Orthopedics

After needing to reschedule our appointment four times (only one by us) the day had finally arrived, a year had passed, more accurately 14 months and it was time to be seen in the orthopedics clinic for X-rays.  Last year at this appointment we got good news but also a giant punch in the gut when we talked about how harsh chemotherapy and transplant had been on Georgia's body, more specifically, her bones.  

I told Georgia that she had an appointment and explained that she would be getting X-rays, she seemed fairly unphased.  Her attitude did little to sway mine, although I know Georgia is growing and thriving, her leg is where this all began and that is always unnerving.  Throughout the day I tried to tend to small details around the house.. in case we didn't come home.  All day I was having an internal battle, knowing she is fine and knowing how you can be hit by a mack truck in an instant.

On the drive over Georgia became quiet and said she didn't want to go, she was scared to get the X-rays done.  We've been doing this for long enough that I've learned how to help, I try and give her some power in these scary situations.  We decided "ballerina bunny" would come with us and have an X-ray first, this way Georgia would be able to see that there was nothing to be afraid of.  Ballerina bunny did great and Georgia was nervous but okay to lay on the table, there I was kneeling on the ground, holding her hand, looking into her eyes and a wave of panic hit me, what if we aren't okay?

The X-ray tech said she was by far his best patient all day, she was rewarded with lots of stickers which brought on lots of smiles.

After X-ray we found Brian and Leo and headed to our clinic room to wait.  We knew we weren't seeing our regular orthopedic doc but I wasn't sure who we would meet with.  Moments later a doctor walked in and I immediately remembered her, she looked at Georgia and said, "I am so happy to see you!"  This doctor had participated in Georgia's very first biopsy and she'd accompanied our regular doc on many occasions.

The doctor opened up her file and pulled out one of the eight X-rays Georgia had taken, she handed it to her and said, "everything looks great."  She went on to say that if you didn't know Georgia's history you'd never know anything had been wrong.. I immediately felt lighter.  X-rays also showed that the bone cyst in Georgia's heel has improved slightly and is nothing to be worried about.  We reviewed a few old MRI's for comparison and then she said, "we don't need to see you anymore."  The magnitude of this statement is unreal.  There was a time when amputation was mentioned, we did battle over if she would receive radiation that would damage her growth plate and certainly shorten her leg, we had sedation for MRI's every three months for over a year.. and now they don't need to see us anymore.  Incredible.

I am so profoundly grateful for our orthopedics team, they'd never seen the type of tumor and bone destruction in someone so young, yet they stuck with us and stood up for what they believed was best for Georgia, which at times was not an agreeable topic.  They are most certainly a huge part of why she is where she is today.

Next week we have an oncology appointment but for now we live in the moment and feel the happiness that we've earned, she is healthy, she is whole.