Cali-Malinda
Donation protected
Cali Tisbert is an active, intelligent and fun-loving 4yr old girl. Approximately 6wks ago, the Tisbert family received a diagnosis that turned their world upside down: Developmental Dislocation of the Hip(DDH).
Mom and dad shared concerns that one of Cali’s legs was shorter than the other when she was an infant and they were told everything was normal, “it is normal for two feet and/ or legs to be a slightly different length,” doctors said. When Cali started walking, mom and dad could see her push onto her toes on the left side, they felt this was because one of her legs was shorter than the other, again their pediatrician said everything seemed normal. At 3yrs old, she was walking on her toes on one side, not sometimes, all the time. They were worried it would lead to back problems or other joint pain/ injuries in the future. Since their concerns had not been validated by doctors, they turned to a Chiropractor for help. The Chiropractor said her back was fine but her hip seemed “slightly out.” After a “small adjustment,” the Chiropractor said, “Cali should be good to go but would like to see her again in 3-4 months.” When the Tisberts left the Chiropractor, Cali was still walking on her toes on the left side so they knew nothing had been corrected. That is when they contacted a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon to get an expert opinion from someone that specialized in lower limbs and children. They were expecting the doctor to confirm their theory that one leg was shorter than the other. They expected to hear something like, “Cali will need to wear a corrective shoe for the rest of her life.”
This is when the nightmare began and the reality of what was ahead was first explained by a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. Although no one can tell exactly when the dislocation occurred, especially with such a late diagnosis, it clearly seemed that Cali’s hip has been completely dislocated her whole life. Mom and dad did not even know hip dysplasia and hip dislocation existed nor that all pediatricians were expected to examine children for this after birth and at each regular follow up check up(especially when a child was born after their due date, born a large baby and/ or born breached). Cali was born 9.1lbs, she was delivered 16 days past her due date and she was face up when delivered(in fact her forehead was cut during the C-section because the doctor was unaware she was face up). Since lack of space in the womb is one of the main causes of DDH, and mom/ dad were sharing concerns about a difference in her leg length, it seems inconceivable that a simple hip X-ray was not ordered.
Mom and dad began contacting other Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons for second, third, fourth and fifth opinions, to help them consider all options. But all the professionals, scientific evidence and all of the research pointed to the same treatment plan: Cali, needs a major hip surgery to correct the dislocation and it needs to happen asap. Surgery plan(open reduction w/ pelvic & femoral osteotomies): Reshape the socket as needed, move the femur into the socket, strengthen the ligaments around the joint, shorten the femur, cut into the pelvis and add a piece of the femur to help better the roof(help prevent dislocating again), followed up with a Spica cast which begins below the chest and goes down both legs(Cali will be immobile for 3mo needing to be cared for 24/7). A major surgery with the biggest concern being damaging the blood supply to the femur causing avascular necrosis(head of the femur dies due to lack of blood).
The thought of putting Cali through this major hip surgery is heartbreaking to say the least. There must be other options, right? Not really. In fact, the Tisberts were informed that if they did not see Cali until she was 5 or 6yrs old(Cali just turned 4yrs), no credible and experienced team of surgeons would agree to do the surgery because success of the surgery is based on children before the age of 4yrs(since pediatricians are supposed to look for this, children are usually diagnosed and treated between 6mo - 2yrs). If left untreated, Cali would be guaranteed a life of disability, hip pain and/ or knee back problems, early onset arthritis, etc., even if she was lucky enough to make it into her 30’s before a full hip replacement. They said no surgeon would agree to put an artificial hip in someone less than 20yrs of age so the only option for her would be pain management until she was at an age hip replacement was acceptable(artificial hips have only been shown to last around 15yrs and second and third hip replacements haven’t proven great results). Doctors also explained to the Tisberts that installing an artificial hip in someone that has lived with a dislocated hip for their entire life is an extremely difficult task.
In summary, the Tisberts are a strong family and their ultimate goal is solely to ensure Cali has the best chance to live a healthy and pain free life. They are aware this journey will continue to test them physically, mentally and emotionally but the tremendous financial hardship they are faced with as of 3/28/17 seems impossible to overcome at this point without some help from others. Their out of pocket insurance responsibility alone is $12,000, not including medical supplies. Mom will be out of work for 3mo. to care for Cali in the Spica cast. Dad plans to get back to work asap to keep current on critical expenses but expects to be out of work for at least the first 2-4wks(Cali weighs 40lbs, the cast will add significant weight, moving her around will be very challenging for mom alone). If a donation of any size is within your means, their family would greatly appreciate your help.
“We thank you for your support. Please continue to keep our family, particularly our princess Cali, in your thoughts and prayers.”
- Cali, Meaghann & Brian Tisbert
Mom and dad shared concerns that one of Cali’s legs was shorter than the other when she was an infant and they were told everything was normal, “it is normal for two feet and/ or legs to be a slightly different length,” doctors said. When Cali started walking, mom and dad could see her push onto her toes on the left side, they felt this was because one of her legs was shorter than the other, again their pediatrician said everything seemed normal. At 3yrs old, she was walking on her toes on one side, not sometimes, all the time. They were worried it would lead to back problems or other joint pain/ injuries in the future. Since their concerns had not been validated by doctors, they turned to a Chiropractor for help. The Chiropractor said her back was fine but her hip seemed “slightly out.” After a “small adjustment,” the Chiropractor said, “Cali should be good to go but would like to see her again in 3-4 months.” When the Tisberts left the Chiropractor, Cali was still walking on her toes on the left side so they knew nothing had been corrected. That is when they contacted a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon to get an expert opinion from someone that specialized in lower limbs and children. They were expecting the doctor to confirm their theory that one leg was shorter than the other. They expected to hear something like, “Cali will need to wear a corrective shoe for the rest of her life.”
This is when the nightmare began and the reality of what was ahead was first explained by a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. Although no one can tell exactly when the dislocation occurred, especially with such a late diagnosis, it clearly seemed that Cali’s hip has been completely dislocated her whole life. Mom and dad did not even know hip dysplasia and hip dislocation existed nor that all pediatricians were expected to examine children for this after birth and at each regular follow up check up(especially when a child was born after their due date, born a large baby and/ or born breached). Cali was born 9.1lbs, she was delivered 16 days past her due date and she was face up when delivered(in fact her forehead was cut during the C-section because the doctor was unaware she was face up). Since lack of space in the womb is one of the main causes of DDH, and mom/ dad were sharing concerns about a difference in her leg length, it seems inconceivable that a simple hip X-ray was not ordered.
Mom and dad began contacting other Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons for second, third, fourth and fifth opinions, to help them consider all options. But all the professionals, scientific evidence and all of the research pointed to the same treatment plan: Cali, needs a major hip surgery to correct the dislocation and it needs to happen asap. Surgery plan(open reduction w/ pelvic & femoral osteotomies): Reshape the socket as needed, move the femur into the socket, strengthen the ligaments around the joint, shorten the femur, cut into the pelvis and add a piece of the femur to help better the roof(help prevent dislocating again), followed up with a Spica cast which begins below the chest and goes down both legs(Cali will be immobile for 3mo needing to be cared for 24/7). A major surgery with the biggest concern being damaging the blood supply to the femur causing avascular necrosis(head of the femur dies due to lack of blood).
The thought of putting Cali through this major hip surgery is heartbreaking to say the least. There must be other options, right? Not really. In fact, the Tisberts were informed that if they did not see Cali until she was 5 or 6yrs old(Cali just turned 4yrs), no credible and experienced team of surgeons would agree to do the surgery because success of the surgery is based on children before the age of 4yrs(since pediatricians are supposed to look for this, children are usually diagnosed and treated between 6mo - 2yrs). If left untreated, Cali would be guaranteed a life of disability, hip pain and/ or knee back problems, early onset arthritis, etc., even if she was lucky enough to make it into her 30’s before a full hip replacement. They said no surgeon would agree to put an artificial hip in someone less than 20yrs of age so the only option for her would be pain management until she was at an age hip replacement was acceptable(artificial hips have only been shown to last around 15yrs and second and third hip replacements haven’t proven great results). Doctors also explained to the Tisberts that installing an artificial hip in someone that has lived with a dislocated hip for their entire life is an extremely difficult task.
In summary, the Tisberts are a strong family and their ultimate goal is solely to ensure Cali has the best chance to live a healthy and pain free life. They are aware this journey will continue to test them physically, mentally and emotionally but the tremendous financial hardship they are faced with as of 3/28/17 seems impossible to overcome at this point without some help from others. Their out of pocket insurance responsibility alone is $12,000, not including medical supplies. Mom will be out of work for 3mo. to care for Cali in the Spica cast. Dad plans to get back to work asap to keep current on critical expenses but expects to be out of work for at least the first 2-4wks(Cali weighs 40lbs, the cast will add significant weight, moving her around will be very challenging for mom alone). If a donation of any size is within your means, their family would greatly appreciate your help.
“We thank you for your support. Please continue to keep our family, particularly our princess Cali, in your thoughts and prayers.”
- Cali, Meaghann & Brian Tisbert
Organizer
brian tisbert
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
