We’re home, until Sunday when we’ll make the whole trip once again… leaving on Sunday evening and coming home late Monday night. Thankfully Chris is able to take Mondays off for the next few weeks so we’re all set as far as the kids go. And when everyone woke up on Tuesday morning, no one seemed to have noticed that I’d been gone 😉
I sure missed everyone, though. It felt like I’d been gone forever! The trip was quite an adventure and I am hopeful that our next trip won’t
be quite so, well, exciting (read: anxiety producing!) Once we arrived in Iowa everything went smoothly… the rental car, drive to RMH, stay at RMH (love the people at that place!) and our visit to see the fantastic folks at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. It was wonderful to see Dr. Morcuende again, I have the utmost respect for him as a doctor and as someone dedicated to helping children in need. He travels all around the world to teach and educate others on the benefits of serial castings over surgery. He’s even traveled to China several times and is hopeful that the Ponseti method will continue to gain momentum as a way to treat children born with clubfoot.
He examined Shepherd and said that he thinks his feet are similar to Jude’s, but that Shepherd doesn’t have a more affected foot like Jude did. I am holding out hope that Shepherd will only need 5-6 casts, Jude needed 7. But however many he needs, it’s an incredibly small price to pay for perfect little feet!
Shepherd tolerated the casting pretty well. He didn’t mind Dr. Morcuende fiddling with his feet and other than fussing when his feet were stretched, he barely cried at all. He seemed happy to take an O*reo in each hand when I offered them to him and soon his protests were a distant memory.
After we finished up at the UofI we headed to the mall for some fun on the kiddie rides and lunch with my good friend Lisa. Lisa and I met last summer when she took such wonderful care of us during our stay in Iowa last summer. She and her precious kiddos met us for lunch and as usual, we had a great time. It was a fast visit, as we had to get packed up and out of RMH by 3:00, but knowing we’d be back in a week made saying goodbye a whole lot easier!
We were able to get back to the airport, rental car returned and all bags accounted for in plenty of time for our flight (even after Shepherd had to have his hands and casts swabbed by TSA… go figure!?) Thankfully, there was no 3 hour delay for our flight this time and we flew out on time. We arrived home before 11:00PM and amazingly, our littlest traveler slept the entire night that night, new casts and all!
Such familiar photos, just with a different little guy. It’s great to hear that Shepherd did so well with the casting. Is there much pain involved for as the muscles, ligaments, etc. are stretched? (My boys just got braces and there were lots of complaints…braces seems minor in comparison). Anyway, the doctors sound incredible and it is great that you can somehow manage to go back and forth from home so that can treat Shepherd as they did Jude. You’re a great advocate for your children and it is inspiring!
Following along from California as we hope to be doing the same ting with Bryson come December! Glad that you are back. Enjoyed follwing your blog while you were in China.
Hi Stefanie!! I am so glad Shepherd did so well with his casting!! Lizzie got her first cast yesterday and did great as well!! Our children are just so amazing!! Please keep me posted on his progress!!!
Ann
Wow, Stefanie…Shepherd’s little eyes are so bright and happy. He just looks like he’s always been there!
I’ve been missing you!
It is SO good to see him with those casts on his feet, knowing the beautiful outcome that we will see in the upcoming weeks. You are such an inspiration to me. You just dig your heels in, set your heart on what’s important, and get ‘er done! I LOVE that about you! And I love your beautiful family!
I think I said this before, but I’ll be emailing you soon.
I’m praying for you friend!
Wow… he seems to be doing so great! What a trooper.
Silly question, but when you go back each week do they switch the casts, each time? So, he would only wear he casts for 5-6 weeks?
FABULOUS!!! So glad this first trip went so well! Prayers continue that the rest are as smooth…even smoother! 😉
Shepherd is so darn CUTE…casts & all! 🙂
What a precious boy – and quite a trooper! Sounds like his mommy is a trooper as well. 🙂
Stefanie,
I’m so glad to hear your trip and Shepherd’s first casting went well. He looks like he is adjusting beautifully. He has such a twinkle in his eyes. What an adorable little guy!
He is just so precious! I could look at him all day long. Looking forward to watching those sweet little tootsie’s straighten out. : )
Wow! Rack up those frequent flier miles girl! That’s awesome though that you get to make quick trips and come HOME each time… last summer I think I remember you saying it was a LONG time in Iowa!
Glad to see you’re back!
Looks like your first months home are going to fly by-literally AND figuratively!
Hugs to all your precious kids!
And one of these days… a Tori update? How is your sweet oldest girl doing?
Prayers for the whole clan!
Holly
Stefanie,
So glad to hear that all went well. I will keep Shepherd in my prayers for the least amount of castings as possibles.
By the way, can I tell you for the 100th time how incredibly scrumptious he is? Oh my!!
Hugs,
Ohilda
wow! what a trip! so glad it went well…and can’t wait to see the end results!
P.S. i’ve missed you!!!!
What a trooper! He looks great and it seems the casts don’t bother him. I hope everything goes smoothly from here.
He’s still cute as ever!
Stefanie, SO GLAD to see everything going so well! We are praying for you!!!
Love,
-nicole
Yeah Shepherd!
It must feel so good to have his treatment underway! Isn’t it exciting to see how much straighter those little feet look even in the first cast? I can’t wait to follow his progress, hang in there Stephanie, we are thinking about you all!
Best wishes,
Anne and Luke
I love that first picture of Shepherd! Oh..that little smile. 🙂
So glad to hear he did well. We’ve actually just added club foot/feet to our MCC. Alot of that has to do with reading about your experiences with the boys. So..thank you! 😉 Can’t wait to see Shepherd’s progress in the coming weeks. Many blessings to you and your beautiful family!
Your children are beautiful – and Shepherd is no exception! He is SO cute!!
Glad you are home (for the time being 🙂 Shepherd looks so happy! Enjoy the family!!
So glad your home. I hope and pray for the lesser of castings for Shepherd. He looks so happy.
So happy to read that all went well. Have to say it again- loved your detailed blog in China. Thank you!
Trena
(our LL is waiting with Nicole’s Logan in XZ)
Wow, he really seems pretty tolerant so far!! And with the heat & humidity & everything else you have going on – you are an AMAZING woman. 🙂 Amazing!
Boy, does Shepherd look happy! He sure has blended in well. Here’s hoping he gets through it all quickly.
Doreen in Montreal
Stef, this is wonderful…Shep looks like a real trooper! You are one amazing mamma!
H
Stefanie,
I am thrilled that Shepherd did so well with the trip to Iowa and his first casting. I can remember that our Emily screamed through every one of her castings so having such a happy camper must have made it so much easier. Glad everyone seems to be settling in and adjusting well.
Continued blessing and prayers for your family.
Nichole
So exciting to see Shepherd’s progress!! And to see his bright eyes and wonderful spirit! Can’t wait to follow as he grows! OX
Hooray, Shepherd!! So glad the trip was smooth and the casting was painless. Welcome home! (for now)
Stefanie, I am so glad to hear that it went well for Shepherd’s first casting!! What a little trooper!!! So glad you were able to go back to the same dr. in Iowa that helped Jude. Watch out, after those casts come off I bet it will be hard to keep up with that little guy!!! 🙂
Rebecca
I received the Katelyn’s Fund newsletter today and noticed both of our families were featured in it! That is great about Shepherd’s feet.
Tara
very happy that Shepherd did well with casting, I am sure that he will have normal feet soon.
Really like to adopt a baby boy like him, so cute!
Julie Bouchard
So glad to hear everything went well well for your adorable Shepherd. Welcome home BTW. I would imagine it’s felt like kind of a whirlwind since you got home from China. Gotta give you credit..I’d be dizzy =)
he is absolutely and completely sweet!