As a blogger! I've decided to start this blog because when our son was diagnosed with Congenital Vertical Talus (CVT), we of course googled the term - and found very, very little except abstracts and scientific journal articles. Nothing in any group. Nothing in any blog (that we have found). Nothing from any real people whose child had dealt with, and hopefully conquered, this diagnosis. Wow, I've also discovered that I hate typing or speaking the word "deformity."
So here's the story so far. On October 15, 2009 our son Ethan arrived to brighten our life. He showed up with very little fanfare, but with much anticipation. We had waited 6 years for this moment. He was my parents' first grandchild on the East coast. He was my husband's parents' first grandchild. And he was perfect in every way, except his right foot was folded up front-wise against his shin. It worried us, of course, but the pediatrician who examined him assured us that it was "just a packing problem," and they seemed very confident that it would work itself out. "The womb isn't square," we were told, "so this happens sometimes." No worries. After a few days under the heat lamps (he had jaundice), we took our beautiful son home.
Two week checkup, still we were assured that it was no problem. Again with the "it's a packing problem, and it will work itself out." The same thing followed at all of the subsequent appointments - not to worry. At his 4 month check up, the foot did indeed look better. But it still was obviously just not right. We were seeing the PA at our pediatricians' office, and she decided to refer us to the orthopedists at UNC, just to be sure. So, rather nervous, but pretty sure we would be coming home with a brace or a cast, we trekked up to Chapel Hill. The PA there examined our son's foot and, again, assured us that it was a packing problem and it should go away with time. He didn't take an x-ray, as he said there were so few bones that were visible in a baby's foot at this age. He didn't make us a follow up appointment, but encouraged us to keep stretching Ethan's foot and to give them a call if something changed.
Meanwhile, Ethan was growing and doing everything he should. He slept through the night (shout out to Babywise!), he rolled over, he started solids, he pulled to stand, he learned to crawl. He has the most people-pleasing personality, as he absolutely loves to make you smile, and he is SUCH a talker! He loves to laugh, and his smile lights up a room. We decided for me to (as much as the budget allows) stay home with Ethan, and I'm having a blast being a mommy.
Next time I'll cover more about our diagnosis day.
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