Update on Chelsea

March 16, 2004

Hi All,

We had an appt with Dr. Ponseti yesterday. We had sent Dr. Ponseti a

picture of her standing, and he replied and said she was having a

mild relapse and she would need one or more two casts. After he

examined her yesterday, he thought she actually needed another

tenotomy in both feet.

I was very surprised to hear that. I thought she was doing so well!

When she was recasted in the fall, (her second relapse) Dr. Ponseti

considered doing a double tenotomy - but when he took her last cast

off - he changed his mind. She had a first tenotomy at 5 weeks of

age after 5 casts. It's been about 1 year since her last tenotomy.

Dr. Morcuende performed the tenotomy and said it went very well. He

said that her heel cords were very tight when he cut them, and after

he cut them he could tell that it was the right thing to do. She

will wear these casts for three weeks. So far she has adjusted

really well to being in casts again - she hasn't worn casts since the

beginning of September. And I thought she would be really frustrated

to have her movement restricted, but so far she is as happy as

always. It's amazing! Hopefully this will be the end of her

relapses and she will make good progress from now on.

I'm so glad that the Dr. Ponseti and the wonderful staff at U of Iowa

are there for us!

Meredith

Mom to Chelsea (1/29/03)

Bilateral CF

March 16, 2004

Meredith,

I hope that Chelsea has a speedy recovery from her tenotomies! And yes, you are

very fortunate that you have the 'best of the best'

on your side!

Cheers,

Daiga and Owen, 02/04/03

Unilateral LCF, DBB 14/24

March 16, 2004

Hi Meredith,

I was wondering, have you had any appts with Dr Dietz? Our regular dr

is Fred Pilcher in Cedar Rapids (where we live). He had us see Dr Dietz

for a 2nd opinion on Jake's foot, as it is relapsing. Dr Dietz has

recommended ATTT surgery, and we have scheduled it for April 27. Anyhow

I was wondering if you've heard anything about him, as to if he's a good

surgeon etc. Everything I've heard has been good but I'd love more info

if you have it.

Thanks!

Kassia

mommy to 3/22/01 (Lt clubfoot)

and 11/22/02

PS--if you ever want to get together sometime, since we apparently live

pretty close together, please let me know! I'll email you my phone

number.

March 16, 2004

Kassia,

I have not personally met Dr. Dietz, but we did talk to him prior to our son

seeing someone here in Michigan. Also, friends of ours saw Dr. Dietz. They

loved him. Their son had the ATTT surgery done by Dr. Dietz. He is now 6 years

old and is doing just fine. I don't think you will need to worry about him, my

understanding is that Dr. Ponseti and Dr. Dietz (along with all the other docs

down there) work pretty close together.

Just thought I would give you my 2 cents and what information I know.

Carolyn and Bruce (bilateral 11-17-02)

Re: Update on Chelsea

Hi Meredith,

I was wondering, have you had any appts with Dr Dietz? Our regular dr

is Fred Pilcher in Cedar Rapids (where we live). He had us see Dr Dietz

for a 2nd opinion on Jake's foot, as it is relapsing. Dr Dietz has

recommended ATTT surgery, and we have scheduled it for April 27. Anyhow

I was wondering if you've heard anything about him, as to if he's a good

surgeon etc. Everything I've heard has been good but I'd love more info

if you have it.

Thanks!

Kassia

mommy to 3/22/01 (Lt clubfoot)

and 11/22/02

PS--if you ever want to get together sometime, since we apparently live

pretty close together, please let me know! I'll email you my phone

number.

March 16, 2004

Glad the relapse was caught early - and that Chelsea is adjusting so

well to the casts.

Holly

Zachary 7/27

Unilateral Right Clubfoot

Treated by Dr. Ponseti

14 hrs/day DBB

> Hi All,

>

> We had an appt with Dr. Ponseti yesterday. We had sent Dr.

Ponseti a

> picture of her standing, and he replied and said she was having a

> mild relapse and she would need one or more two casts. After he

> examined her yesterday, he thought she actually needed another

> tenotomy in both feet.

>

> I was very surprised to hear that. I thought she was doing so

well!

> When she was recasted in the fall, (her second relapse) Dr.

Ponseti

> considered doing a double tenotomy - but when he took her last

cast

> off - he changed his mind. She had a first tenotomy at 5 weeks of

> age after 5 casts. It's been about 1 year since her last

tenotomy.

>

> Dr. Morcuende performed the tenotomy and said it went very well.

He

> said that her heel cords were very tight when he cut them, and

after

> he cut them he could tell that it was the right thing to do. She

> will wear these casts for three weeks. So far she has adjusted

> really well to being in casts again - she hasn't worn casts since

the

> beginning of September. And I thought she would be really

frustrated

> to have her movement restricted, but so far she is as happy as

> always. It's amazing! Hopefully this will be the end of her

> relapses and she will make good progress from now on.

>

> I'm so glad that the Dr. Ponseti and the wonderful staff at U of

Iowa

> are there for us!

>

> Meredith

> Mom to Chelsea (1/29/03)

> Bilateral CF

March 16, 2004

Meredith,

I am glad to hear that Chelsea has adapted well to having casts again. I know

you pain in that area ;-) I was so not bothered by Kai's clubfoot when he was

born, but now I sometimes find myself asking why my son is now in a third set of

casts that it seems he will never be out of .. But then I have better moments

and know that all these children are but the greatest gifts and all us parents

are the best because we are willing to do whatever it takes.

As for Chelsea being so little ... would you believe that my oldest daughter did

not reach 18 pounds until she was 2 years old! So I completely understand. It

was really a longshot. I offered to trace Kai's foot for , but he said that

would not be alot of help. I do think, however, that 's idea of a mold is

wonderful! Perhaps we will try that :-)

Angel & Kai