Prosthetics - Step #2

We traveled to Scottish Rite again this week to step #2 of the prosthetic process - test sockets. Using the molds created of Will's legs & feet 2 weeks ago, his prosthecist created plastic test sockets to check to see how they fit on Will. The test sockets can be modified if needed to make sure that the fit is perfect prior to making the prosthetics.
She had to screw on the test socket to make sure the fit was snug. Will is wearing special socks underneath to prevent rubbing. Unfortunately, one of the down sides to prosthetics is that they tend to be extremely hot. People with limb differences generally have a harder time regulating their body temperatures due to less surface area to sweat from. I've already noticed Will can get hot very quickly. For this reason, it is not wise to do prosthetics on all 4 limbs at once- it covers up too much surface area. They've warned us that he will be able to pour sweat out like water from his prosthetics- they are rather hot. (Thank goodness for the invention of air conditioning & for the fact that he will be able to walk on his own feet & not have to wear prosthetics all the time!)
Trying to keep Will occupied...
Drinking some milk & clapping his feet. He really liked how loudly he could clap his feet & legs with the test sockets on.
Standing up to check the fit. The prosthecist used a marker & special measuring tools to check how sung the fit was. She also poured a powder into the test socket & then tested to see how much of the powder ended up on Will's socks. The goal was to not have all the powder end up on his socks as that would mean too much pressure was being put on his feet bones & there would not be much growing room. I'm not gonna lie to you, our blog readers... it was a hard visit. It was long (2 hrs nearly) & during Will's afternoon nap time. Reagan wasn't with me as he was out of town so that was hard (although my mom went- thanks, Lovie.) Mostly, it was just hard to see part of Will's body covered up. It feels so wrong sometimes to cover him up. We so desperately want to do the right thing & for him to know he is accepted & loved just the way he is. Fortunately, he will be able to take his prosthetics on & off himself. We are so grateful they are not permanent & that we don't have to do any sort of amputation surgery. But it was nonetheless hard to see his little legs & feet encased in plastic. It was one of those days where I just think I can't do this... I just don't know if I can be the mom he needs. I don't know if I have the strength. Oh - I wish someone would hand me instructions for all of this- it was left out of "What to Expect- the First Year."

The final prosthetics will have feet on them by the way... they just don't put those on the test sockets. Not sure how they choose what size foot but I do think shoe shopping will be easy when I won't even have to take Will with me or he can crawl around & play while I fit the prosthesis!

I had a great conversation with Will's prosthecist (Wanda) about some of my concerns & fears. I shared with her about a melt down I had on Monday regarding my fears about sending Will to camp someday & how he would be treated by other kids. Letting go is going to be so difficult on me. I'm prepared (or I will be in 4 yrs) to go to kindergarten with Will & teach his classmates about kids with differences. However, realistically, I doubt I can go teach an entire camp someday. Anyway, I shared all of these fears with Wanda & she told me that Scottish Rite has a summer camp called "Out on a Limb" for kids starting at age 5. They will do all the normal camp activities & often have former patients come to hang out & talk to the kids (& their parents). It is for kids with limb differences. It's a whole week long & I was so excited to learn of this opportunity for Will in 4 years that I cried! Maybe if I sent him to camp first with kids with differences it might be easier for me (& him) to go to a regular camp. He would already know about camp & how to do ride horses & do other camp things. Plus, maybe he could make some friends which is always nice.

So, yesterday, I received a phone call from Wanda in which she told me that she pulled some strings & Will is going to be allowed to go to camp NEXT YEAR!!!! He'll be almost 2 & will get to go to camp (with us of course) for 2 days!!!! How great is that!?!?! Needless to say, I cried... again! I think Wanda knew how much Reagan & I could use the encouragement from other parents & former patients & to see kids with limb differences in action - doing normal camp things! I'm so excited!!! I told Will after his nap & he's excited too!

One of the blessings out of the past year has been to see the depth of grace & kindness people are capable of having. Yes, we've seen the depth of cruelty & prejudice but I must admit that in general, that is overshadowed by people's kindness. We have been blessed by anonymous donors to both Will's trust (to cover some of the expenses not covered by insurance) & to his marathon team. We have been blessed by people who have given him toys & clothes. We've been blessed by friends who have provided meals or cared for Will to give us a break. We have been so very blessed by friends who have called to check on us or made the extra effort to visit us when we've been stuck in hospitals. We've been blessed by you, our blog readers, who have kept up with our journey & often send an encouraging comment or e-mail. We've been blessed to find a state of the art medical facility which provides free care & to find therapists who are so affirming & encouraging. We've been blessed with an accepting family who give so much love to Will & support to us. But the best blessings are perhaps the little, unexpected moments- like when a little kid who has prayed for Will kisses his hands. Or when he smiles & I remember our fears he would never smile. Or when I see a stranger who had previously been staring start to melt & smile & play with Will in public. Or when people hold his hands & tickle his feet. Yesterday was one of those blessing moments. Wanda certainly didn't have to go out of her way to surprise us... but she did. And it means so much to us! Thank you to all of you who have blessed us this year!