Ossification

Ossification.  It's a lovely word to say, sort of rolls around your mouth and falls beautifully off your tongue.  Ossification.  It's a funny word to say too.  I keep wanting to tell a corny "No I haven't been drinking Ossifer" kind of joke.  Ossification.  This week it is my favourite word in the world. 

Wikipedia - Ossification (or osteogenesis) is the process of laying down new bone material by cells called osteoblasts. It is synonymous with bone tissue formation.

This is what it looks like:

You can see Boo's left side is shaped differently.  The socket is steeper and the ball is smaller.  Compared to previous pictures, the ball is huge.  This is ossification.

Over the last six months I've been watching our Boo running, climbing, jumping and dancing.  I've watched all of this wondering at each movement if her hip was still in place, watching for a sign that would confirm things either way for us.  Three months ago we saw Mr T and he was not happy with Boo's x-ray and another surgery was on the cards, but he wanted to wait to see what might happen - he mentioned something about miracles sometimes happening - yeah right.

Last week Boo had her nine month post op check, and I was made to take back all my cynicisim.  Miracles do happen.  Boo has ossification happening in her hip!  Go Boo my amazing little bone grower! 

What it means is that we've got a reprieve of 12 months before a final decision is made on further surgery.  Further surgery means an osteotomy - reshaping the pelvic bone using screws and plates, followed by another six week stint in a spica.  It could go either way but at least we have a great 12 months in front of us.  Roll on summer  - swimming at the beach, chasing kites at the park and riding bikes along the coast.

No words necessary

Happy family

Today, Mr T played Santa and gave us three great gifts.

1. Boo's latest x-ray shows that her hip is still firmly in place and not likely to move out again in a hurry.

2. The bloodflow to Boo's socket is good and is getting better meaning that the bone has a good chance to grow.

3. The brace is off, gone, out the door!!!

Boo seemed to know what was being said as she started clapping her hands when we were told the brace could go, and shes had a lovely afternoon since hopping around like a bunny.

Where to from here? Three monthly checks and x-rays to make sure it all goes to plan and a re-assessment in a couple of years to review the growth of the socket bone.

Happy family!

Brace yourself

For the last two weeks Boo has been in a Rhino Cruiser brace which supports the upper thighs, hips and waist.   The brace stays on almost 24 hours a day, but can come off for bath time and  nappy changing.  After the spica, caring for her in the brace is a breeze.

Boo is loving being able to have a bath, she splashes around, giggles and kicks her legs - it's so lovely to see her legs and feet again (and not have a stinky baby)!

The first 10 days or so didn't see much action, but in the last two days Boo has figured out how to sit up in the brace and has out how to shuffle around the floor.  So far only in circles, but I'm sure another few days will see her shuffling across the room and into plenty of mischief.

Sleeping is not so great (specially for J and I as we struggle to get up for work after a long night of wake up calls), although that might be more about the terrible twos rather than the brace!

Another appointment in 4 weeks and fingers crossed the brace will be able to be discarded (no it won't be going straight to the pool room).

Oh and yes... she's still smiling and dancing.