So, we had a total of 38 days with Brenna's arm in a cast, which comes out to 5.25 weeks. Approximately. The first few days were not fun as she (and we!) learned to deal with it, sleep with it, maneuver it, wear it, bathe with it, fit clothes over it. They were quite trying times...that first week. Then for the next few weeks it was ok. Bearable. Do-able. We were busy with Christmas and all those activities and trips. However, this last week or two has been the most trying I do believe. Maybe 'cause I knew the time was coming up close? Jan 6. The date was engraved in my brain. Maybe 'cause she was back to wearing 'normal' clothes, instead of cute Christmas clothes that matched and 'hid' her cast. Maybe because it was REALLY starting to itch her (you could tell...she even learned the word 'itchy'). Maybe because it was REALLY starting to stink. Or maybe just 'cause we were just plain tired of it. Regardless, the last week or so really dragged on...or seemed to.
But yesterday finally got here. And we went to the doctor to get the darn thing cut off! Hooray!!
We knew she wouldn't like the process. Took two of us at multiple points. And we made Brooke go along for some moral support (what's better than a sister anyway?). And a bag of M&M's helps too...somewhat. But the process was still not fun. The end result was worth it though!
Here's the last picture of my sweet girl and her little red cast...
And here's some pictures from the dr's visit. I'm telling you - it wasn't fun.
First, the nurse with THE saw. We tried to prepare her, but it was still scary no matter what. I don't blame her. Looks kinda scary doesn't it???
She pretty much screamed through THAT whole process. They first had to saw both sides of it (just the hard part of the cast), then use scissors to cut the inside. So it took a little bit of time. Seemed like an eternity actually, but it was probably more like 5-7 minutes in reality.
However, then it was off and she still hated that nurse. Until, she pulled out a warm washrag and washed her arm down. Ahhhhh........that felt gooooooood! And then the 'massage' afterwards (basically rubbing lotion on to make it smell a little better). She stopped crying for that. ;-)
I guess by then, she thought the worst was over. Me too. But then we had to get an X-ray done to make sure the bone was healed. Now, I know...I know... Most people say, "Why don't they do the X-ray before the cast comes off? What if its not ready yet?" Well, the doctor explained she really had to have it come off so as to not need physical therapy afterwards, so the impression I got is that regardless, on Jan 6, that cast was coming off! Then they do the X-ray to see what the end result is.
Here she is terrified again. Of being held down in awkward positions. She kept screaming, "No! ....No!....No picture!....No!" :-(
No more pictures of the picture because that was a moment that Brad definitely had to help hold her down. It took every bit of two of us to get her still and positioned right for the X-ray.
All is better, though, afterwards, with a bag of M&M's.
And a sister...
The doctor then came in and said the bone was healed and no longer broken. (good news!) However, he said, it's not completely 'set' yet, using the analogy of saying...'it's like the glue just isn't dry yet.' He said the cast is safe to come off and she doesn't need anything further, but for the next couple of weeks to try to keep her out of potentially harmful places. He does realize she is 20.5 months old and that is near impossible, but that we are to limit her, keeping her away from playgrounds, off the couches, no tumbling, etc. So we're keeping her close to home in the meantime and Brooke has strict instructions to not rough-house with her for the next couple of weeks. I really don't need her to re-break it...that's for sure!
Her sweet little arm doesn't look as bad as I was picturing. It was very red, irritated, chafed from just above her elbow to her wrist (I assume where no air was allowed in), so we gave her a bath last night (WOO HOO!!!!) and put more lotion on in hopes that'll clear up quickly. She seems to be using it more and more now, though is still 'sensitive' about it - not letting you look at it, hold it, touch it, etc. Maybe b/c of the chafing? Or maybe just b/c it feels wierd yet. But it is sooo nice to put 'regular' clothes on her again and not have to worry about how big the sleeve is. To me, her arm looks so little now.
Here she is bright and bushy-tailed this morning, with a sweater on that I could not have got on her yesterday. :-) And I should also mention, in this picture, she has her first little ponytail. My sweet girl.
And finally, here's what they left us with...our 'souvenir'. I was shocked at how clean it really was. (we did good!!!) The inside was still completely white and the only dirty spots were the ones that we could see from the outside, so it really wasn't TOO bad. And nothing weird was in there either (I was worried about finding pieces of macaroni and cheese or something..haha). Now, I'm not sure what to do with it. I don't think the cast itself will be going into the baby book.
So, congratulations to us!! For making it with a toddler in a cast! Whew! Glad that's over! (knock on wood of course) I am sure it won't be the last time we deal with it, but its hard when they are so little and not understanding of the whole process. And I'm so proud of my sweet girl for handling so well and being so tough. Remembering back to when she broke it...that first night....she was so tough. We had no inclination that it was broken, she was using it, carrying things around, etc. She is one tough cookie and we are so proud of her for doing as well as she did with the cast! She could've made it a lot harder on us that's for sure, but she was a trooper! And maybe one day, she can go to the doctor for just a regular 'check-up' and not have a reason to be terrified.
Now, I think we need to have a cast-off party! Woo-Hoo!!!
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