Today ends our daughter's first week after her salter (pelvic) osteotomy, femoral osteotomy, and open reduction. To recap her journey thus far, she began treatment in February of this year. Prior to this, her treatment included one month of Bryant's Traction, a closed reduction with groin surgery, two spica casts, one petrie cast, (14 weeks of casting, in total) and a Rhino Brace. From the onset of traction to the end of her current process, we will have spent 13 months in attempt to correct her dislocated left hip and malformed socket. Below are our recent thoughts.
1. Hip Chick had difficulty while admitted. How is her current disposition and what do we attribute it to?
She is still a bit emotionally volatile, but her disposition is much improved. Despite the cheeriest of environments and the best medical care, a hospital is still a sterile environment. There is simply no greater comfort than home.
2. How is her pain management?
It is under control, but she is not yet ready to be weaned off of her pain medicines completely.
3. Has she attempted any of her infamous antics yet?
No, not yet. This experience has been harder for her, but we know she will return to her usual self soon.
4. Has the diapering process changed?
No. We are still able to use the same diapering process. In fact, this cast is roomiest of all! Once her swelling fully recedes, we may have to go up a diaper size for the inside "tuck."
5. A prior post indicated that her crib was disassembled for this surgery. What is she sleeping in now?
Her nursery had a convertible crib, so Daddy removed the front crib side and converted it to a toddler bed. Her feet are casted so wide that she would have no longer fit in her crib. The mattress is so low and she is so immobile in her sleeping position that we see minimal risk in this arrangement. We would have preferred a cheerier occasion to give her a "big girl" bed, but we are thankful that we already had this option at home.
6. She was unwilling to ride in her wheelchair at first- any progress?
Mommy has been playing with fabrics and bows. One look at the latest fabric Mommy was playing with and she begged to sit in the wheelchair and go for a walk, despite the unfinished product. (See top photo.) It's all in the presentation!
7. The last post indicated a craft project of sorts to give the wheelchair more "toddler appeal." How did this work out?
Young girls like colorful patterns with shapes they enjoy- or, at least, mine do. They also like fun details such as tassels and sparkle. After listening to a friend remark about "no sew" blankets, I decided to give a similar attempt to her wheelchair covers. There are lots of tassels to play with and Hip Chick was toying with them at her first opportunity.
We'll call it... "orthopaedic shabby chic." Were I more enterprising, I would knot beads or jewels Iinto the tassels. Who knows? We have 11 weeks ahead of us- plenty of time for such things. In the meantime, a very smart person suggested ribbons on the spokes of her wheelchair.
With Love,
Mom
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