Cast #3 is on!

It's been a while since I posted, so there is a bunch of info and pictures to share!  Before we get into Cast #3, let's talk about some fun things Savanna did in Cast #2...

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! 

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??

Cast #2 prior to removal

Cast #2 prior to removal.  Notice how it is pushed on the left side to push her curve straight.

"Dadin" (as Savanna calls him) cutting the cast off.

After removal.  It really wasn't that dirty inside thankfully.

Bathtime!!!

You can still see that darn rib hump on the left side a bit.

Her skin looked pretty good with only some heat rash, slight bruising, and majorly dry skin.

The cast was off for 3 days!!  It was so wonderful having squishy hugs for those days.  Also, she got THREE baths in that time period so she would be super clean!  Plus, she LOVES playing in the water, which she is not really allowed to do when in her plaster.

Casting Day #3:

In case anyone wants any additional information as to why we are doing the Mehta casting for Savanna, please read this interview:  http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=30557

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!

Cast drying and eating goldfish.

Next we went to the cast trimming room where she got moleskin and coban applied, while eating berries of course!

Spunky helping out.

Our little strawberry is finished!

We got home by 3:00pm, which was nice.  It takes a village, as they say, and we are so happy that our village helps take care of us!  Not only did a good friend stop by to let out our dog while we were gone for the day, but another WONDERFUL friend provided us with a delicious meal so that we didn't have to cook!  Aren't we so lucky that this is our village?

Tonight's dinner, yum!

I keep going back and forth about how I feel about this whole scoliosis and casting journey.  I get really bummed when it's time for Savanna to get the cast back on, but I know we are doing what's right for our girl.  We will continue to be strong for her.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts!  :-)  Her next casting day is June 12, 2014!  It's only 6 weeks away!