I was really saddened on Tuesday when I received a call from the orthopedist office. I was informed that the doctor, after looking at Bradley's progress notes did not want to see him and cancelled the appointment. The person on the phone said there was nothing he could do to help him and he did not feel comfortable even making any decisions on his ankle.

Later that night, I found a web page for the Clinical Center of Excellence-Pediatric Orthopaedics through SIU School of Medicine and learned that these pediatric orthopedist travel to places very close to our home. They are affilitated with SIU School of Medicine and The Division of Specialized Care for Children.

The next morning, I called to make an appointment and learned that the referring physician would have to send a referral before I could make an appointment. So I called Cincinnati and spoke to the doctor's nurse. She said they really wanted Bradley to come back to Cincinnati to see their orthopedist because they knew he would be on the same page and would be familiar with DMD.

Tom was very adament that we should be able to get his ankle evaluated locally. I called the nurse back and she is going to ask Dr. Rybalsky if she will be willing to refer Bradley to the pediatric Orthopedist that I had found. So I am waiting to hear back from Cincinnati by this coming Monday.

Yesterday, I decided since Division of Specialized Care for Children had worked with Bradley in the past that I would call and ask more questions. I found out that they are the ones who fly the doctors to these nearby areas from Springfield. She told me that part of it would be based on income and I found out we are over-income. But she said we could still see the orthopedists in Springfield. Springfield is about 2 1/2 hours away; not much more distant than St. Louis. Tom felt that we could still go to Springfield so I decided to stick with this. Hopefully things will work out.

This whole ankle issue and getting an "appropriate" orthopedic consult has been very stressful but I know in the end God will work all of this out in time. I just have to be patient.

Bradley is still having pain in the ankle and has been since the beginning of January. Tuesday night he said,  "Mom, I guess I'm just going to have to get used to it hurting all the time cause no one can do anything about it." I don't think an almost 15 year old boy should have to live with and get used to pain. It just doesn't seem right.

If things don't work out with this new route we are wanting to take, we are just hoping we can go to Cincinnati a little earlier than 6 months form the last visits. We are due back the first week in August. Maybe we could go around the end of May for example and then get back on the 6 month schedule.

It just seems too much to go for one appointment. It would be better to go when we can get several appointments done in one trip. So I can understand where Tom is coming from. At the same time, I understand how much better it would be to see an orthopedist who has experience with DMD also.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We appreciate that so much!