Today we had another check up at RLH. I had already told Maisie about this visit on Friday. Because she is now 3 and is capable of understanding things, I thought it would be best to tell her. We discussed that they were going to take pictures of the tops of her legs and have a feel to check they are getting better. Maisie seemed to understand. She asked questions over the weekend - which is what I wanted her to do! All was fine Sunday day time. Our eldest daughter Hailie was staying with Nanna to make things easier in the morning and so she didn't have to get up earlier with us.
The alarm was set for 6.30am. We had to get to London for 9.40am. Whilst getting ready, Maisie claimed her ear was hurting, she honestly convinced me & Alan her ear was sore, so we gave her some calpol. Most of the way there she claimed she felt sick and thought she was going to be sick, to the point she was gagging.
From arriving, we were, as always sent to the xray department. This time was slightly different from the last. This time she was able to keep her knickers on, before she was in nappy's so they had to be removed. I also was taken behind the screen. This alone makes Maisie so brave, laying there nice & still while they take each of the two xrays needed.
Waiting to be seen back in outpatients wasn't too long a wait, which was good. While in the waiting room I noticed a sign with Mr Paterson's name on, it said that in December 2012 he retired. Maisie is now back under the care of her original surgeon Ms Maizen.
Upon being called through, we firstly looked at Maisie's xrays, which are the best we've seen them! Although there is still a lot of growth needed, her femur head is now shaping to look somewhat like her good right hip. There is a noticeable hip socket height difference, that's just something she will have to live with. We explained our concerns over her recent rapid increase of pain, her refusing to walk short distances, and told how she now goes to nursery and dancing, generally more active. Maisie being more active coupled with growing and the below freezing temperatures are the probable causes for any pain and/or discomfort that she has felt. We then watched Maisie walk, first with her shoes on, then without shoes, socks or trousers. All other necessary checks were made on the bed and we're all fine. While Maisie was on the bed, I explained that while I was examining Maisie at home I noticed what felt like extra bone along side her hip socket, only a slight feel was needed before she explained, it is where they had to cut to do her open reduction, which was performed twice. The bone should have stuck itself back together, but Maisie's hasn't so has been left with a dip. As she grows and gets more weight around her hips it will become less noticeable and is just a deformity that she will have to live with. Maisie's leg lengths were measured too, there is still a discrepancy somewhere between 1/2 - 1cm for this to aid Maisie and relieve some of the pressure on Maisie's hip, we have been referred to Mile End Hospital, Whitechapel to have Maisie fitted with shoe inserts. We will go back to RLH in 6 months, more xrays and to see how the instep is going.
Steph xxxx
