3/2/2020 - non emergent interventions

We went to the Spina Bifida Clinic today to talk about casting Annelise's clubbed feet.  The idea is that over 6 weeks, she'll get a new cast each week, and they will slowly turn her feet to a more outward direction.  There's a possible surgery at the end of that to release the tight Achilles tendon.... and it's possible that the casting might not work, in which case there is a surgical alternative.... it if weekly casting is the least invasive, and it seems pretty invasive...then we'd prefer casting over a surgery.
All this is to set her up for success, in case she shows us that she is able to be mobile someday!  It is entirely unknown what she will be capable of.  The challenges are low muscle tone, a dislocated hip that won't go back in its place, and the spina bifida of course, causing who knows what nerves to be connected or not.  My thoughts on casting is the sooner we start, the sooner we can be done!
It's surreal to be planning interventions "just" to increase her quality of life... and not straight up lifesaving surgeries.  In a way it's a little bit more difficult to say yes to... because why voluntarily put her through another surgery?
We don't know how long the Lord has planned for her life.  But we aren't planning for her to leave, we are planning for her to live!  God is in control of the details.  We fall more in love with her cuteness every day, and we've had 38 weeks of days being better just because she is here to share them with us 💗💗💗