SPICA

Here are some photos from K's spica cast time.  In all of the years the pediatric orthopedist has been doing this, K is only the second child to have a bone separate *after* being set and casted like that.  The surgeon had already set a few femurs earlier that day and had set many since then.  He really understands that this kid isn't about statistics so he goes above and beyond now with him to ensure that everything is healing properly.

The first cast - it goes up on to his ribcage and was positioned in more a "sitting" position than the second cast.  I don't really have many photos of the second cast - I was doing to document what I did.  And honestly, I really don't miss any photos - part of me is glad I took the few I did so that he can see when he's older, but I honestly don't really want to dwell on these.

His couch set up.

 This is a photo of the second cast - it's definitely more of a "lay down" position and still came up onto his ribs.  We were stressed every time he ate - if he choked, we had no access for the heimlich.

The final cast coming off in mid-November.  That tool in the foreground used vibrations to "cut" the cast.  They made a cut on both sides and then the middle.  They said it was the cleanest cast they ever saw after that long of a time on a 3 year old! 

 Starting to pull the top half of the cast off.  K was coming a little unglued.  He was tired of the cast but was scared to lose it at the same time.  It was his safety.

Lifting it off of him.

 And there's the top half!  Held it up for him to see (through his tears).

No more tears!  Feeling sassy that he was out of the cast.  The tape over the scars wouldn't come lose until we got home and had a double bath.  He grew about 2 to 3 inches while he was in the cast.