We are thankful for our legs

H went in for his next x-ray to see how far the Perthes has come and we received good news and not so good news but isn't that how life goes--we get the good and the bad. The good news is that the bone is still deep in the socket and the lateral alignment is still there. H still has movement and motion (albeit limited) in his right hip which is another plus. The bad news is that he is a stage C which means that a good prognosis has now been "thrown out the window." This means that less than 50% of the top part of the bone is there and it is quite evident on this past x-ray as the bone has now decreased drastically on the outside portion. This can lead to the bone starting to slip out of the hip socket and cause the lateral alignment to not be straight.

What does all this mean? H still can't jump, no running, minimize stairs and any other activity that impacts the top of the femur bone. We are still having more good days than bad days though and that is great. We found out that waking up sore is normal (it's like a person with arthritis and how mornings are usually more painful as the joints are stiff from sleeping) and to pay attention to how he walks later on in the day. We have another appointment in two months but were told to come sooner if we notice a drastic change in his walk. If at the next appointment there is shown a slip in the alignment the doctor says he will put leg casts/braces on him for about a month to see if that will help. The worst case scenario would be having to go in for surgery to cut the bone and then with a pin they would angle the head of the bone back into the hip socket so that when the bone starts to regrow it will grow rounded. H is happy and continues to be his little ball of energy though it is hard to keep him restricted at times (because what super hero doesn't jump from the stairs or the couch or the bed, or chase after their sisters). We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers on H's behalf. Last month in Primary I taught about Heavenly Father's plan for each of us and I was touched with the numerous items I read telling that God hasn't left us alone and that he knows us and has our best interests at heart. As we were reading in 1 Nephi 17:3 this verse stuck out to me:

And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

I know that I might not have been commanded directly but H was sent to us to raise and I know that this is part of God's plan for H and us so God will strengthen us and provide ways that we will be able to accomplish whatever comes. I know that H is watched over and that all will work out for the best.