Unwinding (literally) for a relaxing bath and recasting - all fine

J was happy to stand still while I unwound his cast - it was as if he knew it was what he wanted to happen, so was happy to let me get on with it.

As I snipped the shoulders with the scissors, he grinned at me.

And as I unwrapped it and told him he would be having a proper bath, he peered over the edge, eager to get in! He amazes me with how much he understands.

Gosh there was a lot of material - not just the hard bandage but also the cotton wool wrap near the end, as well as the stretchy jacket. No wonder he gets hot in there!

However, his skin was perfect (not even dry or red) and there were only two tiny bits of food down it (I'd expected far more - more like when you turn the computer keyboard upside down. Or maybe you don't eat at the pc unlike me... mine is dreadful!).  I can't tell if there's been any change - and anyway, 2 weeks of treatment is too early tell.

It has changed the shape of his belly though. It's like a corset, and has pushed in the top part, but underneath is still sticking out.

It felt fantastic to hug him properly.

He so enjoyed splashing in the bath. I find his memory remarkable - he picked up the shampoo and pointed to his hair. He hasn't seen that bottle in 2 weeks, but remembered what it was for! He's also much stronger - and could operate the button on the duck to make it spray (he couldn't do that 2 weeks ago).

This morning we had another early start - but still had time to inspect the washing machine and vacuum cleaner.

Here's my backseat driver.

Who fell asleep at the wheel on the way.

J recognised the room and recognised the plasterer and was not impressed to be back again, but the actual casting went ok all things considered.

Using what we learnt last time, the plasterer cut away the sections under J's arms and made sure there was more soft material all the way round. It's also a bit longer, so his tummy isn't misshapen. That didn't seem to be causing any issues with nappies when I changed him afterwards, but the risk of it getting dirty is greater.

Unfortunately, my memory card was full after just a few shots.

To celebrate, we then went for breakfast at the hospital caff and J had a whole sausage (I thought he'd only manage a bit)!

Now we know what to expect, it feels easier (even though it means J is able to anticipate what will happen when we walk in).

He did have some issues with getting up from the floor afterwards (the length of this cast exacerbates what was already difficult last time) - but hopefully he'll develop a technique to manage that. At one point, he was stuck in what looked like a yoga position in an upside down V shape with his hands and feet on the floor and needed rescuing.

What I don't understand is how it will rotate the spine if that's what's needed. The MRI scan will tell us whether J's spine is twisted.  There is a different type of cast - the Mehta cast which Miss Mehta designed (named after the now-retired consultant who did a lot of pioneering research into infantile scoliosis) - which is put on under general anaesthetic and using traction so it makes sense that the rotation can be done in those circumstances. The plasterer assured me this kind of cast can do it too. I guess I just have to trust for now and wait for the scan when we'll get some measure of the problem.