Madison’s Fancy New Hip
Donation protected
I am lucky enough to have a best friend in my sister, Kylie, and love her and her family more than words can express. My niece Madison is a precious little girl with so much personality and lights up everyone in her presence. Recently, Madison and her mommy (Kylie) and daddy (Trevor) were given quite a shock. Here is their story:
A message from Kylie -
“Maddie is an incredibly sweet, spunky, curious and tenacious little toddler. Shes been a busy mover and groover since she could go!
She's NEVER had any indication or sign that she’s been in pain, because she hasn’t been! BUT when she started walking at 14 months we thought it was cute that she was on her tip toes. Just her left foot. We started seeing a chiropractor weekly to help right away since I knew this could be a bad habit to get into. Speed up 3 months. We brought up our observations with our family doctor who referred us to a specialist because it looked like a leg length discrepancy and “just to rule anything out”. Only took a month wait (was told it could be longer) and she’s now been seen at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Only an hour with the Paediatric Orthopedist. It didn't take long. X-rays done and examined on site. She’s a trooper and layed there still completely surprising mama and daddy! Then we were blindsided with a diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). We didn't even know what this was. It turns out that Madison's left hip is dislocated and her socket joint to hold her leg in place is too shallow to keep it steady if it were to be reset. This wasn’t due to an injury, it just never developed.Given her age and the shallow nature of her hip our only option is surgery.
Neither Trevor nor I were expecting this diagnosis or an outcome of surgery. We thought she may need orthotics. I kept waiting for the doctor to tell us that she was kidding but she didn't. By the next week we were at a another appointment and a month later, facing surgery in September.
They will have to do an open reduction which is the most invasive type of surgery on the hip and will need to do a bone graft to deepen the socket. Her leg will be put back in place and will have an MRI to make sure all is as it should be. She will be fitted with a spica cast which is a lower body cast from her chest to her toes for at least 6-8 weeks, potentially longer. She will be inpatient for 4-5 days and then come home where we have to learn a whole new way of functioning together. Diapering, bathing, feeding, sleeping. This will completely limit her daily activities and will require lots and lots of love and patience as we spend our days working on puzzles and small art projects. As well as the physical aspect, she will be struggling with not being able to move around on her own for awhile. This will be such a hard process for us and we will have a lot of new expenses (even diaper changes will require up to 3 diapers per change). We pray she has the minimum done and she heals quickly, but we will not know until the doctor gets in there and takes a look. Once she is adequately healed and they feel that she is ready to come out of the cast, she will be fitted with a brace and begin physiotherapy. She will have to learn many of the things she's already learned to do including sitting unassisted, crawling, walking.
We will need a specialized car seat that will fit her spica cast but we were told with the shape of her cast she most likely won’t fit but need to attempt before being discharged. We will then require patient transfers to and from the hospital which is quite expensive for all appointments and follow ups (3 hours travel each way). Plus many items for our home. Items like gear, clothing, bathing and diapers etc which isn’t covered through our insurance.
We do not know if this surgery is a one and done situation or if we have more to go. Only time will tell.
We greatly appreciate all of the love and support that we've received so far and hope you all know how much we appreciate and love you. We will update everyone as we go. Let the adventure begin.
Love Kylie, Trevor and our brave little Madison!”
We have had many family and friends ask us how they can help. Your prayers and positive thoughts are VERY much appreciated. If you would like to help further, this Go Fund Me account will help with the cost of these expenses, travel and time off of work that will accumulate.
Thank you in advance for any help for my sister, her husband and especially Madison:)
Melanie Whittaker
A message from Kylie -
“Maddie is an incredibly sweet, spunky, curious and tenacious little toddler. Shes been a busy mover and groover since she could go!
She's NEVER had any indication or sign that she’s been in pain, because she hasn’t been! BUT when she started walking at 14 months we thought it was cute that she was on her tip toes. Just her left foot. We started seeing a chiropractor weekly to help right away since I knew this could be a bad habit to get into. Speed up 3 months. We brought up our observations with our family doctor who referred us to a specialist because it looked like a leg length discrepancy and “just to rule anything out”. Only took a month wait (was told it could be longer) and she’s now been seen at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Only an hour with the Paediatric Orthopedist. It didn't take long. X-rays done and examined on site. She’s a trooper and layed there still completely surprising mama and daddy! Then we were blindsided with a diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). We didn't even know what this was. It turns out that Madison's left hip is dislocated and her socket joint to hold her leg in place is too shallow to keep it steady if it were to be reset. This wasn’t due to an injury, it just never developed.Given her age and the shallow nature of her hip our only option is surgery.
Neither Trevor nor I were expecting this diagnosis or an outcome of surgery. We thought she may need orthotics. I kept waiting for the doctor to tell us that she was kidding but she didn't. By the next week we were at a another appointment and a month later, facing surgery in September.
They will have to do an open reduction which is the most invasive type of surgery on the hip and will need to do a bone graft to deepen the socket. Her leg will be put back in place and will have an MRI to make sure all is as it should be. She will be fitted with a spica cast which is a lower body cast from her chest to her toes for at least 6-8 weeks, potentially longer. She will be inpatient for 4-5 days and then come home where we have to learn a whole new way of functioning together. Diapering, bathing, feeding, sleeping. This will completely limit her daily activities and will require lots and lots of love and patience as we spend our days working on puzzles and small art projects. As well as the physical aspect, she will be struggling with not being able to move around on her own for awhile. This will be such a hard process for us and we will have a lot of new expenses (even diaper changes will require up to 3 diapers per change). We pray she has the minimum done and she heals quickly, but we will not know until the doctor gets in there and takes a look. Once she is adequately healed and they feel that she is ready to come out of the cast, she will be fitted with a brace and begin physiotherapy. She will have to learn many of the things she's already learned to do including sitting unassisted, crawling, walking.
We will need a specialized car seat that will fit her spica cast but we were told with the shape of her cast she most likely won’t fit but need to attempt before being discharged. We will then require patient transfers to and from the hospital which is quite expensive for all appointments and follow ups (3 hours travel each way). Plus many items for our home. Items like gear, clothing, bathing and diapers etc which isn’t covered through our insurance.
We do not know if this surgery is a one and done situation or if we have more to go. Only time will tell.
We greatly appreciate all of the love and support that we've received so far and hope you all know how much we appreciate and love you. We will update everyone as we go. Let the adventure begin.
Love Kylie, Trevor and our brave little Madison!”
We have had many family and friends ask us how they can help. Your prayers and positive thoughts are VERY much appreciated. If you would like to help further, this Go Fund Me account will help with the cost of these expenses, travel and time off of work that will accumulate.
Thank you in advance for any help for my sister, her husband and especially Madison:)
Melanie Whittaker
Organizer and beneficiary
Melanie Whittaker
Organizer
Brampton, ON
Kylie Mielke
Beneficiary