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| Cast #2 |
Cast #2 Adventures:
We took a trip to Florida in March to visit family.
We had fun singing songs and FINALLY playing outside in the nicer weather.
We went to the children's museum in Hendersonville, NC, http://handsonwnc.org/ which was really fun. They have all kinds of neat things for the kiddos: a pretend grocery store and ice cream shop (complete with working register!), a nursery with multiple baby dolls, a "fishing pond" with magnetic fish, a stage for the kids to put on plays, etc. It's a great place!
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| Savanna having a blast at the hand-washing station. What can we say? She's easy to please. |
We went hiking in DuPont State Forest.
And, we went to a buddy's second birthday (among many other adventures!)...
Genetics Consult:
Based on the recommendations of a couple of doctors, we took Savanna for a genetic consultation. It was a lengthy appointment with a super nice doctor who mainly observed and examined Savanna. I am happy to report that she did not think there is any genetic syndrome that Savanna has which could have caused the scoliosis! This is great news!
Cast Removal:
After all of these adventures, it was time to remove Savanna's cast. Cast #1 was only on for about 5.5 weeks and took us about a half an hour to remove. This cast was on for 8.5 weeks and took us around 1.5 hours to remove! I'm not sure why this cast was so much more difficult to remove, but possibly because she grew so much more and we didn't have as much room to get the tin snips in and cut??
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| Cast #2 prior to removal |
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| Cast #2 prior to removal. Notice how it is pushed on the left side to push her curve straight. |
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| "Dadin" (as Savanna calls him) cutting the cast off. |
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| After removal. It really wasn't that dirty inside thankfully. |
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| Bathtime!!! |
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| You can still see that darn rib hump on the left side a bit. |
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| Her skin looked pretty good with only some heat rash, slight bruising, and majorly dry skin. |
Casting Day #3:
Packing List (it's a lot smaller than the list for our first casting appointment):
- 1 big bib
- Size 3 diapers
- Size 3T shirts and 2T pants * 2
- Her lovey Spunky
- Folder with questions for the doctor
- Food for lunch and snacks for all 3 of us
- Water in sippy for her and water bottle for us
- iPad with charger
- Phone
- Gas drops (essential to help with the gas she gets from the anesthesia)
- Brush and hair clips
Casting day started with mom and dad up at 4:15am and Savanna up at 5:00 to make the trip to the hospital by 7:00. Once there, we watched some early morning cartoons...
Savanna loved the balloon in her room.
Up in the pre-op room, we all got ready for surgery.
Of course there was goofing around while we waited for the docs... Notice that Savanna stole the hat from the panda!
Ready for the operating room. I get to go back with her to help keep her calm while they give her the anesthesia. Many people have asked why it's called "surgery" if they do not actually cut into her, and I think it is because of the anesthesia primarily. Plus, she's in the operating room with a surgeon working on her. She fussed a little more this time when they put the mask on her, but overall, she was still the trooper we know her to be. Thank goodness she has such a sweet disposition. We are really blessed!
After surgery, the doctor said she did great. She woke up really quickly and was HUNGRY! She ate goldfish, a PB&J, and a container of berries within an hour of surgery! Berries make appearances in the next several photos, you've been warned! Savanna wasn't always happy during the process, and whenever she got upset berries were offered which immediately cheered her up!
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| Cast drying and eating goldfish. |
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| Spunky helping out. |
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| Our little strawberry is finished! |
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| Tonight's dinner, yum! |
