Bryant's Traction- Week 2 Recap

We are halfway through our Hip Chick's traction experience- hooray!  So far, we have succeeded in providing a cheery environment for her- even if we now hear the Bubble Guppies theme song in our sleep.  Soon, we will begin to transition our focus from traction maintenance to her surgery and 18 weeks in a spica cast.  Her first cast will extend from her armpits to her ankles and she is projected to be casted into mid-August. But today, we celebrate our current victory.

Below are new thoughts regarding her traction experience:

1. What coping mechanisms has she developed, if any?
Our daughter is very social.  Without her daycare friends, she has begun speaking to her stuffed animals via interactive conversation, as though they are alive.  Just the other night, Pooh Bear had to brush his teeth with her prior to bedtime.  This is also indicative of her age, but the traction experience seems to have accelerated it.

2. What adjustments have been made since last week?
We have experimented to find a better sponge bath option.  We had more sucess washing her hair by wrapping the lower half of her body in a trash bag, one of us holding her while standing in the shower, and the other washing her hair.  Sponge baths are better managed as a separate occasion.

3. Looking back at the week, what changes could we have made?
Two people have mentioned a "dry shampoo" option for her.  Unfortunately, opportunities to shop (beyond a speedy trip to the local supermarket) are rather limited these days.  I hope to swing by Ulta or Beauty Brands this week.

4. Hip Chick seems to be a bit of a Houdini.  What new challenges have occurred?

She recently removed one of the stabilizing rods for the traction unit, photo above.  Also, my heart leapt through my chest yesterday morning, as I awoke to see her standing via the video monitor.  I dashed into her room to discover that she had taken the liberty to remove her good hip from traction and was looking to leave her crib.  Children in this age range need constant monitoring while in traction, mostly for their own safety.

5. Have we made additional adjustments to the floor arrangement surrounding her traction unit?  

No, she seems to have enough room to maneuver now that we connect the traction mat with her Tinkerbell couch.

6. Have we bought anything for ourselves to aid ourselves during this time?

Yes- we purchased an oversized bean bag from Target.  This has provided much needed relief for our backs while still enabling us to spend time on the floor with her.

7. Have we entertained visitors?

Very few.  Outside of her big sister, we suspect that seeing other (mobile) children at home could upset her, as she would be stuck in the traction unit while watching others run through the house with her toys.  And as we must keep her well, we don't want to unnecessarily expose her to potential illness.  

8. Have we transitioned to a gummy vitamin yet?

Yes.  Once she began refusing the liquid multi, I purchased a gummy vitamin and she takes it daily.

9. When/what is the next milestone?

She has no additional appointments scheduled before her surgery on March 25th.  The question remains whether she can be limited to surgery on her musculature (to reset the femur via a closed process) or whether she will require the open hip surgery and potantially have a portion of her femur removed.