I had posted that Ailyn was diagnosed with hip dysplasia many times. The orthopedic doctor watched her very close. She had yearly x-rays. We switched doctors a couple times. The doctor we loved left the hospital. He had wanted to do the hip surgery around 7 years old. The doctor we chose at KK was not being proactive. The x-rays were always not done the way he liked so he would just tell us to come back 6 months later each time. A PT we saw recommended getting a second opinion. When we went to Hopkins and the doctor saw her X-Ray he said she needed the surgery now. Her hip was 43% out of socket and she was complaining of some knee pain. So a week later she went in for surgery! It was unexpected but we have been ready for this surgery so we were excited to get it done.
I've decided to use the blog for updates. A few family members and friends don't use Facebook and it's tough to update each person.
Ailyn had an open reduction, pelvic osteotomy and tenden lengthening. She has pins and plates that will need to come out in a year. The surgery was done on March 2nd. She was on 6 weeks of strict bed rest wearing a cast and a hip imoblizer wedge. We had home and hospital come out to our house for the services she receives in school. A teacher came 2 hours a day 4 days a week, speech 3x, OT 1x and after the 6 weeks PT came 2x a week.
After 8 weeks Ailyn was still in a lot of pain still having to take strong painkillers and Valium. By 12 weeks there was not much progress and the pain was still intense. I took her for an X-Ray to make sure she was ok. The NP suggested inpatient therapy. Very long story short, it took a month to be admitted to Mt. Washington children's hospital. We are very familiar with this hospital. It's where Ailyn did years of therapy. Yuba who is the service dog here was the one who Ailyn took her first steps to. She even made the news with Yuba and another YouTube video with him. So she was very comfortable when I told her we were coming to stay at Yuba's house (and of Yuba is on vacation until next week)
And, this is where our story begins..... Her day is very busy. It will start at 8:00am some days and end at 4:00. They have Child Life here who plays with the children.
I'll make another post about her first day today. It has been very intense but I know this is going to be the best thing for our Strawberry 🍓
