Don't use that word when referring to my PRECIOUS baby!

 So yesterday was quite an emotional roller coaster for the Hip and Sassy family.  Bailey has been complaining more and more about the pain in her hip and over the weekend I noticed a physical change in her body.  The left hip was protruding and you could see it through her clothes.  She had been having trouble with her stamina and when she didn't "feel like" going to the mall, I KNEW it was time for concern.  (A shop-aholic NEVER passes up a trip the mall...!)

I called her surgeon's office and was told to take her to the ER as the surgeon was out for the holiday and there wasn't anything that could be done in the office.  In my haste and increased stress, I took her to our local ER as the surgeon's office didn't quantify that they wanted me to take her to Texas Children's ER.  As soon as the radiologist started trying to decipher her films, I realized my mistake.  This guy was at a total loss...if it weren't so sad, the look on his face would have been funny.  He was like "...what the heck am I looking at?!?!?" His first question was, "Has she had surgery on this hip?"   UH, DUH! Didn't you hear me when I came in here? So, needless to say, we had to make a rushed trip the Med Center for the RIGHT ER doctor to view her films. 

She was seen by several ER docs before the Orthopedic Surgeon on call made her appearance.  One of the ER docs did her exam and then stood back and said "...yes, there is an obvious deformity..."  UMMMM....EXCUSE ME?????  My baby is NOT deformed! NO BABY IS DEFORMED! All babies are precious...some more than others...   This word offends me to my very core! I know it wasn't meant in a malicious way...but I just think that no child/person should be described using this word. 

Deformity Defined:
de·for·mi·ty  (d-fôrm-t)

n. pl. de·for·mi·ties

1. The state of being deformed.

2. A bodily malformation, distortion, or disfigurement.

3. A deformed person or thing.

4. Gross ugliness or distortion.

Precious Defined:

pre·cious  (prshs)

adj.

1. Of high cost or worth; valuable.

2. Highly esteemed; cherished.

3. Dear; beloved.

4. Affectedly dainty or overrefined:

 

 

Now, aren't we all precious????

 

The Orthopedic Surgeon took a look at her and said that Bailey is okay, her hip wasn't out of socket...but it is close.  She has worn down her cartilage so now she is bone on bone and that is why she is in so much pain.  So, she just needs to rest a bit more and be more careful until we can make it to surgery in January.  She was also shocked and pleasantly surprised at what Bailey could do with that leg/hip.  She said "...GOSH! I thought by looking at your x-rays you wouldn't be able to do anything!"  This (again) is thanks to Bailey's dance teacher, Ms. Franklin.  Sweetness, you are most certainly at the top of  my family's list of things for which we are most thankful this holiday!  FYI:  Dance is more than just pretty girls shakin it! It IS a sport...one that requires endurance, strength and athleticism.  The fact that you get to wear cute outfits and look pretty while doing it is just icing on the cupcake!

 

Things we learned yesterday:

1.  quantify which ER is appropriate for a visit

2.  pack your patience

3.  pack snacks...it takes a while!

4.  DON'T mistake the fact (that just because you or your child may not look or act like the majority) we are all PRECIOUS! Those that are different from the rest or even more special.

 

Thankful for all of our blessings in abundance.  Hugs to you and yours from the Hip and Sassy Family!  XOXOXO

 

 

 

 

Amazing Sights!

I saw something today that absolutely amazed me and nearly brought me to tears.  Since birth, Bailey has not been able to put all of her weight on her left leg or balance on her left leg.  This fact made getting dressed, putting on shoes, etc. a bit of a challenge.  All of my cajoling never did anything to make her work on strengthening that leg...SO! Imagine my utter delight when, after just nearly 12 weeks in her dance class at school, she is able to put all of her weight on that leg and bear the weight for a bit as well!  She has balance, and is able to do yoga poses as well as her dance moves.  WEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

I often wonder if teachers realize the power/influence they have their students.  I also wonder if they hear from the parents just how great they are sometimes or is it just when we are unhappy with them that they hear from us?  Well, I don't know if Bailey's dance teacher will read this...so I will most certainly place a call to her on Monday morning to sing her praises.  She knows of Bailey's limitations and handles them in the most exceptional way possible.  She encourages Bailey to compete against her own best efforts and while she never forces Bailey to do more than she is capable of, she certainly holds her to a higher standard. 

Hats off to Ms. Franklin! Your encouragement, dedication and results have made this Hip and Sassy Momma VERY excited!!!   Thanks to you, Bailey is learning to push her body beyond the mental barriers she has set for herself; and, she is proving to herself that she can do anything she sets her mind to!  Thanks for your support!