Last week I took this picture of my sweet boy. I sent it out on Facebook asking for prayers as Dominic, Max, and I were on our way to the children’s hospital to meet an orthopedic surgeon to discuss Max’s double thumb.
I was pretty nervous, hospitals are for sick people and my baby is far from sick. He is happy, healthy, and thriving and yet we’re choosing to explore all our options with his unique thumb. I’m torn when it comes to considering surgery. I don’t know what to do and I definitely don’t want to regret a decision that can’t be changed. Hence, our trip to children’s. I wanted to talk with the expert about our options.
First off, I was super impressed with everything at the children’s hospital. From the receptionist who scheduled our appointment and left me a detailed message about where to park and how to find the office to our actual doctor. Everyone was kind, organized, and very thorough. Having all the logistics go smoothly definitely calmed my heart.
Upon arrival, we checked in and waiting in the cheery orthopedic wing. We saw a number of older children with broken limbs (sports injuries?) and one other baby. Our nurse got us checked in and took my word on Max’s weight and length. I always appreciate when we can skip the cry-inducing undressing can be skipped. Then, Dr. Silas arrived. She was wonderful … knowledgeable and patient with an air of motherhood. I teared up a little after choking out the word “surgery” and she promptly handed me a tissue and spoke her understanding of how hard it is to hand over your baby for any procedure, no matter how big or small.
Dr. Silas assessed Max’s thumb and we talked about how it is built – two bones (we know this not only from feeling, but also because he has a nail on both thumbs and you can’t have a bone without nail) fused at the joint (the x-ray showed cartilage which will later turn into bone) connected by skin (and muscle/ligaments) at the knuckle. She also noticed that his right hand is a little stronger than his left (I don’t know how you can tell this in a 2 month old, but she saw a difference). Because of this, we won’t be surprised if he is right handed. The main thumb on his left hand is a little smaller than his single right thumb (maybe because there are two thumbs and taking that into account his left thumb is actually bigger?) and Dr. Silas expects that if his second thumb is removed that the remaining left thumb will always be a little smaller than the right.
After the assessment we launched into our questions …
- How does this happen? We had a long discussion about this that ended with … no one really knows. It all happens very early in cellular development. Nothing I did or didn’t do, although multiple digits is hereditary. As far as we know, there aren’t any relatives with this condition called polydactyly.
- What if we don’t do anything? What would function be like? This is a big unknown. As Max grows we’ll see how his two thumbs interact and function. It could become frustrating for him with grasping, crawling, etc. We won’t know until we get there. When he starts using his hands more his brain will start mapping the second thumb’s existence on his cortex. Depending on when/if it is removed this mapping might be disturbed some and in effect, he’ll have to relearn how to do things with a new-to-his-brain thumb. On the emotional side, we’re considering how others will treat him and how he’ll feel about it. Plus, where do you find gloves for double thumbs? :)
- At what age is surgery recommended? Because of the whole brain mapping thing this particular surgery is usually done between 6-18 months. 6 months is when the risk if anesthesia goes down and according to other observations little ones are able to gain the best function if they have their new thumb by 18 months. Also, the cartilage isn’t fully set into bone at this time so they can use a knife during the surgery instead of a saw.
- What does the surgery entail? Surgery is an out patient procedure lasting about an hour. From start to finish we would be at the hospital for 5-6 hours. During surgery, Dr. Silas would make an incision to remove the second thumb. She would tuck in any extra ligaments and sew it up with dissolving stitches. There is alot more to it than that, but those are the basics.
- What is recovery like? Max’s hand would be casted to protect his wound for about a month. Dr. Silas said recovery pain is minimal, lasting a day or two and managed with Tylenol.
For our initial discussion I was pleased with everything we learned. I’m happy we don’t have to make a decision right away. When/if we decide to move forward we’ll be able to get on Dr. Silas’ schedule within a week so there isn’t a long wait.
At this point we are going to keep a close eye on Max’s hand development and function. If his double thumb begins to cause him grief I’ll feel more comfortable moving forward with the surgery. If not, I’m leaning towards waiting until he is a little older so we can talk about his preference. One side of me really wants to get it done and taken care of when he can’t remember the procedure and recovery. It will be harder on me, but much easier on him. On the other hand, I want to respect that he may not mind his unique thumb … maybe even like it. I’m ok making the decision for him if it comes down to functionality, I definitely don’t want his double thumb to hold him back. If it’s a cosmetic decision, I’d rather get his input. Either way, at this point we are waiting and will most likely reassess at 6, 12, and 18 months. We’ll know more at those stages in regard to function.
Other than it being an emotional day for me, we had a nice time as a little family of three (Jemma stayed with her Mimi so we could focus 100% on Max). Here’s an iPhone view of our day …
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Dr. Silas is Parker's doctor too! We love her!
I'm SO embarrassed to even say this, but the baby girl born on " here comes honey boo boo" also has two thumbs! Ahhhh I swear I was forced to watch it:)Heather
My son broke his leg in 2011 and he went to that office and Dr "R". We had a wonderful experience and I am sure that they will take care of your little guy with the same caring hands and words!
I love that precious xray! I guess I never realized just had far apart babies bones are. It looks like he can hold his head up really well too. Praying for God's will to come to you and Dominic.
Here via momcomm’s critique. About the double thumb: do you know Hrithik Roshan’s, India’s Bollywood superstar? He has a two thumbs and seems to be doing just fine with them. Has certainly not stopped him from having a mega-successful career, being an amazingly dynamic dancer and one sexy man to boot. (Speaking as a mother of two sons, I know how important all of these are….) ;-)
Pic here: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAueHOeAvgI/T3gspOZeQaI/AAAAAAAAEW0/FODp1sRI_Jc/s1600/Hrithik+Roshan+Thumb.jpg
Clip of dance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW7l53eLS_8
Enjoy. :-)
That baby x-ray is adorable! What a tough decision to have to make, and I’m not sure what we would choose if we were in your situation. My grandmother was born with a second thumb, which was removed pretty quickly after her birth. Whichever way you go, I commend how much thought you are putting into this.
-Mariah
braggaboutbaby.wordpress.com
Thanks so much :) It's definitely a hard decision, we're just taking it one step at a time.
I've been wondering about adults with double thumbs and hadn't yet run across any. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
Thanks so much for your prayers :)
They are a fabulous office! Glad to hear you had a good experience there :)
You're welcome. Hrithik Roshan once in an interview called his extra thumb his 'lucky charm'. :-) It's a blessing for your little son to have this luck.
I love that you are considering letting your son choose when he is older if it doesn't affect him. My husband was born with several differences, one being he only has two fingers on each hand (they were actually fused at birth and had to be surgically separated). I honestly don't think he would change it even if he could. He functions better than most adults i know and "can't" is not in his vocabulary. He has been treated different by people throughout his life but he really could care less what others think (although he loves when children ask about it in their innocent wonder). I think my son and i are more bothered and defensive than he ever was with rude people. It has really helped (in my opinion) shaped him into the person he is today. And please don't misunderstand me, he has difficulties too, sometimes he will get so frustrated when he is having difficulty with a task (i have learned to not ask him to install anymore mini blinds!) and i know as a child he did have some difficulties with other children (but not as much as you might imagine). I just wanted to give you the "other" side view on things and how "differences" (whether large or small) can affect them and help shape their personality. What you face is a very difficult decision and honestly i don't think either way is right or wrong, you as his mother will make the right choice.