Saturday, May 25, 2013

cast free

Well yesterday was the big day, Abby's appointment with the surgeon. We really weren't sure what to expect. At the time she was getting her cast on, they were concerned that she had not only fractured her thumb, but also chipped a bone that would maybe require surgery. One thing we were fairly certain of... that she would be having this cast removed because it was practically falling off her arm.

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Mike had taken her back to the hospital when the cast began to crack in half. They assured us it was fine as long as it was still intact around her break, but by the end of that week she had pretty much severed it in two. The only thing keeping it together was the sock/sleeve thing they put on her arm before casting it. So Mike did what any good Canadian father would do and got out the hockey tape.

The surgical intern took one look at that cast and visibly wrinkled her nose.... yes it smelled rather unpleasant, but she assured us that ones on 16 year old boys smelled way worse. Either way she was not happy with the cast. She prefers to use something that is removable so you can clean under it. Her first order of business was to cut that sucker off.

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Abby was a total rock star about the whole saw thing. I think she was nervous until she saw how small it was. It didn't take very long for her to cut through it and Abby's arm to see the light of day for the first time in three weeks.

Washing her hands for the first time in 3 weeks.


The Doctor left us alone for a few minutes with instructions for Abby to wash her hand and arm. She was nervous about using her hand, so Mike helped her a bit. It was probably the best hand wash she'll ever have in her life.

Their original plan from looking at the x-rays was to splint her thumb after removing the cast. The intern and the doctor had her move her thumb around, touch her other four fingers and such. She was stiff, but able to make the movements without pain. They manipulated her thumb and she experienced no pain again so at that point they determined that while the fracture is still healing her thumb had been immobilized for long enough. So she now has 100% of her thumbs as she's been telling people. She is still on restricted activity so no swimming, gym, riding, running around with other kids, riding her bike or heavy lifting. No activities which would put too much of a strain on her thumb or that are deemed risky for a fall for the next three weeks. I'm not going to lie that makes me a bit nervous. Fingers crossed that we make it to June 14th without incident. Thanks to all for your kind words and concern about the Abster. You guys are the best!

Cast off, on restricted activity until June 14th.

1 comment:

Kaci said...

Awhh ya for no cast!! Hope the rest of the healing is fast and painless!