Please go down one post to see close up photos of Amelie’s hands and how she uses them.
Click on the photo above to see the entire album. Here she is after being woken up early with fun mohawk hair.
Yesterday we took Amelie for her first evaluations at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. We have heard over and over how they have some of the best children’s hand surgeons in the world and how wonderful the staff was. We spent three hours there yesterday and it really was wonderful. The absolutely amazing thing is that the entire place operates on donations – they have never charged a family for their services. For us it was a bizarre sort of experience to just sign a few forms and confirm our address. Then we went from room to room and person to person for the evaluations. None of the staff was rushed and they took time to talk to us and answer our questions. At one point we had 4 professionals in the room with us at one time! Since they don’t have to answer to any insurance companies they were able to do the tests on her and to schedule her first surgery.
Amelie in the waiting area.
First exam room.
The orthopedic nurse checking Amelie out.
The occupational therapist so so impressed with what Amelie could do with her hands.
Then the Orthopedic doctor came in and checked Amelie out and told us that there was nothing to worry about with her toes and that she wouldn’t have any problems with her balance. He also told us to just purchase shoes that were comfortable and not worry about special shoes. Then we moved on to the hand clinic. We saw a doctor and a fellow and then they sent us on to get some x-rays of her hands. Amelie thought that was totally weird and was watching closely at each step. Here is Amelie in the waiting area.
Then they called us back to the exam room and we met with the hand surgeon. He showed us Amelie’s X-rays and then told us they wanted to let the right hand grow some more before deciding what to do. Then he talked to us all about her left hand and that they think she can get a lot of use out of it with surgery. He said they would try to separate the digits in one surgery, but it would depend on the blood vessels in her hand. We are prepared that there might be a second surgery a few months after the first. After the doctor left one of the hand nurses came back in and talked to us about dates and details on preparing for the surgery. She also let us know that Amelie would have to be in a cast for at least 3 weeks and how to care for her.
We asked about physical therapy after the surgery and they said all we have to do is let her play. What a deal! Amelie’s first surgery will be April 6th.
And just for fun, look at the cool ship!
