So many of you have been so kind to inquire about 4 of 8's progress post surgery...and I am happy to report that I am now the proud owner of a bright green, slightly used cast, one of those convenient items that fits nicely in the baby book. Not.
4 of 8 was really delighted that power tools were going to be involved in her cast removal.
Thankfully, our nurse was quite the hardware honey and made some mitre cuts that would have impressed the most seasoned of carpenters...
And so here it is, the cast un-casted...that plaster looks a little lonely, doesn't it?
Now, I'm getting ready to post some surgical suture photos...so if you're precious that way and can't take a little scalpel action across the ankle, you might want to look deep into your coffee cup for the next pic...'cuz here's the money shot...
Yea, Baby!
The surgeon had used the term 'button' in describing the medical device he would use to tack the muscle bundle he was moving to the bottom of the foot. He would throw around this 'button' term, as in, "I'll just pull the muscle down through the excised bone and attach it to the bottom of the foot with a 'button'." "After three weeks, I'll have to cut off the 'button'." "There may a bit of redness around the 'button'."
I assumed 'button' was orthopedic slang for 'stainless steel round-shaped medical device used for reattaching muscle bundles following bone excision during tarsal coalition surgery.'
I discovered that it is orthopedic slang for 'a plastic button like you would pull off of Grandma's cardigan...'
And just so you can see a little closer ('cuz I know you like that kind of thing...)
4 of 8 is quite glad to be free of her plaster of Paris behemoth and is gleefully limping around in her original walking boot for the next few weeks. We start physical therapy this week and are anxious to see what level of flexibility she will be able to achieve with that bone mass now removed. All in all, it's been a good experience.
And I fished that 'button' out of the exam room trash.
I figure I can tape it in the baby book next to her belly button.
Thematically symmetrical, no?
Orthopedically yours,
Remove the button. That is not something I ever thought I would hear in regards to medical terms.
ReplyDeleteIn the first picture, at a quick glance, I thought she had her fists up, ready for a fight. :)
Glad she is doing well. Will pray that the physical therapy goes smoothly.
So glad that 4 of 8 is rid of "her plaster of Paris behemoth" (love that phrase)! Yay for her!
ReplyDeleteThe belly button comment was just too much.
Funny that I can SEE post-op pics, but the THOUGHT of "the stump" just made me throw up in my mouth. Ew.
I'm so glad that she's doing better! I know it feels great to have that cast taken off. :o)
ReplyDeleteMy mom works in a daycare, and one of her little daycare babies had a broken leg recently. She was changing a diaper and turned around to check on him, only to find his cast on the floor and his leg (and the rest of him, too!) on the other side of the room. Now you tell me, how does a 13-month-old get a cast completely off of his leg by himself? (I have no idea really why I'm asking this question in your comments. I must be feeling chatty today.)
Sounds like she is on the mend!!! And the powertool thing might have sent me into mush, kids and powertools, ahhhh
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear she finally got the cast off.I bet she is so relieved about having her foot free again.
ReplyDeleteI should have skipped the money shot. I'm precious that way.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I hope you find that the surgery has done everything you hoped it would! How funny that it really is like a button!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I've recommended my boys take 7th grade sewing, the teacher insists on a beautifully sewn button. Mommies little surgeons.
ReplyDelete"Precious that way", love it! Perfect description of Adorable Hubby and his mad medical skills.
I'm so glad to hear that 4 of 8 is doing well, and had her cast removed. Yay! Right before Christmas. She must be thrilled (and you). I've never heard of a button before! So interesting what they do!
ReplyDeletePlease tell me you have a penny in one of those 8 baby books. We've had two pennies make the gastrointestinal journey through the bowels of our curious toddlers.
ReplyDeleteSo glad she's doing well!
Just wondering how much you could get for that "slightly used" cast on ebay. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that 4 0f 8 isn't buttoned down anymore! She looks so happy and relieved in the photo, too.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear she's doing well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it all went so well. And thanks for the photos! I love all things medical. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, the money shot wasn't bad like I thought it would be. My coffee stayed down. Glad she's doing well. She seems to be a great sport.
ReplyDeletethat must feel like such a relief to have the cast off! glad everything went well!
ReplyDeleteby the way...you won my giveaway :) congrats!
Umbilical cords and buttons...the memories of childhood.
ReplyDeleteYeah! I'm so glad for her that the cast is gone! May she have a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteYeah for getting off the cast! So do your kids always ask you when you whip out your camera if you are taking pictures for your blog?? LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the money shot. It's actually quite fascinating. We're glad to hear 4 of 8 is doing well and out of the itchy, old cast.
ReplyDeleteI love a mom who photographs the good stuff! We have a cast lying around that I just can't part with. I don't know what to do with it, so it gets tossed from one box of odds n ends to another.
ReplyDeleteHope 4 of 8 does well in physical therapy! What a cutie pie!
I'm so glad she's out of her cast! Hope pt goes well!
ReplyDeleteGlad she is rid of the cast and back to normal soon!
ReplyDeleteOrthopedically yours....
ReplyDeleteBwhahahah!
I know you're all happy to have the cast off! Glad to see her smiling (as usual)! She really has a great personality and seems to light up the room!
ReplyDeleteRoban
She looks like a pro in those pictures! I am so proud of her! I hope the rehab goes well!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad she's healing well and hope that pt goes well :)
ReplyDeleteHer cast sure looks cleaner than my husband's cast from when he was around her age (I've been told his was filled with pine needles...and the predominant smell of it coming off was not that of burning plaster).
ReplyDeleteGood to know that 4 of 8 wasn't concerned about power tools getting so close to her injury.
I guess I'm only "precious that way" if I see it in person. One of my daughters recently had surgery that left her with a 7 inch scar that I wasn't very fond of looking at...until it was completely healed. Of course, I hid behind my camera to get sufficient documentation.
What a brave girl you have. Best wishes for her upcoming therapy!
Yeah-- I bet she is ecstatic!
ReplyDeletewell whatever works right?
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! I have never heard of such a thing! Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear she is happily hobbling :)
How funny about the button! Glad everything seems to be going well with the procedures.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news, so pleased to see the cast is off before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHow brave 4 of 8 is to sit there very calmly while having that power tool saw off her cast.
And you Octamom instead of holding her hand, decided to take pictures....you crack me up!
Hope all goes well with physio therapy.
Hugs
Peggy
Perhaps I'm a bit warped because no one else has mentioned this... imagine if her button was in a bit more accessible place, she could make all sorts of cool accessories to hang off it. Too bad it's gone. I have always wondered if people with metal plates in their head can magnet their hair in place? Or perhaps whack their shopping list there... You have made me want my clinical photography job back!!! blood, gore and cameras, makes for one happy mummy!
ReplyDeleteyay!! congrats!! Phew!! One more stretching and challenging lesson down, how many more??? God is faithful and good! :-)
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