Post Casting: Six Week Recap

This week is a notable week.  Not only has Hip Chick passed six weeks since cast-off and pin removal, this week marks exactly one year since her diagnosis.  One year.  Four weeks of traction, two major surgeries, four day surgery procedures, four spica casts, one petrie cast... and, as her surgeon keeps reminding us, her journey has just begun.

I took a much-needed hiatus from blogging the past two weeks, as a mental break was in order. As a promising xray granted Hip Chick a three month reprieve from the ticker tape of medical appointments, we are building the beginning of our new "normalcy."  What that means exactly- I cannot say.  Neither can I predict for how long it will last... but isn't that the case with life in general?  Always a balancing game.

Below are current thoughts:

1.  Where does Hip Chick's mobility stand currently?
She is mostly improving upon her speed- and she is quick!  She is bending her left knee a little more, but it remains stiff.  Her range of motion on the left side remains limited.

2.  Mobility aside, how is she progressing developmentally?
She is transitioning into her childcare center's lower preschool class this week!

3.  How does potty training fall into her developmental progress?
Many people had asked about potty training during her treatment last year.  First, there is no productive way to attempt potty training with a child whose lower extremities are casted.  Weighing the options of "potty train to fit others' ideas of what her life should be" against "delay treatment and increase her potential for a hip replacement before age 30," we were happy to take on the silent judgement.  Yet... Hip Chick asked that we start letting her sit on the potty just over a week ago and has had a few successful attempts.  She will be just fine!

4.  Does she still experience pain?
Yes- at times.  Her complaints usually center on her femoral plate.  Twice, she has slipped or slid and stretched her left leg more than is comfortable.  These are infrequent concerns.

5.  Is she enrolled in any "extra curriculars?"
Not at this time.  We had originally considered a "Mommy and Me" water class for the spring, but her left leg's mobility seems too weak for that at this time.  We will revisit the topic after her femoral plate removal this summer.

6.  How are we dressing her?
She has worn leggings a few times, but we will shy away from jeans or rigid pants for the foreseeable future.  Soft fabrics are key!

7.  Have the sleep issues subsided?
They remain, but are improving.  Hip Chick's surgeon advised us that lingering nightmares are common, so we expect a gradual resolution.

8.  Will the blog continue?
Why, yes!  We hope that her most difficult days have passed, but the journey is young and unpredictable.