Have you ever heard of this?????

We're a small town - back in 2019, we had almost 2100 people. Some have come, some have gone, but we're probably still about that many.

We're the type of little Southern town where everyone knows everyone and knows what's happening with them (whether it really IS happening, or not!) It's the type of town where neighbors are neighbors and friends are friends and everyone knows everyone (almost). Even if they don't "know you" .... they "know you" on Facebook!!

Blakeney is a familiar family name, in our town. Recently, one of our little Blakeney guys was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. It was a disease of which I had never heard. It was actually discovered, in 1897, by an Austrian doctor but wasn't given the name Legg-Calve-Perthes until around 1910 by the 3 doctors who recognized it, published it as a disease unrelated to tuberculosis, and prescribed a treatment. 

LCP is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the femoral artery. Symptoms are noticeable limping of the affected leg, and pain in the groin, thigh, and leg which increases, with time. It mainly affects boys ages 4 - 10, however, girls can also be affected but are much worse than boys. It usually affects just one hip, but can also affect both.

Landon Blakeney is 7 years old and is just the neatest, most active little boy. When he first began to limp, his mother thought he had just "played too rough and too hard."  However, when the limp increased and was accompanied by pain, her mother's heart knew that something wasn't right.

A pediatrician in the small town of nearby Ellisville immediately diagnosed it as Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease and the journey began.

After appointments in Jackson with UMMC and Ochsner's, in New Orleans, Landon underwent surgery this past week to have both his legs encased in full-length leg casts - connected by a rod for from 6 - 8 weeks. Once the casts are removed he will undergo more surgery because the MRI displayed that he has no blood flow to his right hip. And then, there will be therapy to help him learn to walk, again.

I call him our "littlest warrior" and am amazed by his strength and his spirit, and his smile. I can't imagine a more uncomfortable way to have to live - legs, in a cast, spread wide open ..... for weeks.

Please remember Landon, in your prayers!!