Not the News We Had Hoped For

You have probably determined by now that Ellie did not get to "ditch" the brace, since yesterday's news was NOT what we had hoped for. Here's the long story:

After our x-rays sometime after 9:30 a.m, we met with the doctor. He pointed out a concern...oh, no.....There is a gap showing up between the femoral head and Ellie's hip socket. When questioned about what that means, he stood in thought for some length of time and said he would like to get a CT scan. When further questioned about the possibilities and the ramifications, he said, "It probably means she'll be in the brace longer. It may mean that's just the way it's going to be."

We left Shriner's to go to down the street for a CT scan. Thank goodness, they worked with us to make all of that happen on the same day. Then we came back and waiting on everyone to get back from lunch and meet with the doctor again.

The good news, he said, was that her leg was "in" the socket, but, still a gap there to be concerned about. So, we devleoped a NEW plan.

NEW PLAN:
Ellie was fitted for a new brace, an SRO. In 3 weeks, we go back to Tampa to pick up the new brace. She will wear the SRO brace during the day time hours. And, she will be able to start trying to walk in the SRO brace. So, while not the news we'd hoped for, at least some good news for Ellie.

She will continue to wear the brace she's been in at night when she goes to bed.

She may need to wear these braces up to a year to try to force the femor to stay in the correct place.

Once again, we ask for your prayers. I'll admit I was discouraged and a little overwhelmed again yesterday. (It brought back the emotions I had last year when we were gathering all the information about Ellie's physical condition.) As we sat in the doctor's office, waiting again after the CT scan, I began to pray, and ask God to do what he says in His word He is able to do...more than we can ask or even think.

I am still some discouraged today. I ask for your prayers for Stan and me as we hope to encourage Ellie. I know God's grace is sufficient. I know that He loves her far more than I do, and I know His ways are not my ways. But, I also know every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. He is still there, holding our precious Ellie in His hand.

He will manifest His glory!