Hip Dysplasia Week 1 Update

 Today was Caroline's first week wearing the Pavlik Harness and are first follow-up/ultrasound appointment.  We started off our day with a fun outing to the park at Scottish Rite.  Aubrey had a blast and Caroline enjoyed her bottle while being out in the warm weather.

Caroline's appointment was pretty good.  She is showing progress and the doctor did comment on the how great the progress was for only being in the harness for a week.  He wouldn't and really can't give any info on how long she will be in it, but it will be for several months.  He also said that he will not reduce her time in the harness and will only allow her to be out of it completely when her hip is healed.  I can and do let her out of it for baths, but that is about it.  She is allowed an hour, but I guess I feel that the more she is in it the better.  She now realizes when she is out of it and screams bloody murder when we put her back.  But, if I don't take her out during the day, she is as happy as a clam.  She did get her second harness today and we couldn't be happier!  Since there is no way to wash the harness and let it air dry in less than an hour, the thing ends up getting pretty funky with the smell of baby throw-up. 

I am feeling much better emotionally this week.  After a year of being on an emotional roller coaster and being extremely optimistic, the hip dysplasia blindsided me and basically sent me into a mini depression/pity party.  I know that God only gives you what you can handle, but some days it just seems like He has been keeping it coming.  I know this is not the case, but that is just how I was feeling this past week.  Like I said, I was having my own little pity party, but feel entitled to a little "poor me" or "poor Caroline!" time.  I know she won't remember any of this, but I will.  I just hope this becomes a distant memory and one of her only being in the harness and not the cast.  Looking forward to more POSITIVE results next Thursday.

Each difficult moment has the potential to open my eyes and open my heart.

-- Myla Kabat-Zinn