Made it to Stanford okay, and early! We’ll probably be chilling in the waiting room for awhile. Amy made a new friend to play with, so she’s happy. 
X-rays today! Today was a big day, because first, I had a burning question. But first, the good news! Amy’s leg appears to be straightening! There is a 3% difference in the angle. All of a sudden between July and today, BAM. A little straighter! That’s awesome! He said not to get too excited, but if we see more (or the same) improvement in February, then there will be much high-fiving. 
Burning question #1: Amy is trying to stand and take tiny steps, particularly in the tub and when dressing/undressing. What do I do?” His answer surprised me. “Let her do her thing. Just keep a close eye, use your judgement, and be careful.”
The bigger burning question was, “Is Amy a candidate for a McFarland Bypass?” (This is also referred to as “Prophylactic Bypass Grafting” Read the study here.) This surgery is performed on kids who have an intact tibia- and there aren’t very many, so research is tough. The surgery grafts a cadaver bone onto the tibia, in hopes that the two bones will join together and begin producing strong, healthy bone, reestablish a healthy blood supply to the limb, and allow the limb to grow normally. If she was a candidate, and if we did it, I think it would give her her best shot, but she would still have to be braced until maturity.
I came armed, with x-rays of a friend’s child, as well as an abstract from a research paper from a study published in 2002, and an article written back in 1961. (Like I said, research is hard to find.) Dr. Hoffinger had never heard of this procedure before I had mentioned it back in March, and I wasn’t able to find it in his office last time – so this time I had printed everything up.
His answer confirmed why this doctor is perfect for us.
First, while taking a picture of my article, he skimmed it and exclaimed, “Oh! Rich authored this!” “Rich” is Dr. Richard Davidson, and is an orthopedic attending at CHOP in PA. Apparently, they’ve been friends for years. How about that? He said that he (Hoffinger) was old and set in his ways, and that he had a good amount of experience. Due to this, he likes to do things his way, which will typically have expected results. But, Amy is different. He doesn’t really know what will happen, or what the best recourse will be, because she’s a bit of an outlier.
“Here you have a kid with a crazy tibia, who is essentially asymptomatic. The risk of the surgery, would probably be pretty low, but what would the gain be for someone like her? Would it be worth it? That’s not something I have an answer to. But I’m open to it. I’ll give Rich a call, and we’ll talk. Then we get back together and discuss it.”
Then he thanked me for bringing this to his attention, and thanked me for being his partner in making Amy better. Guys, I just about lost it right there. I trust this man, and am willing to put my child’s life in his hands. Whatever he says- I’m good with that. But I just can’t even begin to tell you how it feels to be listened to, and validated. At Shriners, I felt continually blown off with my concerns and questions. But here? I am beyond grateful that this man is leading Amy’s care.
Anyway, after I got all emotional and he hugged me, I got two prescriptions. One was to repair (or replace) Amy’s current brace. Because (surprise!) she broke it. Again. “Don’t feel bad! She’s out there being a kid, jumping and playing-broken braces are signs we’re doing our job. celebrate them!” says he. The second prescription he told me to hang onto for a couple months. She’s about to outgrow her brace. So if I need a new prescription for growth, I already have one in my back pocket. I love that man.
Next x-rays and clinic visit are scheduled for February 19th. Orthotist appointment (with Phil, our new orthotist) is scheduled for 8:30am tomorrow morning. Other than that, I sit and wait for a phone call. I did my job – now we wait. 
