Today was the big day, the cast is off! The great face-off with THE SAW went much better than expected even generating smiles from Miles. Granted, he had taken full doses of Tylenol-3 and valium before the appointment, but we didn't see tears until the cast was off and Miles was able to move those stiff legs.
He's been outfitted in a brace. He'll be spending less and less time in the brace until he just sleeps in it at night. It is far more comfortable than the cast and the purpose is to keep him from crossing his legs and to help him transition from the cast. He's able to bend at the hips and knees and has been moving quite a bit. Most of this movement is due to muscle spasms as his freed muscles adjust, and it doesn't seem to be causing him a great deal of pain. We're going to keep him on a regular schedule of painkillers and valium for a couple of days, then wean him back off by the weekend.
He does have a minor infection at one of his three incision sites (the other two look good). It didn't quite close right in the middle. It should clear up pretty quickly now that we can get to it and treat it. We are hoping to get Miles into the pool as soon as next week!
He will resume physical therapy next week, starting gently with range of motion exercises and gradually progressing until he can resume normal activities. He should be able to go to speech and occupational therapy this week as usual. Hopefully he won't be too spacey!
The highlight of our day was the the first of many baths to come. Hopefully, the next bath will be a regular bath, but we didn't want to push it today. Miles was a bit "earthy" smelling, and getting him nice and clean was a big relief for all of us.
Annie
THE SAW
"This isn't as bad as last time..."
The "crab cracker."
Goodbye to the front of the cast.
The calm after the fury.
What was done. If you look carefully on his left hip, you can see where bone was inserted (it's the whiter part). There are clear signs of healing.
The new brace. Bionic boy!
Free at last.
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