The doctor's office had a rectangular shape with three pale-yellow painted walls and a vibrant-burgundy one. By the door, to the left, was a computer sitting on a shelf, and next to it a counter with a tiny sink. The examination bed was against the corner, opposite to the door. There was only one painting, a colorful one, which had the big task of uplifting the visitors’ spirit while waiting for the doctor; in this case the visitors were Natacha, Valeria and I visiting Shriners Hospital for Children the first time in the cold month of March. The abstract painting, which resembled a puzzle with each piece of different color, was falling short in its purpose, but fortunately that changed when Dr. Dan A. Zlotolow, MD came in to the office.
Dr. Zlotolow a hand surgeon of about 50 years old, with salt and pepper curly hair brought the energy the room was missing. His assistant, a tall man in his early thirties, joined him.
Dr. Zlotolow was eager to teach us as much as possible about Valeria’s case, for example he mentioned that in cases when a baby is born without thumbs, or mirror hands, he also has mirror forearms. That means that instead of having one radius and one ulna bone, he has the same bone duplicated. The elbow is not designed for that, so the baby has problems rotating the forearm. We turned to see Valeria, and she was throwing away big Lego pieces like a pitcher, so clearly her forearm bones were fine.
Then Dr. Alburger—the foot surgeon—entered the room; I felt honored to be in front of those two brilliant doctors, and seeing them discussing logistics like when the surgery could take place. Dr. Zlotolow said he could operate when Valeria turns a year and a half old. Dr. Alburger said he could operate right away.
"Are you saying you're so important you don't want to operate with me?" asked Dr. Zlotolow to Dr. Alburger who seemed not to enjoy the joke.
"That's what he meant right?" said Dr. Zlotolow talking to me.
"Yeah, that he meant." I responded, smiling.
Dr. Alburger left the room without smiling though, and I was just hoping I didn’t offend the man who was going to open the flesh of my precious daughter.
Dr. Zlotolow explained that waiting for the surgery was necessary because babies lack firm muscles in their hands when they’re less than 18 months old; their muscles are like spider webs, not strong enough for the stitches.
“Be patient,” said Dr. Zlotolow, "to operate her hands, I need you to give me a hand."
We smiled at this play of words; though Dr. Zlotolow s assistant didn't. I guessed he had heard the joke way too many times.
Dr. Alburger did his part in May with great results on Valeria’s feet—he was even smiley and supportive in the following visits. The postoperative period was extremely difficult though. In January is Dr. Zlotolow s turn to do his part; I know the postoperative period won’t be easy since Valeria uses her hands a lot, but having gone through the previous experience, we’re ready to stand up to anything.
Valeria taking Greta for a ride
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