Don't throw the Kleenex away yet folks!

[Danielle]

Christine,

Just a quick comment on the potential club foot (and do not be the least but upset about your reaction cause most of us would feel the same way) -- my husband had a club foot when he was born, and he had it casted for several months when he was a newborn. He grew up to be a football player and state champ wrestler, so needless to say, this can be fixed and your little No Name will be FINE.

Also, more recently two years ago, my good friend had twins and the little boy had TWO club feet. Nine months of casts on his little ankles was difficult (more so on her than on him, though, I promise!) but now he's FINE - walking great, no complications whatsoever.

You'll be amazed at just how resilient your child will be to all this medical stuff, truly. Try not to worry. (HA! said the worst worrier ever.)

[updowns]

Christine, you have as many pity parts as you want, k? It's allowed!

On the club foot, my lil bro (soon to be 40) had a club foot when he was born - didn't need surgery, just physio every day and he now RUNS MARATHONS!

Stella

[Kristen]

Oh poor dear - the most paralyzing moment of my life up till I go the DS news was when they were rolling me into the c-section (Carter was an emergency out - NO fluid, total distress, turns out I 99% sure had preeclampsia...I had bigger worries, ya know?) and I started crying hysterically because what if he had a big birthmark or something on his face the ultrasound and tests couldn't detect? I HAVE BEEN THERE!!! Sometimes it's the smallest things that freak us the most because we can't comprehend the big stuff yet. I had no idea Carter even has DS at this point - literally a one in tens of thousands shot, I was told later - but they were in actuality worried that he would suffocate within minutes of birth if his lungs had dried out and he couldn't open them to breathe becasue of having no fluid. It's a surface tension thing in areolar capillary gas exchange. Anyway, don't feel silly! It's one more thing to worry about and you don't need that right now. You're so freakign healthy about all this anyway, you deserve a fit ow and then. If I had known before I think the unknown would have done me in and I would have spent that time in a snivling ball of snot on the floor. I shoudl send you a pic of my man. You would have no worries - you never know, dear. He pulled it over on a new ped in the practice we go to. He had no idea why I was asking about CBS and cervical spine x-ray results. He was like, why, is this a follow up to an injury? I was like, no, he has downs. Oh yeah!!! RIGHT!!! Downs! Uh huh. Sure you figured it out on your own Not like looks matter, but let's be serious, we all want our kids to be given a fair shake, not immediately labeled and put in a box.