Hip Chick did it! She has completed one month of casting after her osteotomies. Combined with her initial round of casting (after her closed reduction), she has had 18 weeks of casting thus far this year. If all goes as planned, roughly eight more weeks of casting to go. Below are our recent thoughts.
1. At the three week mark, Hip Chick still was not very mobile- has this changed?
She is requesting to "crawl" more and requesting changes of scenery more often. She is growing a little restless, which may be a springboard to more mobility.
2. How is her disposition?
We still receive compliments on her disposition from her childcare provider. She seems to be settling more at home as well. We are thankful, as it has been a difficult month. She still has some sleep issues, though- which means we all have sleep issues.
3. How is her relationship developing with her wheelchair?
She has grown accustomed to it, at least for brief intervals at mealtimes and outings. She recently watched an episode of Sesame Street in which there was a cartoon of a little boy playing in his wheelchair, photo above. She was so excited to see another child with a special chair that she exlaimed out to Mommy and Daddy. In a best case scenario, we will need the wheelchair for only another couple of months. If this were to become a longer term need, it would be helpful for her to know another child with a wheelchair.
4. How does she handle being around children who don't have mobility issues?
Fortunately, most of the children in her current daycare class were with her during the first three casts. They seem to have an understanding of each other. When I dropped her off at daycare this morning, two playmates ran to greet her and were by her side as I walked away. Her teachers tell me that the other children bring toys to her and help her.
5. Does she request or attempt to do things she cannot physically accomplish in the cast?
She occasionally asks to go swimming or take a bath. Most recently, she has wanted to dance. On the drive to daycare this morning, she slowly and gracefully moved her arms to my radio's tunes. She told me that she was a ballerina. She also "danced" for her teachers today. One seemed to find this sad, but Daddy and I think it to be a very positive sign that she still wants to do such things and encourage it!
6. Is she developmentally delayed in other areas from all of her mobility challenges this year?
Not at all- physical disabilities and mental disabilities are two different issues and should be treated as such. She is simply a normal little girl who cannot walk right now. Her only crutch had been her beloved pacifier, of which she has been free for 48 hours. She finally chewed it into such deterioration that I told her it would start giving her tongue "owies" if she did not throw it away. And she did! I had not pushed her too hard to break the habit due to all of her other issues this year, but this natural opportunity presented itself.
7. How was her transition into the "big girl bed," since it coincided with her second surgery?
That was a very easy transition. She is too immobile in the cast to cruise the house at night and does not seem to miss the crib slats.
8. What is next?
She will have a cast change prior to Halloween. As before, she will undergo general anesthesia and go into the OR for an arthrogram. If her pelvis has (re)generated enough bone, her pelvic pins will be removed. If not, they will remain until cast off. She will be recasted and then discharge home. Current plan is for her to be casted until sometime in December.
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