Cast Day

So yesterday was the big day. It was overwhelming and long to say the least. We had to be there at 6am and we walked out the doors about noon.

I am not even really sure I can accurately put into words what yesterday was like. It just was. However, I can say that I really feel like we had the best first cast day ever. Why? Well so many reasons really. First, we got to share it with two amazing families that have been with us on this journey the last few months. Their sons were there for cast #5 and the hugs, words of support and encouragement meant the world to us. I have life long friends in these women. Their husbands and parents are pretty amazing too. And the kids, well I think we had the 3 cutest, bravest and most amazing kids in that hospital yesterday.

Where there tears? Oh yeah. I cried a good number of them.Where there screams? Oh yeah. Kiya post anesthesia screaming was really tough. Really really tough but once we were able to be with her it helped. Yes we could here her screaming from the waiting area. I am not sure I could have prepared myself for that. I was warned by my new friends and Nurse Gwen (who is a saint in my opinion) but wow that was the worst part of the day for sure.

We were with Kiya up until the rolled her back to surgery. We even got to gown up and watch cartoons in pre-op with her. They gave her some medicine to help ease separation. Kiya LOVED it and wanted to more. Instead of settling she was all over the place. The nurse bought out this crazy singing/dancing super annoying monkey and she finally sat and watched that and settled. They rolled her back just before 8:30am.

We went and had some breakfast and waited. We sat with one of the other families and just chatted while trying to pass the time. Finally, the doctor's showed up. We got to meet her new Doctor also and he is GREAT. They told us her pre-cast x-ray showed a curve of 50 + degrees (she was previously around 40) and that they were able to hold her curve at 15 degrees in cast. I think I teared up and would have fainted had I not been leaning on a desk. I was never expecting to hear such a low in cast number. That doesn't mean when we take the cast off in a few months that her curve will be 15 it just means they were able to manipulate her spine and hold her at 15 for the next few months. I so wish I would hear 15 for her next x-ray but that is unlikely. We were assured that this was fabulous news for a first cast so we went with that.

Next up was taping, trimming and a little more trimming. The cast saw was not Kiya's favorite nor was Nurse Gwen and her tape. Did I mention that Nurse Gwen is a saint. She just loved on sweet Kiya and she could see that she was a spunky, spirited kid. She wished us luck with her :) She was just the best and didn't even mind when Kiya flung yogurt all over all of us really. She just laughed and said at least she didn't puke on me :) Robert had to trim a few places on the cast and really he is a gentle soul with all the kids as well.

So here we were with Kiya in her freshly taped and trimmed purple cast and kind of like now what. Our new normal was starting to set in. We had to change her diaper and that was challenge but some kind words from a sweet grandma helped. Now I feel like I could do it in my sleep. We had to adjust. We all did.

Kiya really did great. Much better than I had anticipated. I was preparing myself for the worst. All the nurses, techs, doctors, parents, etc kept commenting that Kiya really did do fabulous for it being her first cast. I was prepared for a long 3 hour drive with a grumpy toddler but I got a quiet peaceful ride. She asked for teddy grahams, pretzels and her dolly and then she slept. So sweet. She spent the afternoon on the couch where she watched her favorite shows. I fed her some yogurt. She did ask for a hot dog so of course she got one. She did manage to eat some of that by herself in the high chair. We are still working on the feeding situation as she can't see her food as well.

She can't really sit up by herself and as of last night couldn't stand up, roll over, crawl or really do much of anything. She did walk a few steps holding our hands but not much. I don't blame her really. She was in full traction and pulled every which way possible to get that 50 down to 15. She was sore and top heavy.

She went to bed at 7 after some Tylenol. Woke at 9:30ish and we gave her some Ibuprofen. She slept until 1am. I changed her diaper and gave her some tylenol and she slept the rest of the night.

Kiya is a truly amazing kid. She surprised us yesterday again with her resilience. I don't think I give her enough credit. I have a lot to learn from that little one. I am proud to be her mother. And if I ever doubted (which I don't) that we truly attached and bonded as a family, I got complete confirmation in that yes in fact we are. She needs us. She calls for us. She settled down for us. And we need her to keep us grounded and to keep on trucking. Nothing is going to stop Miss Kiya and I love that about my daughter.

***Update in Kiya's Korner also and will post updates about day to day there as well