From a surgery standpoint, none were conducted during this period of time. Spencer was a kid and grew stronger and more amazing every day. They told us he would never walk with his knees the way that they were... but no one told Spencer that. He managed to stand in a very bowlegged way and walk short distances. His preferred method of locomotion was still hopping and scooting.

However, in 2007, he started complaining of pain and pretty much gave up trying to stand. His body weight was just too much for his bendy legs. We started going back to Shriner's and discussing options for moving forward.

The options were not something we wanted to hear. After many visits and consultations with rooms full of doctors, the plan was put forward to amputate the left leg at the knee and straighten the right leg permanently with a titanium rod. The idea with the single amputation was that it is much easier to walk on one prosthetic leg and get "feedback" from the ground with the remaining leg.

Amputation was an option I had avoided at all costs. It seemed like a cruel joke to me that a kid born with short arms would have to loose his legs also. He did a lot of things with his feet like reach things and dress himself. But the more I looked at it, it wasn't about how I felt, it was about what would be best for Spencer in the long run.

We started making plans for the surgery which was scheduled for the April 3rd, 2008, just before Spencer's seventh birthday.

Having a conversation with a six year old about why it was a good idea to amputate one of his legs was not something I was looking forward to. Spencer's "Aunt Sassie" (the amazing Tess Borden) suggested that we do something with a doll that he could understand.

We purchased a Ken doll and made a hospital gown for him. Spencer and I went to the garage and went through all the phases of the surgery starting with administering anesthesia. We cut the rubber skin with a box knife and then snipped the metal "bones" with a set of diagonal cutters. We bandaged up the doll's stump and then woke him up. I think this process really helped him understand what was going to happen.

We took an amazing pre-birthday trip to LegoLand for Spencer's birthday and had a blast right before his surgery. We prepared ourselves as best we could and took the next step on our journey...