Having got up at 4.25am and been on the go ever since (we left hospital 6pm and got home at 9.20pm after J got upset in the car and needed a break at a service station) this is going to be minimalistic but I hope to write more tomorrow.
The good news is that J is ok. The cast is on and it's purple and blue - but he didn't get any say in the matter :-(
He was a bit wobbly after the procedure (the new cast is heavier and affected his balance) and found it hard to get up from certain positions. But he attacked lunch with gusto within an hour of leaving recovery and went off to play in the huge play area, running, climbing and everything with few signs of it having affected him!
5.55am and J is etcha sketching as we set off in the car
J looked v peaceful till he spotted the camera...
J said no to everything until one of the wonderful nurses let him "ping" the thermometer caps. He did it again and again and was much happier after that!
J didn't want an identity bracelet and was refusing when suddenly bubbles appeared - the play specialist is an expert in distraction and spotted that we needed some help. Fantastic!
Playdo. Spot froggy in the background adorned with the stickers J "earned" for putting on the bracelet. Spot the said bracelet now taken off on the table...
Stickle brix. J loved them. V glad I got some at the NCT sale the other day.
We went to the pre-op room about 9.20 (there were problems with beds for post-op so we were delayed). J had had a syringe of pre-med already and was drowsy on the way down (looked drunk!). By this stage he's pretty much out of it. The idea is that he won't remember the anaesthetic next time so he won't remember to hate it!
Receiving the gas
This is amazing - they agreed to take my camera into the operating theatre. The pics below are of the cast being applied.
This is on the frame- after the undercoat is stitched on they then manipulate the spine.
Plaster of paris is applied
Now the layer we're familiar with - the coloured part.
They cut a hole in the tummy to allow for expansion when eating (in the past it was found the stomach was distorted permanently and there were big probs)
Note the monitor on J's ear (I think heart)
The felt edging is applied to make it softer on the skin.
This cast has two holes at the side for rib cage expansion.
All done and a hug from froggy :-)
J was on a nurses knee for an hour before they called me (his temp had gone down to 34 degrees so he was wrapped up in blankets). Here we are up in the ward afterwards. Note the huge gap above the shoulder. I guess it's for movement - but it makes him look v american footballerish in clothes!
Right as rain.
Back to normal - if it's not plugs it's poking tubes in the v accessible holes by the cot
I got him a lovely balloon while I was waiting for the call to get him
In the play area in the afternoon
Dolls house
Getting weary
J got upset on the way home so we stopped at a service station. This is about 8.30pm having been on the go all day...
I told the photographer to take more than one because one or other of us would have our eyes shut and J deliberately closed his eyes and laughed. He has a lovely sense of humour :-)
I will blog the details tomorrow.
Good night
All is quiet with J, so I'm hoping for a quiet night...
[infantile scoliosis J's diary blogspot]
http://infantilescoliosis-diary.blogspot.co.uk/
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