First x-rays!

     After many calls (making sure we could get the order form from down south processed up here at our local hospital and insurance would cover it) we were finally able to get Amaya's x-rays today. This is the 11th day of lengthening and that would mean she's grown11 mm (.43 inches). I'm so relieved to have the x-rays in hand. Being able to see what's been going on is helpful and reassuring. I've emailed the x-rays to Dr. Nelson, who wrote back before I could even finish composing this blog post. He said,"these look great" and encouraged Amaya to keep up the "great work" at pt. Wow, I can't describe how reassuring and comforting that is. 

    Seeing the x-rays gives me the "proof" I needed. When we lengthened with the external fixator we knew it was working because we physically turned the rod ourselves and saw the evidence on the fixator. But lengthening with the Precice device we don't get to see that or actually know that it's working. We place a magnet on her leg, in a precise spot so that the magnet "talks" to the magnet in her femur. Then it turns and pulls the bone apart. It kind of sounds like magic, even though I know its science based on lots of research. But until I saw the x-rays I had no proof that we were doing it correctly or that it was working. 

    We're about halfway done with the lengthening and I am so glad! Even though Amaya is doing well overall there are moments of pain, exhaustion, and frustration. Not just for her, but for us as well. As a parent it is heartbreaking to see Amaya in pain. It's difficult to offer comfort and support in the form of TLC one moment and then in the form of physical therapy exercises the next. It's hard to push and challenge her and encourage her to be tough then to remind her to rest and giver her extra nurturing. It's a hard balance and there's no right or wrong, just what best for the day or moment. Thankfully, there are a few "tricks"we learned the last time that help ease her pain; we massage her leg and foot with coconut oil, give her chamomile tea, apply an ice pack to her knee, and find ways to distract her from the pain. 

    Thank you all for the love and support! Your kindness means the world to us.

Here's the top view of the x-ray. 

You can see one screw at the top of the rod connecting it to the femur. 

It also shows two longer screws holding the bottom of the rod to her femur. As well as the gap where the new bone is. It also shows that the top and bottom pieces of femur are at different angles. 

This is where Dr. Nelson corrected the 10 degree deformity in her femur. 

As new bone grows and harden it will be at the correct angle.

Here's the side view of her femur. 

You can see the break, as well the space between her two pieces of femur. 

That's where the new bone is being created; 

further along in the process it'll get whiter and show up in x-rays better.

Here you can see the two screws that are holding the top of the rod to her femur. 

Heres a front view of the femur, from this side you can only see one of the screws.