Look Mom ... No Cast!

We went to the orthopedic center today to get Paton's boot/cast, and after examining him, the doctor said Paton does not have a club foot!  We couldn't believe it.  All the people in the NICU had said it was club, and we understood it would need casting.  But the doctor today said she thinks it is a common condition called metatarsus adductus.  She told us just to do some simple stretches with the foot several times each day, and that the condition would probably correct itself in time.  We believe this is an amazing answer to prayer -- thank you all.  We continue to be astounded.  At this point, they can only do a preliminary examination, since Paton cannot be laid on his back.  Once we are cleared for that, we will take him again to get an ultrasound of his hips to make sure there is no dislocation.  If there is, he will have to wear a special bracing system for a while.  We have been told again and again that our baby is an unusual case.  The OB/Gyn said Paton had the biggest sack on his back she'd ever seen.  Then after his surgery, the nurses said it was the biggest swelling they'd ever seen in this type of case.  Then the doctors were sure he needed a shunt, but ended up not.  And now, it seems they might have been wrong about the club foot.  So, we just take all this as God's gracious intervention.  We'd rest content if He'd chosen otherwise, and there are harder days ahead, we're sure.  But we are delighting in His blessings and kindness to the little fella.  Here's Paton and dad chillin'.

First Time in Church

Well, the little fella went to church.  He was surrounded by women!  Wish I'd had a camera.  It was great to show him to so many who'd been praying for him.  And Jen was thrilled to get out, too!  Today he has a visit to the pediatrician, who'll be his primary.  Later this week we see neuro and orthopedics.  The nurse measured his head circumference the other day, and everything looked normal.  We also have a visit to Early Childhood Intervention for physical therapy later this week.  It is so great to have him home.  I can entertain myself just by staring at the little guy.  I love it when he "smiles" in his sleep!

Paton and his Da

Home Sweet Home

There's no place like home. We left the hospital about 2 this afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny, 74-degree, Houston winter day! Paton went home with a monitor and lots of doctors' appointments -- four just next week, along with 2 nurse visits in our home! Life will not be dull. There was great rejoicing -- Hannah at having her brother home, and David & Charis at the ice cream we got to celebrate. :) They're ready for more brothers & sisters, as long it means chocolate-dipped DQ cones. They weren't able to get us in with ortho at the hospital, so we will go in again next Tuesday for the boot fitting to help correct the clubbing of the left leg.

I've decided to continue to post here from time to time, although I'm sure it won't be as regular as it's been in the last two or three weeks. I'll probably mainly focus on Paton's journey, although I'll include general family news (and pictures, of course) from time to time. If you want to keep getting news, but not have to check the blog all the time, you might try to figure out how to "subscribe to" it with some kind of RSS reader so you can be advised when there are any new posts.

Through this all, we have sensed your prayers and seen God answer wonderfully. Thank you, thank you. Thank you to those in Texas, as well as many other states in the Union. Thanks to our friends oversees. Thanks to all. "The prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." I am going to close this post with an excerpt from my journal from last November that summarizes my hopes and prayers for the little fella:

On another note, I think of you, my little Paton – yet unborn. I love you. You have spina bifida, they tell us. Our prayer has been, and will be, that God will show mercy and heal your soul. And that the strength of your soul, combined with the weakness of your body, will proclaim an irresistible message of grace to those around you. Son, allow the Lord to be mighty through you. Trust Him. Love Him. He owes us nothing. Health or “normality” is not our birthright, but rather condemnation and destruction are. Praise Him for any good thing He bestows as a matter of His undeserved kindness. I love ya’, fella’, and can’t wait to meet ya’!

Today's the Day

Today's the day we bring Paton home! We will be heading to the hospital shortly to check Paton out. Of course, that will be an all-day affair. After we leave the NICU, we have to see orthopedics, who will fit him with a boot to help correct the club foot. The kids are really excited to see him home. Well, OK, Hannah is excited. David & Charis aren't quite sure. :) We're all looking forward to getting back to some-kind-of-normal. The new "normal." God has been so good to us. We are filled with joy. I'll try to post some pictures once he's home.

Going Home! -- Yeah and Yikes!

We had a big consultation this morning with all the doctors and nurses. Here's the bottom line: Paton's going home by the weekend! We are nervous, but we are thrilled. The neurosurgeon is convinced that the swelling on his back is not a build-up of cerebro-spinal fluid, but just swelling from the surgery. He feels it has gotten a little better, and will completely go away over the next few weeks or months. We'll have to keep a watch, but at this point it looks as if there is no hydrocephalus, and therefore no need for a shunt! This is just amazing, as 80-90% of spina bifida kids have to have one. Of course, it could happen later. But for now, we're good. He cannot have any pressure on his back until it heals, so it will take some adjustments with sleeping, feeding, holding, trasporting, etc. He will have a specialized car seat (bed), and specialized positioners. He will also go home with an orthopedic boot on his leg to help correct the clubbing. We just finished infant CPR -- kind of scary.

Thank you all for praying. Many of you have prayed for God to give wisdom to the doctors. That prayer, in particular, I think He's answered mightily. Most of the doctors were pretty sure he needed to be shunted, but the neurosurgeon kept insisting that we wait. I believe that was clearly the Lord's doing. Please continue to pray for us as we make the transition and try to keep in mind all the many, many things we are learning in the process. God is good.

Family Time

Enjoyed some great family time tonight. Hannah thoroughly enjoyed her little brother. Tomorrow we really hope to get some more information and answers about what the doctors are thinking for Paton. The doctors are going to confer about the ultrasound and the back swelling. They should be evaluating him regarding when he might be able to go home, and if he will need a shunt.