Teen Hipster - Adeline’s Hip Dysplasia Journey

Adeline is 12 weeks post op this week!  She has PT at CORE twice a week, plus does her exercises on her own nearly every day.  Adeline over compensated for so long because of the pain - trying to learn to walk correctly is half the battle right now.  She struggles with *feeling* like she's ready to do more, but letting her body ease back into it... she wants to do track and basketball so badly right now! The girl has goals for this summer ... healthy eating (recipes galore), running (100 miles), shooting (10,000 baskets).  She told me the other day... you know mom, this minor setback is truly GOING TO BE my greatest comeback.  Yes, dear... we absolutely have no doubt!  She also keeps talking about how excited she is to NOT have pain this summer. Will Adeline have the gigantic screws removed?  We will leave that up to her.  Dr. Novais thought she might want to because she will likely feel them poking out of her side and/or rubbing on her cloth...

I’m a little behind at updating the blog! Adeline was cleared to walk at 8 weeks unassisted.  Happy girl!!

Adeline is 4 weeks post op! She’s had one week of PT and is now up to 50% weight bearing. photo from Coach Gilbertson hip warrior - battle wound A shout out to our youngest three kiddos: they have been great through all of this! We’re so darn lucky. 

Today was the first day Adeline went to school since her surgery.  It was hard leaving her there.  I worried.  Would she would be in pain?  Would her peers be kind?  Would her teachers be compassionate?  Junior high is tough some days!! First of all, she had many of her friends running into the office greeting her with hugs while we were there waiting for the school nurse.  Adeline's face just lit up.  They studied her schedule - deciding who was helping when.  The nurse offered support too. A few of Adeline's teachers have been especially amazing.  Encouraging her, loving her, and just - well, being part of our village.  One of her teachers even went as far as talking to the class about helping her when she returned and also had her tell them about her surgery.  Two incredibly kind coaches have invited her to help manage their basketball team - reassuring her it's not a hassle to haul the dreaded wheelchair.  Overall, ...

Adeline's surgery was Monday, 7th.  She was released from the hospital on the afternoon of Thursday, 10th.  Chuck helped us get situated into a hotel - gave us hugs, then ran out the door to catch an Uber to the airport to get back to Wyoming.  Adeline rested the remainder of Thursday and Friday, then got busy on homework. Katie & Alli got here on Monday 14th late afternoon.  We spent most of the day on Tuesday at Museum of Science.  Toured Fenway Park on Wednesday morning the 16th.  Then, were blessed to be given Celtics tickets for Wednesday night by the Shamrock Foundation.  It was a great game against Toronto Raptors!! This morning (17th) we went to BCH for Adeline's post op appointment.  Our flight leaves Boston at 6pm tonight and we will be home after midnight.  Incredibly excited to see everyone, especially the rest of our family. How is Adeline doing?  Really well!  She plans to return to school on Monday.  Does ...

We're grateful for... grandparents that stayed with the kids for the few days that both Chuck and I were in Boston family and friends that have helped with the kids your prayers all the care packages friends who are bringing us meals because it is one less thing for us to think about  calls, message, or email to check on us wildly, fun FaceTime calls from school or practice bosses and co-workers who are understanding and helpful amazing school who is helping make sure Adeline can return comfortably our new hippie buddies Dr. Novais, Ariana, and everyone at BCH and for close friends... who travel across the States to be with us for our last few days ❤️ Katie & Alli made it! basketball team lovingly wearing Adeline’s number on surgery day friends who pray with and for each other at school

A few weeks before surgery we wrote Coach K and told him our daughter happened to be the biggest Duke fan we knew. We shared she was facing a major surgery that would sideline her for awhile. I mean, how many 13 year old girls ask for a “I Still Love Laettner” shirt for Christmas? Adeline and Christian have watched the documentary at least half a dozen times. They have watched every episode of the ESPN / Duke Earn Everything series multiple times. Their closets and bedrooms look like the Duke Bookstore 🤪 hallway in between the kids room yes, actual miles to stadium from our house! A few days before surgery, Adeline got a really cool package in the mail.  She got some love from her favorite team, Duke Blue Devils 💙🏀💙 #coachkrocks TO ADELINE STAY STRONG & ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART   SIGNED 8x10 FROM TEAM

Adeline was released from the hospital today! She also got her first shower since surgery. We moved to a hotel down the street from the hospital. Not nearly as affordable as the medical housing, but being comfortable and well rested is important too. Dad heads back to Sheridan tonight, which we are super bummed about. Loved having him here with us. He hasn’t slept much or very well here. He will arrive in Sheridan at 2am on Friday morning, care for the kids, and then work all day.  So, if anyone is around and can try to help him this weekend - this mama would be grateful! Chuck has been Super Dad through all of this. We’re so lucky he’s ours. I’m missing my kiddos at home like crazy, but I’m so incredibly grateful for this time with Adeline. We will stay in Boston until the 17th for her post-op appointment and arrive in Sheridan on the 18th. Adeline will use crutches to get around for short distances around the house, but for the next 8ish weeks her main mode of transportation...

Yesterday was tough at times. Adeline had pain and was generally uncomfortable with all the cords attached to her.  She wanted to move, but it just was too much.  She was so dizzy and weak.  Making it to the chair last night was such an accomplishment and it took everything she had. We were warned today could be just as hard if not harder. Today is awesome! No more nerve block. She has regular clothes on. Adeline is disconnected from everything. She took a few steps in the hallway this morning. Took a wheelchair ride to the cafeteria for lunch. This afternoon for her second PT session she did a few stairs!

Adeline made it to the chair & is excited to watch her team play tonight ❤️

I'll do a separate post tonight to update everyone on how the rest of the day goes! sleeping beauty - right after surgery in recovery she says those are sky blue socks, not Carolina blue! Adeline did great through the night.  The nerve block is managing her pain really well and she rates her pain as a 1.  During surgery, Adeline lost a decent amount of blood 750 cc and they were able to recycle 250 cc of her own blood and give it back.  Her doctor said depending on her levels and how she is feeling, she will probably just need to take an iron supplement.  She is starting to get some color back.  She ate really light dinner last night, breakfast this morning, plus has been drinking TONS of water. Physical therapy came at 10:30am.  They worked with her showing her how to re-position in her bed, moving her feet, and waking up / flexing her leg muscles.  She stood up twice with lots of assistance.  They explained that for her surgery hi...

UPDATE #3:  4pm - Dr. Novais just met with us.  Said everything went beautifully - she can wiggle her toes!  The nurse came and said she has opened her eyes to ask for water.  We get to see her in a few minutes. Pictures above are Adeline’s left hip.  Before surgery on the left and after on the right. The socket now covers the ball of the femur almost completely now.  The three screws (see them, dark long things in the pic on the right?) are holding it all together.  Eventually, the bone will grow into this gap and the hardware can be removed if it's uncomfortable for her. UPDATE #2:  3pm - They just put the hardware in.  Another hour of surgery.  Everything is going great so far. UPDATE #1:  1pm - We just got a call.  They are 30 mins into the surgery our next update won't be until 2:30pm.  They took her back at 11:30am, but takes awhile to get things set up and started.  They said actual surgery is about...

Surgery is scheduled for Monday, January 7th at 11:30 eastern time (9:30 mountain time).  We have to be there to check in at 10am (8am mountain time).  They will give her lots of anesthesia - IV, oral, breathing mask and regional nerve block for her left hip.  Before she enters the operating room, she will be completely asleep. Dr. Novais estimated that Adeline's surgery will take approximately 4-5 hours.  At one point, a few years ago, there was concern about Adeline's femur.  Please be praying that her surgery is limited to just her hip!  A nurse will update us every 90 minutes.   The first day Adeline will mostly be sleeping, but the second day - the goal is to get her sitting up in a chair.  The next day, the in-patient therapists will start working with her.  She will be in the hospital for four days.

We are grateful that we have had some time for fun together on this trip. On, Friday we went to the New England Aquarium and the Boston Skywalk Observatory .  We walked around one of the malls for a bit, then ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Today, we went to the Harvard Museum of Natural History .  There was a Panera (Adeline's favorite!) on the map within walking distance, so we walked there for a late lunch.  Chuck gets in late tonight and we are excited to see him.  Miss the rest of our family terribly!! Tomorrow we are going to go check out The Freedom Trail .  Adeline wishes she could fly to Billings to play basketball with her team for *one last* tournament, but she will be back in action before she knows it!

Written by Adeline: It was a long day of waiting and appointments.  Our day started at 9am when we headed to Boston Children Hospital.  Our first appointment was with the anesthesiologists.  They talked to me about my general health, had us sign some papers, then told me about what they are going to do to get me asleep- IV's and gas, and then I had blood taken.  It actually did not hurt at all because they had special numbing cream!  All of that took about 2 hours.  After my anesthesiologist appointment we headed up to the orthopedics building to meet with my surgeon, Dr. Novais.  There we signed more papers and talked to Dr. Novais.  He explained my surgery more in depth, looked at my x-rays, and showed me where my incision was going to be.  His nurse practitioner, Ariana told me about my recovery and how she is going to help me get better as soon as I can.  They are both very kind and amazing!   We had some lunch at the ...

Adeline's surgery will reduce her pain and preserve her hip.  If she doesn't have surgery, the pain could increase as the cartridge in her hip continued wearing down and became more arthritic.   A periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a surgery where  the hip socket will be cut free, rotated downward to provide more coverage for the femoral head, then the hip is re-attached with screws.   Adeline has been visiting children's hospital's since kindergarten for her hips.  We started at Denver Children's Hospital, which is where we met Dr. Novais.  He then moved to Boston Children's Hospital (BCH).  The surgical team at BCH has done more PAO's than any hospital in the country.  When you talk with Dr. Novais, his demeanor instantly puts you at ease.  He has spoken to Dr. Jeremy and our family on the phone numerous times on the phone.  We feel like this is the best care for our daughter.  And it is well worth traveling across...

Hip dysplasia means that the hip socket is too shallow to support the ball of the hip.  Sometimes, children are born with hip dysplasia and wear harnesses when they are babies.  However, in Adeline's case she has developmental dysplasia of the hip.  She had all the odd's stacked against her, unfortunately.   Along with inheriting her dad's good looks, she also got his bad hips.  He found out in his early 30's, because he was having pain and limping.  Dr. Jeremy had him come in for x-rays and found the problem.  He then had all our kids come in too.  All of them have dysplasia, like their dad, Adeline's is the worst.  She also had the other factors stacked against her that  lead to dysplasia - first born (not as much room in the womb), girl (more ligament laxity), and breach position.   

W e left our house at 8:45am and arrived at our medical housing at 10:30pm.  Phew - it was a long day! Adeline Traveling - Never such a thing as too much Duke-ness, right? Yawkey Family Inn, Boston Children's Hospital Medical Housing