Our Big Doctor Day

Yesterday Samuel had his Shriner's Hospital appointment. This was our first time to get his spina bifida checked out and see what's going on in his little body. The day was a lot longer and more involved than I expected- we were there or over at Children's Hospital across the street for  7 hours. Samuel was not happy to be at the doctor and after starting with the urologist he determined this was all a bad idea. Nothing they needed to do was painful, thankfully, but it was all we could do to keep him cooperative.

Momentarily pacified with videos.

Here he's getting casted for his special brace. Poor little guy. It didn't hurt, he'd just had enough. (Well, he had enough right when the day started.) I didn't take pictures when he was crying, but this super sad face was too cute to pass up.

(LATE lunch between tests.) This was a full-on bribe. Don't let his smile fool you, he is not happy with us.

When families first enter at Shriner's they are given a pager that vibrates, lights up, and gives typed out instructions on where you need to go next. Late in the day Sam picked it up out of my hand and ran his finger across the middle saying, "All done." He looked up at me, quite hopeful that I would believe it. Smart and funny guy.

Overall the news is great- his bones seem to be in good shape and the twisting in his hip, leg, and foot are all tight muscles. He is getting a cast and they will re-evaluate in a couple months to see how well he's progressing. Surgery is an option but it's possible the cast process will be enough. Other issues are all wait and see for now.

The doctors and physical therapists were impressed with his strength. He's been riding his bike almost every day and quickly getting stronger. I can almost see it happening in the moment. Three weeks ago he needed gentle pushes every few seconds as we walked alongside him. Now he needs maybe one or two helps as he rides along on our long walks! But don't help him one nanosecond longer than necessary, your hand will be roughly removed. He can do it!

 

Riding his bike to the bus in the morning, before he knew he was going to the doctor. 

Meanwhile, Isaac had his first dance class last night. He loved it! He's doing hip-hop, and watching his class was one of the highlights of my life. Seeing him in his element, so happy and doing what God made his body to do so well.

Every morning Sam and I walk Isaac to the bus stop and in the afternoon we walk back to pick him up. We all love this ritual, and I melt every time Samuel giddily waits for Isaac to get off the bus and then they have a big hug. Sam loves school busses and says 1000 times a day, "Ge ge bus. Di di no bus." He knows that when he starts preschool he won't ride the bus. But he is still quite anxious to go to school like Ge ge.

During the day there is so much I want to remember to treasure in my heart and to share, then the afternoon wears into the evening and by bedtime I have nothing left in my body or brain. Usually I curl up in bed right after the boys do, hoping to scrape together enough recharge to win tomorrow. That's just Mom Life I think. Exhausting. But these boys are so worth it. I often think- how did we get the two best little boys in, truly, the whole world?!