Madi's Milestones with PFFD: Praying for Bone Growth

Well, we made it through another surgery! On August 30th, we had our pre-op visit at Dr. Paleys office. Madi ran right to Servando ( one of Dr. Paleys amazing PA's) and gave him a big hug. It was so nice to see her not scared of the office and the doctors. We had new xrays done and Servando explained to us that one of three things would happen in surgery. One, that they would remove all the hardware and inject the bone growth material in the hip area. Two, that they would remove the hardware, and put it back in a better position and inject bone growth material. Three, that they would remove the hardware, cut off the bottom portion that attached to her femur and put back in the upper part that would be in her hip and inject bone growth material. All of these options required a much shorter surgery and incision. I was feeling pretty good, although I have learned to always expect the unexpected. The next morning on August 31st we loaded up bright and early to arrive at the hospital at 6:00am. They got us all situated in pre-surgery and Madi settled in with the dvd player and her doll. She was in such bright spirits that is made it a little easier on me. When it was finally time to go back they gave her the "goofy juice" and I dressed up in my white suite and hat to walk her back to the surgery room. She insisted that I carry her which was of course, just fine with me. I laid her down on the surgery table and they started giving her the gas to put her to sleep. She drifted right off, not a fuss. Everyone kept telling me that she would be just fine, that they would take care of her and I thought I was going to lose it. Which is so silly because this is not the first time I have done this. As soon as I left the surgery room, I started to cry. I hated having to put her through another surgery so soon.
We (my dad and I ) proceeded to the waiting room to begin our wait. I know they said it would be a shorter surgery, but since her first surgery was so long I anticipated a moderate wait. I got an update about 45 min into the surgery that all was going well and then was astonished when Dr. Paley came out after only an hour and a half and said he was all done and that things went great. He said that there was more bone growth in her hip than what he could see on the xrays, which was great. He also told me that he opted to remove the hardware and just replace the top portion in her hip, which could remain throughout her lengthenings to protect her hip. I was relieved. It wasn't too long until we were able to go back to see her in post op. She was woozy, but gave me a smile right away and kept drinking from her little bottle they gave her (since they don't have sippy cups). They took her up to her room pretty quick and we settled in for the night. She had one drainage tube inserted which she hated. As long as she couldn't see it she was fine, so I had to keep it covered with a blanket. She did great. The next morning they pulled the tube and said she could be discharged. She could start weight-bearing on her leg whenever she was ready. It only took her a few days before she started attempting to walk again. By the time we came in for her post op visit she was doing really well. Servando removed the bandage and said we were good to go. Her incision looked really good and was along the same line as the first one. We flew home a week after surgery and she has been doing great since. Right now we wait and see how her bone grows. She has to have a stable hip for us to continue with lengthening. So please send prayers that her bones grow well. We won't do lengthenings until she is at least 4 years old so hopefully no more surgeries for the next year.
Madi turned three on September 18th. She has been through so much for such a little girl, but she is so strong and so determined that I know she will make it through all of this with flying colors. I am so proud of her.
Here are some pictures from our trip and from home. Thank you for all of your support and prayers!