I am pleased to announce that on May 5th, Isabelle had her cast removed! It was a long six weeks of sponge baths, not getting to play outside, no running races, and needing mommy to help with many tasks she could no longer do for herself. "Cast off" day finally came and Belle's excitement mirrored the enthusiasm she had had the day we went to Cedar Point!
I had decided against telling Belle how the cast would be removed unless she asked me. She was so excited and I didn't want her joy to turn to anxiety. Just before we left for the doctor's office, however, Belle finally asked, "Mommy, how are they gonna get it off." I explained that they used a little saw to cut through it. It's very loud, but not sharp. You can touch it with your finger and not get hurt. I could see the worry in her face, but she didn't complain. During the car ride, Belle sang an impromptu little song about getting her cast off and how happy she was that she'd be running outside soon. I wish I could have recorded it!
I hope the following pictures amply share Belle's story and the next part of the process of correcting club feet.
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| The loud saw |
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| less than a minute and almost done! |
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| Not happy, but not crying! |
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| Now to cut through the inner wrappings |
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| She's free!!! |
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| All done and it finally hits her.... |
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| Nothing that a little chocolate from mommy can't cure |
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| Happy again.... |
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| Dr. Buerk removing the last bandages |
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| removing the button holding the tendon in its new position |
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This is scary and a bit painful. Belle's foot and leg haven't been touched in six weeks.
They tell me the nerve endings are hyper-sensitive and make everything feel like pins and needles. |
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| Checking the new position of the foot...everything looks great! |
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Re-wrapping the foot to put the cast back on...What?? Belle will need to
keep the cast on to support her foot until an AFO (custom fit brace) can be made. |
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| Luckily they cut the cast down and clean out most of the stinky goo |
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Belle was not happy about being back in the cast and surprised
Dr. Buerk when she tried to take it off. |
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We left the orthopedic surgeon's office and headed to the orthotic center.
Belle was mad she wasn't walking yet but was very excited about the play area! |
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| Belle's cast had to come off again, which didn't make her happy. |
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Belle was a good sport and didn't put up a big fight. The specialist
marked and wrapped her foot... |
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and then put a plaster cast on Belle. She was really ticked off now!
I tried to explain that it was only for a few minutes, but she was done
listening to big people. |
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After the cast hardened, it was carefully removed and preserved to make the AFO.
It has to be an exact mold of her leg and foot. She will wear it for up to 6 months! |
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| The first thing Belle wanted to do when we got home was take a bubble bath! |
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| One week after the cast came off, Belle's brace was ready. It's rather large and has to be worn for up to 6 months. The orthotic center doesn't supply shoes to go over it. We went to Stride Rite and tried on dozens of shoes before realizing that we had to get a size 10 wide. These sandal tennis shoes worked because they had long adjustable straps. We still had to get shoes 2 sizes too big which is a problem for the other foot. I opted not to get a second pair in size 8. |
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| Belle walked all the way from the store to the mall fountain! It was her first time without the walker and she was so proud! She is moving slowly and with a limp, but making great strides towards recovery! Thanks for all your prayers and love, we have been so blessed by all our friends and family! |
