clothes in the hamper whether dirty or not. She is great at pointing out animals recalling their sounds. Ball and DaDa are her favorite words. She is learning (emphasis on learning) manners like please, help, and thank you. Motility is slowly making progress. The other night determined to double fists beers bottles (I assure you the bottles were empty. She found the recycle pile) she was willing to walk a short distance unassisted. Nonetheless, she still manages to climb and wind up in unexpected locations. She has also discovered her knack for drawing (doodling) holding the utensil, whether crayon or spoon, properly. The best part is my husband and I never tire of her. She continually offers a fresh perspective on life and encourages me to be a better person.