Spinal Scare

Baby Butterbean is walking around here like crazy. He'll be running soon. It's crazy!

Not long after he started sitting up, I noticed something that I didn't like about his back. The lower part of his spine was sticking way out, curving outward, and he almost looked hunch-backed or something. I mentioned it to my doctor at his six month checkup, but the doctor didn't seem alarmed, saying that as long as he was sitting up fine and it didn't hinder his movement, it was nothing to be immediately alarmed about. We LOVE our pediatrician! Love him. And at the time, BB was going though some rough stuff with several bouts in a row of RSV, about which the doctor was alarmed.

Fast forward to BB's 12 month checkup, which he had just a couple of weeks ago. I again pointed out my discomfort with his spine situation, and the doctor spent a good bit of time examining BB's back. This time, he was concerned. So he ordered x-rays, and I got a call today that has gotten me unnerved. Even though the doctor said it is not an emergency, I'm the mommy! I have a right to be unnerved.

I still don't know exactly what is wrong, but to hear the words "malformation," "deformity," and "congenital" about a condition that involves my child made me want to cry. The doctor said something about certain bones not closing properly, a curving of the lumbar, and "spinal dysplasia," that is, if I caught everything! He may have said more . . . I don't know. Anyway, I had to get busy right away securing films of BB's xray as well as getting an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist.

BB is the one of my children who has ever had health problems. The asthma issues, bouts with RSV, even the eczema, have all been hard on me. I know that I am blessed, that there are parents who deal with so much more serious issues. Still, I am a worrier by nature, so it has all been kind of tough to take. I just want BB to be the happiest, healthiest baby around. And it's hard to be happy while being sicky. Still, I think he has weathered it all better than I have!

So we'll be meeting with the orthopedist on Aug. 12 and will know more then. I'll keep you all posted. Please keep my little Butterbean in your thoughts and prayers. He is so happy and cute and we are all so happy he's in our family. I just want him to be OK.