Last week, Jonalyn had an appointment with her CP/orthopedic doctor. For two years, we have been wrapping these straps around her legs to try to turn out her femur bones, thus turning out her feet. She intoes so badly. You can see it in this picture.

Lately we’ve noticed that she’s been intoeing even worse. She’s been tripping over her own feet and falling more. As she grows, this is becoming more dangerous. It’s only a matter of time before she breaks a limb.

Strapping her was a long shot. This manipulative procedure works with smaller children whose bones are more flexible. Jonalyn’s bones didn’t turn.

I’m waiting for the nurse to return my call, because we have decided to schedule surgery for Jonalyn. Hopefully in August, she will have a femoral derotation osteotomy. The surgeon will cut her femurs – yup, right through the bone – then will turn the bone and secure it all with screws and plates. Sounds fun, right??

They will also do a procedure to help her with her fallen arches on her right foot.

It’s hard as a parent to purposely inflict pain on your child. We didn’t want it to come to this, but we have run out of options. She will be in a wheelchair for about three weeks. Her foot surgery will require a cast for six weeks. She will need a good deal of physical therapy. The total recovery time is three to six months.

Is it a blessing that she doesn’t understand this? I’m not sure.

I’ll keep regular updates coming as we near surgery time. Right now we covet your prayers as we make the preliminary appointments and as we prepare Jonalyn for this procedure.