LaRae's 1st Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

4th Week of Serial Casting

Week 4 for LaRae's serial casting. We made it threw another week. LaRae has another 8 weeks to go. She did really well this week. She was still not happy with Amy any Marnie. However, she was a trooper. Her tears only latested a few minutes after they were finished this week. I can handle that. Her eblow is progressing rather well. we are at a 60-degree bend it's not a clean bend . However, it is still 25 for then when we started. They had to bi-valve her cast again. that's when they have to put cuts in the cast to keep it from becoming to tight (that is the techincal term for it.) Well, that about it for now.... Wish us luck with the weeks to come..... Until next time......

The cuts are the bi-value.

They are cuting the old cast off.

This is LaRae's bend.

LaRae doesn't mind this part.

She likes to watch.

They are bending the elbow.

She not happy the are really bending and holding

it untill the cast is dry.

Now they are adding the color.

Almost done!!!

They are Bi-value the cast.

LaRae hates this part.

The end!

Week 3 of serial casting.

LaRae and I headed down to duPont Monday October 19, 2009. They recasted her elbow. We are at a 50 degree bend. It's not a pretty bend. However, we are making progress. I also have a happier little girl today. She's not complaining about the cast too much, nothing like last week. She wasn't happy about another one going on. They changed the cast a little bit. We only have one layer of fiberglass wrap around it instead of two. They also cut the cast so their would be no pressure that would cause pain. They also had to wrap it with colored tape to hold it together. It seems to be working it's even lighter so LaRae can lift it a little too. So this week was much better.

Week 2 of LaRae's Serial Casting at duPont

Week 2 of LaRae’s serial casting. We headed to DuPont on Monday October 12, 2009. The kids had off from school. I took Adrian with me - he was a big help. Quintin was home also so he had Q and McKayla with him.

They started by sawing off the old cast which LaRae did not like at all. It was loud and the vibration of the saw wasn’t great at all!!!! So that’s were our nightmare begun… Then they started to recast eminently. She never stopped screaming. I had to stop taking pictures because she was getting too hysterical. I did not take pictures of everything this time. We waited at the hospital for 2 hours hoping that she would stop crying; she didn’t but they still sent us home with the hope she would get better by Wed.

On Tuesday morning, I had to take her to the Pediatrician. I found out that the cast was too tight. I had to drive LaRae back down to DuPont so they could cut the cast to relieve the pressure. That seemed to do the trick. She is still a little crabby - I think that’s from the lack of sleep at this point. We now have 2 weeks behind us. Until next week….. Wish us luck…

Monday when they recasted LaRae's arm. I stopped taking pictures. I couldn't handle her crying and not being able to comfort her.

This was on Moday when the cast was still too tight.

Adrian trying to get LaRae to stop crying.

The cut in the cast to relieve the pressure.

This is the LaRae we all know and love.

LaRae 1st day of serial casting at duPont.

LaRae had her 1st serial casting on October 5, 2009. They were originally going to do the left elbow first. However, after talking to Dr. Jay he decided to serial cast the right elbow instead. LaRae has been using the left arm a lot more over the last few weeks and that was the reason for the change in elbows.

The casting went well. LaRae tolerated it pretty well for the most part. We had more problems keeping LaRae from helping. They set her elbow at a 45-degree angle. She was not happy when the bent the elbow that far. She does have problems with sleeping at night. We have 11 more appts. to go. It will be a long sleepless 12 weeks for mom. However, if Dr. Jay gets the results he is looking for with LaRae’s elbows it will all be worth it. There is a chance we could due round two of serial casting in the future before her tendon releases. That will all depend on how well it works this time.

Every night the kids say a prayer before going to bed for LaRae’s arms.

The day before

After we were done and at home.

Thanks for being so patient while I update my blog. It's finally done.

Thanks for following our story.

Giddy up Horsie

LaRae loves climbing on Adrian's back.

Adrian and Marnie dressing up LaRae

August 22, 2009. Yet another appt to have LaRae's splints refitted. Marnie decided to make static splints too. They fit the whole arm with a little movement in them so we can try to increase the bend before we start the serial casting on October 5, 2009. I did not take pictures this time of them because Marnie and Adrian were having so much fun dressing LaRae up. That I took pictures of that instead.

Finally we saw Dr. Kozin at Shriner's

It's August 12, 2009 we are heading to Shriner's to see Dr. Kozin. We saw him at the AMC convention. I really think we will get a surgery date for LaRae's elbows releases. It probably will not be for another 6 months. However, that’s fine with me. I really hate this drive. So we saw Dr. Kozin it was not what I expected. I was disappointed he would not schedule the surgery. He wants her walking first. I did not understand his decision first and disappointed at it. He wants to see her back in four months and hopefully she will be walking by then and then we can discuss surgery options.

While I was in the appt my phone rang. For some reason I forgot to turn off the ringer. It was at that time he was telling me he was not going to schedule her surgery. I was so frustrated with that decision. I thought finally we will get the date and LaRae will finally be able to bend her elbows. Then my phone rang. We finished up the appt and I called the person back. I’m not going to go in to details about the phone call. However, it was devastating news for a family we know and love. It was then it hit me LaRae does not even care if her elbows bend she does not even know that they should. It’s I rushing the surgery because I think she has to have elbows that bend but does she really need them to bend right now can’t it wait until she is older? Dr Kozin comment about LaRae was I could leave her with him and pick her up in 4 months at her next appt. I keep her on a short lease when they start walking around with her and showing her off. We decline his offer.

So for now we have known idea when LaRae will have any surgeries. She is starting serial casting on October 5, 2009. In December we see Dr. Kozin again. She is not even close to walking at this time. She just started to sit up unsupported. So we have a long way to go.