Isaac and Andrew’s Clubfoot Treatment
Donation protected
We struggled to know where to start, so we decided to start at the very first sign of clubfeet for our baby boys.
I had gone in for a general ultrasound of these sweet twins and as usual was super excited to see them.
During that time they were diagnosed with clubfeet. I was 20 weeks pregnant. That resulted in being sent to Maternal Fetal Medicine because they could only find one kidney for baby Isaac as well.
I didn't think much of it being that a lot of people in my family have had issues with their feet. I felt at peace with it. I didn't google or do research as I felt it would be too much of an added stressor and I had enough of that with a twin pregnancy.
Most people including doctors, played it down, like it was no big deal. Really quit a routine fix these days.
Little did we know the journey that it would send us on.
The boys were born and they were perfect.
Both of Isaac's sweet feet were clubbed, and Andrew's right foot was clubbed. They were officially diagnosed with Congenital Talipes Equinovarus. They were precious even still.
On January 14th this year, we went in for their first Orthopedic visit, which resulted in their first sets of casts, using what is known as the Ponseti Method. 5 sets of plaster casts to correct the feet. Followed by braces to ensure no relapse.
As the weeks went by we saw so much improvement and were thrilled that their little feet looked "normal".
By week five we were so excited to be finished with the casting phase!
On March 4th this year they both got all their casts off. What was supposed to be an exciting day was a little tainted.
Our sweet Isaac had developed a large sore inside his holding casts that were worn for the last two weeks.
BIG OUCH!! My poor baby was rubbing so much and trying to straighten his legs and feet so much he got a blister inside of the cast. I wasn't too happy to see this!
None the less they were fitted for their braces and we went home hoping with some care that it would heal quickly.
I was meticulous in checking their feet for new sores and any rubbing or red spots, many times a day. But...it wasn't enough. Isaac developed another sore. This time a small pressure sore.
I worked with the doctor and nurses as much as I could and none of their ideas kept it from getting worse.
I felt helpless and confused that we weren't being helped to keep Isaac from being in pain.
I left the doctors office uneasy and concerned with the care we were receiving..
I finally reached out to a fellow clubfoot mom as well as the BEST possible clubfoot doctor in the world.
I was informed that Isaac had received improper casting, and that the fat pad on his heel was misplaced, and that they both needed to receive a small surgery that released the tightened Achilles heel cord in clubfeet.
Needless to say I was shocked and disheartened.
One thing led to another and we decided the only way that we can sleep at night, is knowing that we did our very best at making sure our sons got the best care possible and wouldn't have long lasting affects from poor or improper treatment.
Dr. Matthew Dobbs is known to treat clubfeet without error. There are so many variables with clubfeet and each case is different. If they aren’t treated carefully and correctly there are so many things that can go wrong and cause lifelong trauma and difficulties. You cannot find a doctor having a record like Dr. Dobbs anywhere else, let alone in the state of Michigan.
He is located in St. Louis MO at the Children's Hospital.
With prayer and discernment, we decided we needed to have our boys treated with only the best. We needed to at least try, to make it happen.
We will need to travel and stay in St. Louis for two and a half to three weeks. As well as return three weeks after their small surgery. They have discounted lodging for families like us. But the total cost for their treatment will possibly be $7,500 or more, and payments are due at each recasting, every four days. That does not include our lodging, food, or travel expenses.
We plan to drive because we will have lots of babies things we will have to tote along. So that will be an adventure with two three month old babies :)
Dr. Dobbs will be back in St. Louis the first week of April and we hope to make our way there at that point.
We are humbly asking for help. Insurance is out of the picture as the Hospital he works out of is not in contract with their insurance.
Our boys mean the world to us and all we want is to give them the best shot at living a healthy life, with the possibility of being able to completely forget this time in their lives. And to do that, we need to see Dr. Dobbs.
We appreciate any and all help we receive and will never be able to repay the kindness.
With love and prayers, we thank you!
I had gone in for a general ultrasound of these sweet twins and as usual was super excited to see them.
During that time they were diagnosed with clubfeet. I was 20 weeks pregnant. That resulted in being sent to Maternal Fetal Medicine because they could only find one kidney for baby Isaac as well.
I didn't think much of it being that a lot of people in my family have had issues with their feet. I felt at peace with it. I didn't google or do research as I felt it would be too much of an added stressor and I had enough of that with a twin pregnancy.
Most people including doctors, played it down, like it was no big deal. Really quit a routine fix these days.
Little did we know the journey that it would send us on.
The boys were born and they were perfect.
Both of Isaac's sweet feet were clubbed, and Andrew's right foot was clubbed. They were officially diagnosed with Congenital Talipes Equinovarus. They were precious even still.
On January 14th this year, we went in for their first Orthopedic visit, which resulted in their first sets of casts, using what is known as the Ponseti Method. 5 sets of plaster casts to correct the feet. Followed by braces to ensure no relapse.
As the weeks went by we saw so much improvement and were thrilled that their little feet looked "normal".
By week five we were so excited to be finished with the casting phase!
On March 4th this year they both got all their casts off. What was supposed to be an exciting day was a little tainted.
Our sweet Isaac had developed a large sore inside his holding casts that were worn for the last two weeks.
BIG OUCH!! My poor baby was rubbing so much and trying to straighten his legs and feet so much he got a blister inside of the cast. I wasn't too happy to see this! None the less they were fitted for their braces and we went home hoping with some care that it would heal quickly.
I was meticulous in checking their feet for new sores and any rubbing or red spots, many times a day. But...it wasn't enough. Isaac developed another sore. This time a small pressure sore. I worked with the doctor and nurses as much as I could and none of their ideas kept it from getting worse.
I felt helpless and confused that we weren't being helped to keep Isaac from being in pain.
I left the doctors office uneasy and concerned with the care we were receiving..
I finally reached out to a fellow clubfoot mom as well as the BEST possible clubfoot doctor in the world.
I was informed that Isaac had received improper casting, and that the fat pad on his heel was misplaced, and that they both needed to receive a small surgery that released the tightened Achilles heel cord in clubfeet.
Needless to say I was shocked and disheartened.
One thing led to another and we decided the only way that we can sleep at night, is knowing that we did our very best at making sure our sons got the best care possible and wouldn't have long lasting affects from poor or improper treatment.
Dr. Matthew Dobbs is known to treat clubfeet without error. There are so many variables with clubfeet and each case is different. If they aren’t treated carefully and correctly there are so many things that can go wrong and cause lifelong trauma and difficulties. You cannot find a doctor having a record like Dr. Dobbs anywhere else, let alone in the state of Michigan.
He is located in St. Louis MO at the Children's Hospital.
With prayer and discernment, we decided we needed to have our boys treated with only the best. We needed to at least try, to make it happen.
We will need to travel and stay in St. Louis for two and a half to three weeks. As well as return three weeks after their small surgery. They have discounted lodging for families like us. But the total cost for their treatment will possibly be $7,500 or more, and payments are due at each recasting, every four days. That does not include our lodging, food, or travel expenses.
We plan to drive because we will have lots of babies things we will have to tote along. So that will be an adventure with two three month old babies :)
Dr. Dobbs will be back in St. Louis the first week of April and we hope to make our way there at that point.
We are humbly asking for help. Insurance is out of the picture as the Hospital he works out of is not in contract with their insurance.
Our boys mean the world to us and all we want is to give them the best shot at living a healthy life, with the possibility of being able to completely forget this time in their lives. And to do that, we need to see Dr. Dobbs.
We appreciate any and all help we receive and will never be able to repay the kindness.
With love and prayers, we thank you!
Organizer
Amanda Brincat
Organizer
Sterling Heights, MI