One of the most common physical markers of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is polydactyly — being born with extra digits. Lucy came into the world with eleven toes, which is actually part of the reason this blog is called 71 Toes. This post is the story of how that extra toe surgery removal went.
Lucy’s Extra Toe — and Why It Was Time to Remove It
As of recently, Lucy has officially joined the rest of the world in the ten-toe club. That eleventh toe was one of our earliest indicators of her Bardet-Biedl Syndrome diagnosis. And I have to say, we were actually kinda sad to see it go. We’ve grown a bit attached to that little thing. Here are the last pictures we got of it:
But it was time.
That little baby toe had started turning all crooked and backwards when she sits and stands (while holding onto furniture), and she’s at such a good age to not have it phase her too much.
What an amazing baby — she was SO good in the hospital and even now she’s kicking around her humungous bandaged foot with a big smile on her face like nothing ever happened.
Preparing for the Polydactyly Surgery
We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am, the surgery was at 7:30, and we were home by around 9:30. Dave’s sister Julie was staying with us and offered to watch our other kids so Dave and I could go together, which was such a gift.
I made tons of calls in the days leading up to it — making sure everything was set, that this doctor was really all he’s cracked up to be, finding out who the anesthesiologist would be, and confirming they’d try to make the left foot as symmetrical to the right as possible after removing the toe.
We were pretty nervous. It was so sad to watch the nurse carry our precious little baby away in a hospital gown and cap — though the cap was pretty hilarious and made me laugh enough to take away some of the trauma.
A Smooth Surgery and a Sweet Recovery
She did awesome and all is well. Here are some before and after pictures:
Julie had the kids clean the house from top to bottom while we were gone, and when we got home all eight kids (Julie’s included) ran out to the garage as soon as they heard us pull in and packed themselves in around that baby to take a peek at the new foot.
Too bad for them we had to leave the bandages on for 48 hours before seeing the finished product. They were SO excited about it all. Claire told everyone we talked to that “we just cut Lucy’s toe off” — complete strangers raised their eyebrows a little at that.
More from Our Special Needs Journey
Lucy’s extra toe was just one small chapter in a much bigger story. If you’re navigating something similar, here are more posts from our journey:
well done shaser. man you have really got the blogging down. i think you should just put big pictures in there so when we click on them they will just come up huge on the screen. it was so great to see the toe before it went the way of all ectra toes. you guys are living the dream.
wow, best photographer, best writer, and best subjects, no wonder the blog is extraordinary!
love DAD
Shawni-
Could you be more perfect. Everything you do is amazing. I wish I had a fraction of your talents. You blow me away. It was fun to see you last week amongst the chaos. I always wish for more time together, but it gets hard. There is also so much family to go around. Thanks for having us at your poot and crash the party. It was also fun to see David this trip. Hope he is doing better. Sure love you. Take care Heather
Hi, I just stumbled onto your blog. I have 8 children. Our last baby is a girl, she's 2. She was going to be named Lucy until the drive to the hospital when we changed the name to "Ellen Lucille". Our ellie was born with 12 toes, on Oct 27, 2009. Im coming back to read more, I unfortunately have to write a paper so I dont have time to read now. We think Ellen has tethered cord, but arent sure. Im so sorry about your Lucy's diagnosis. Ill be in touch with pictures too. Melissa Dayton
I read about you on Vintage Revivals "Blog Crush" post & had to come & see you. I enjoyed my visit. {Of course I had to read how your blog got it's name – so clever!}
Warmly, Michelle
I just found your blog, how sweet is that baby girl of yours! I have three girls and a grand baby girl on the way.(makes me feel old at 44)
I love the blog! Your photography is wonderful.
I am new to blogging and pray mine looks as good as yours one day 🙂