We Hurt...But We Still Hope.

It's been awhile, I know.

Things have been a little crazy around here.

So this will just be a quick update (I promise a good picture post will come soon enough!)...Just bear with me!

So...Cayden got his cast off on March 3rd, only two weeks of casting to prevent any more bone atrophy than necessary. That day, we also had the extra blood drawn for more genetic tests as planned. Once freed of the fiberglass leg, my fears from the last post became reality. Cayden wanted nothing to do with walking, and wouldn't even put his right foot to the ground. Is this going to last long?? We had no idea. Dr. Ballock told us that the healing process would really take a good 4 weeks, and with only 2 weeks of casting it wouldn't be a surprise if it took another 2 for him to start using it again.

So time passed. A week and a half later he finally put his foot to the ground. He walked/limped along furniture for the next 3 days - not walking on his own, but we were so happy with any progress.

Then we hit another big bump in the road. He took a tumble off the couch (typical 20 month old...thinks climbing up and down is a fun game - especially now that he could use both feet to do it!) and hit his right shin on the metal table leg. For most kids, this might have resulted in a sore leg and a nasty bruise...for my son...another FRACTURE. My worst fears literally smacked me in the face...again. I cried, and I cried, and he cried because I was crying. I blamed myself. He was splinted...he was casted...and here we are. Three weeks in a camouflage cast from the diaper to the toes. I was calmed and reassured by my family, my husband, our amazing doctor and even by the eyes of my precious son. Though tests have come back normal, there is some reason for this, and we will find it. And we will fracture, and he will be okay. Bones heal. And so do hearts. Mine breaks and hurts quite often because of all of these struggles...but I have hope. We have been accepted for treatment at the renowned Shriner's Hospital in Montreal and are arranging for follow-up care there. This is the Osteogenesis Imperfecta capital of the world. And they WILL find some answer. I am hopeful. So we will continue to live our lives, protecting our son as any parent tries to, but will be mindful not to shelter him in a way that would prevent him from thriving as any 20 month old should. He is strong, and he makes me strong. Some days are better than others...but we will all heal - just give us some time :-)

(Meme's blog has some recent pictures if you want to check them out! Thanks so much to all of your kind words and prayers - we recognize and are thankful everyday for the strength we feel from such support!)