Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

[Guest guest]

Great news! Sounds like things went very well and you are pleased with Ian's progress and prognosis. I wish I could have seen you guys. How fun will that be to be cast free at a beach and in the sand?! Are you guys going to plan a trip? 2 more casts! That is also great. I am hoping for only two-three more for Cole also. That means you could be done end of July with casting!!!! What is your next casting date?We arrived at Shriners at around 4 pm(Wed). We saw the family from Virginia, and I saw his waterproof cast! Cole is supposed to get that cast on also. I am also a little nervous about submerging him in water, but I guess if the docs say it's OK, then that's what we're going to do. Please let us know how bathes go and how the cast does after.As for Cole, well his cast is off. When we took it off, he had some pretty bad skin irritation around his waist and hips, so it was decided to let his skin heel, and come back in 6 days to get the waterproof cast put on at

that time. I am excited/happy and also nervous/concerned to have his cast off for 6 days, but the doc said he didn't think it would make that much of a difference in the correction. I hope that's correct. His back looks great, and hopefully will look great in 6 days from now. If he is not done with casts by August, we are going to ask to have it off for another week for a planned beach vacation. Glad you made it home safely. Hopefully Ian will sleep peacefully tonight after his trial. What a trooper! and Cole Claflin <noellesmommy@...> wrote: We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!!

They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton

padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8

degrees in this one. Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow. BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted. Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

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It was good to see you again and to meet Noelle! Sorry Ian had such a rough time with the taping. It seems to get worse every time doesn't it? The entire process was worse for Jake, too, because he remembers what happens in that hospital and in that room. Not much longer for either of our boys, thank the good Lord! Best wishes for great success, mom to and Jake Claflin <noellesmommy@...> wrote: We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the

first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for

Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow. BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted. Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

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So Happy to hear things went well that is so great about the water proof cast I was hoping they would come out with somthing like that soon I wish could of had one of those when she was in cast. Great news, Bridgette and Claflin <noellesmommy@...> wrote: We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good

candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming.

He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow. BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted. Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

[Guest guest]

Glad the numbers got down so much! Good luck with the waterproof cast- I hope it works well for him ( and you!) and Evan Claflin <noellesmommy@...> wrote: We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast

is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I

just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow. BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the

material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted. Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

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[Guest guest]

jennifer,

i am so happy for ian and your family on your good results

with casting. i'm sorry that the trip is so long, but it

seems like it's working. you will have to keep everyone

updated on this new type of cast and how it is working with

baths and swimming -- if you decide to take the plunge --

literally. i would definitely be nervous, but i'm always glad

to hear how erie is trying new things and still getting good

results. they really care about the kids and their quality of

life in these casts.

our best,

deshea, geordie, lucas & ruby

---- Original message ----

>Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:46:01 -0500

>From: " Claflin " <noellesmommy@...>

>Subject: Ian got a waterproof cast!

> " infantile scoliosis " <infantile scoliosis treatment >

>

> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip.

> Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we

> couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees

> out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!!

> Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass

> cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one

> they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea

> pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was

> working so well for him, but they thought he would

> be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing

> so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let

> me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly

> weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and

> now I am scared that I had her take too much off.

> Being a guinea pig is not always the best of

> situations however. Taping of this cast did not go

> well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net

> under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to

> the outside of the cast. got called away and

> another nurse came in and totally messed it up.

> They had to pull all of the taping off that the

> second nurse did and redo it since the tape was

> sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't

> covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it

> was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he

> actually fell asleep for the final taping because he

> screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I

> can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go

> into a lake or ocean water or anything like that,

> but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools.

> I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour

> afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I

> am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also

> said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the

> time of his next casting we can get the cast taken

> off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I

> also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian

> would be in and he thought maybe only two!!

> Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just

> a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh,

> and in this cast we didn't get anymore

> correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

>

> Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some

> pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post

> them tomorrow.

>

> BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass

> casts this week if the material come in, so I will

> be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not.

> I know they were planning on trying it on the other

> boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and

> Ian were casted.

>

>

> Noelle (12-2-01)

> Ian (8-15-04)

>

>

[Guest guest]

You know I wondered why they couldn't do the waterproof casts. When my son broke his arm (again!!!) they put a special wrapping underneath of the fiberglass that made it waterproof. It was wonderful and really worked. For whatever reason whenever I book us a vacation at the Dells waterparks he feels the need to break his arm, it has happened twice and the first time I had to purchase a vinyl cast protector but the second time the waterproof one did great. It was on his arm and he did have to let it hang for awhile after drying off for the water to run out, but it didn't soften the cast at all. I do remember that it was like $30 extra we had to pay just for a little arm one because insurance doesn't cover it. Maybe that's why they haven't done it on our scoli kids till now. I know I would pay dearly to be able to put Evanlee in a bath. , mom of Evanlee & is (9 months)"Deshea L.

" <deshea@...> wrote: jennifer,i am so happy for ian and your family on your good resultswith casting. i'm sorry that the trip is so long, but itseems like it's working. you will have to keep everyoneupdated on this new type of cast and how it is working withbaths and swimming -- if you decide to take the plunge --literally. i would definitely be nervous, but i'm always gladto hear how erie is trying new things and still getting goodresults. they really care about the kids and their quality oflife in these casts.our best,deshea, geordie, lucas & ruby---- Original message ---->Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:46:01 -0500>From: " Claflin" <noellesmommy@...> >Subject: Ian got a waterproof cast!

>"infantile scoliosis" <infantile scoliosis treatment >>> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. > Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we> couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees> out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! > Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass> cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one> they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea> pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was> working so well for him, but they thought he would> be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing> so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let> me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly> weighs

anything. I also had them trim a lot, and> now I am scared that I had her take too much off. > Being a guinea pig is not always the best of> situations however. Taping of this cast did not go> well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net> under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to> the outside of the cast. got called away and> another nurse came in and totally messed it up. > They had to pull all of the taping off that the> second nurse did and redo it since the tape was> sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't> covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it> was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he> actually fell asleep for the final taping because

he> screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I> can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go> into a lake or ocean water or anything like that,> but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. > I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour> afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I> am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also> said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the> time of his next casting we can get the cast taken> off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I> also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian> would be in and he thought maybe only two!! > Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just> a guess and not to get my

hopes up too much. Oh,> and in this cast we didn't get anymore> correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some> pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post> them tomorrow.> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass> casts this week if the material come in, so I will> be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. > I know they were planning on trying it on the other> boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and> Ian were casted.> > > Noelle (12-2-01)> Ian (8-15-04)>>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Deshea. I'm afraid to get him in the water! If it doesn't work, I REALLY don't want to make that trip up there again. I will try it at some point, but I am going to be cautious.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Ian got a waterproof cast! >"infantile scoliosis" <infantile scoliosis treatment >>> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. > Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we> couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees> out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! > Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass> cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one> they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea> pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was> working so well for him, but they thought he would> be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing> so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let> me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly> weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and> now I am scared that I had her take too much off. > Being a guinea pig is not always the best of> situations however. Taping of this cast did not go> well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net> under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to> the outside of the cast. got called away and> another nurse came in and totally messed it up. > They had to pull all of the taping off that the> second nurse did and redo it since the tape was> sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't> covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it> was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he> actually fell asleep for the final taping because he> screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I> can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go> into a lake or ocean water or anything like that,> but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. > I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour> afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I> am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also> said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the> time of his next casting we can get the cast taken> off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I> also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian> would be in and he thought maybe only two!! > Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just> a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh,> and in this cast we didn't get anymore> correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some> pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post> them tomorrow.> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass> casts this week if the material come in, so I will> be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. > I know they were planning on trying it on the other> boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and> Ian were casted.> > > Noelle (12-2-01)> Ian (8-15-04)>>

[Guest guest]

, Dr. K did say it was more expensive. But, I think one of the reasons they haven't done it before is that Mehta really thinks plaster does better at holding the correction. I know they only tried it on Ian because his curve is already so much better than it was...I think if he was still in the 40's they would have done plaster. I guess this will be the test. I really hope I don't regret going this route.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Ian got a waterproof cast! >"infantile scoliosis" <infantile scoliosis treatment >>> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. > Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we> couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees> out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! > Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass> cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one> they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea> pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was> working so well for him, but they thought he would> be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing> so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let> me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly> weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and> now I am scared that I had her take too much off. > Being a guinea pig is not always the best of> situations however. Taping of this cast did not go> well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net> under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to> the outside of the cast. got called away and> another nurse came in and totally messed it up. > They had to pull all of the taping off that the> second nurse did and redo it since the tape was> sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't> covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it> was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he> actually fell asleep for the final taping because he> screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I> can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go> into a lake or ocean water or anything like that,> but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. > I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour> afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I> am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also> said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the> time of his next casting we can get the cast taken> off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I> also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian> would be in and he thought maybe only two!! > Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just> a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh,> and in this cast we didn't get anymore> correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some> pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post> them tomorrow.> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass> casts this week if the material come in, so I will> be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. > I know they were planning on trying it on the other> boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and> Ian were casted.> > > Noelle (12-2-01)> Ian (8-15-04)>>

[Guest guest]

Oh, this was by far the worse. Having to redo the tape about sent him over the edge (and me too!). I am sure you guys were just as tired as we were by the time you got home.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

It was good to see you again and to meet Noelle! Sorry Ian had such a rough time with the taping. It seems to get worse every time doesn't it? The entire process was worse for Jake, too, because he remembers what happens in that hospital and in that room. Not much longer for either of our boys, thank the good Lord!

Best wishes for great success,

mom to and Jake Claflin <noellesmommy@...> wrote:

We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

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I'm sorry to hear about Cole's skin, but I bet it will be so nice for him to be free of it for a week. It will be so nice to snuggle with him cast-free!! Ian's skin was a lot worse in this cast than the first too. He had a bruise on his back and some really red areas. I guess you have to take the good with the bad in this case. Does this mean they didn't x-ray him while you were there? I am anxious to hear how well he is doing out of cast. We were given a May 17th date, but I am probably going to have to reschedule. My daughter has her dance dress rehearsal and recital that week...we haven't been given her exact dates, but chances are that it is going to conflict. She's worked all year for this, so I can't let her miss it. I will let you know when I get a different date...I hope we get to meet up again.

Oh, we're nervous about submerging him in water too. I might slowly ease into that. At least now I don't have to be quite so careful when bathing and I can let him use our water table.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

Great news! Sounds like things went very well and you are pleased with Ian's progress and prognosis. I wish I could have seen you guys. How fun will that be to be cast free at a beach and in the sand?! Are you guys going to plan a trip? 2 more casts! That is also great. I am hoping for only two-three more for Cole also. That means you could be done end of July with casting!!!! What is your next casting date?We arrived at Shriners at around 4 pm(Wed). We saw the family from Virginia, and I saw his waterproof cast! Cole is supposed to get that cast on also. I am also a little nervous about submerging him in water, but I guess if the docs say it's OK, then that's what we're going to do. Please let us know how bathes go and how the cast does after.As for Cole, well his cast is off. When we took it off, he had some pretty bad skin irritation around his waist and hips, so it was decided to let his skin heel, and come back in 6 days to get the waterproof cast put on at that time. I am excited/happy and also nervous/concerned to have his cast off for 6 days, but the doc said he didn't think it would make that much of a difference in the correction. I hope that's correct. His back looks great, and hopefully will look great in 6 days from now. If he is not done with casts by August, we are going to ask to have it off for another week for a planned beach vacation. Glad you made it home safely. Hopefully Ian will sleep peacefully tonight after his trial. What a trooper! and Cole Claflin <noellesmommy@...> wrote:

We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.

[Guest guest]

I havn't looked on the site for a long time and just saw this post.

I am so glad that the shriners are looking into the fiberglass.

Logan has had 2 of them and they are awsome!!! Don't worry about the

water. Just don't let them be emmerced (sp?) in for too long. I

think the special lining someone was talking about is gortex. That

is what Logan's was.

Logan has been out of a cast now for over 6 months but the curve

hasn't gotten too much worst I don't think. It's back to where is

was at the very beginning. but it's staying around there. Every time

we are scheduled at SLC for his cast he gets sick. He had a cold and

bronchitas & the secone time it was RSV!!! We are rescheduled for

April 30th now and I am going to wrap him him in plastic and not

take him anywhere so he won't get sick again. hehhehee JK

I hope every one is doing great and sorry I have not been keeping up

with every one any more.

Jen

-5

Logan-2

>

> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is

making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January,

he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!!

Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is

waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so

Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster

was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good

candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we

live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin!

It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am

scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not

always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not

go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast,

so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast.

got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up.

They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and

redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton

padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it

was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep

for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So,

supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go

into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do

baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is

upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains

out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we

want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we

can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the

beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be

in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell

me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much.

Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8

degrees in this one.

>

> Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I

need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

>

> BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this

week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they

try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on

the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian

were casted.

>

>

> Noelle (12-2-01)

> Ian (8-15-04)

>

[Guest guest]

Hi !

I haven't been online is sooo long I've fallen back from posts but

I'm just perusing through them right now & saw this one.. My

goodness, that is such great news!! That he's doing so well and you

got a fiberglass cast! Coincidental actually too b/c they (Dr.

& his assitant) received Sol's x-rays recently so we had the

consultation you know a couple weeks ago. Through everything we've

been through & heard about I basically concluded that that and IDEAL

cast for us as parents going through this & and for the kids who

have to cope day to day would be the MATERIAL she has now (which is

gortex liner & fiberglass cast... extrememly light & small & yes,

virtually waterproof.. especially w/the gortex liner because I have

her entire cast covered in waterproof tape & all around the edges

it's tucked underneath & attatched to the gortex liner so virtuatlly

none can get in) and the type/technique that the 2 Shriner's

locations are using/achieving w/the casting tables (which we don't

have here) So when we spoke a few weeks back I asked if it would be

an option to try on her & they said since they're trying many

different things to see what works best for them & the kids that

would be good & another thing to try!! That's great that they are! I

thought plaster was an important factor in correction though? I've

been told now by several Dr.'s that it's a matter of preference &

they achieve the same thing.. which is holding the curve in place.

So I'm so excited to have her next one done I can't even tell you.

There is horrible horrible skin break down between her potty area &

the leg that's casted, I've just been keeping it covered w/triple

antibiotic ointment but it's complete hell to change her... EVERY

SINGLE TIME.. it's horrible horrible. And her f/u w/the ortho here

said if he's the one that casts her next he'll have to put the leg

in again!!! CRAZY.. it absolutely cannot be done, i'm worried about

her going the next 4 wks even. I'm so glad there's another option,

even if we have to go to Erie to have it!! And it's mainly the

under the arm cast that we're going after there, and the fact

they'll be able to use the lighter waterproof material too I'm just

ecstatic!! So sorry to ramble here.. i can't even be online much

longer But i wanted to drop in on this subject, i can imagine how

much happier you are w/the cast b/c I know the difference in

lightness & thickness!

And ALSO, we'll be there the end of April/beginning of May.. May 1st

we're schedule to meet Dr. & have her consultatin (in person

rather than over the phone this time) and she'll have her cast

removed then too.. and we'll have her new one put on the 2nd. So

those are the dates!! I think we may fly in on Sat. b/c my husband

& other daughter are coming & her (3rd) birthday is on Sun. & we

don't want to be trucking around airports for it!! Anything to do

or see that free day in Erie?? Was figuring we'd find something fun

for her b-day... And we'll be able to have her party the following

weekend we are home w/out Sol's complete body cast! Just the

excruciating screaming & pain she's in EVERY single time I change

her, makes me tear up, so that's several times a day & I can't wait

for her to not have to go through it anymore.. anyway, congrats

again on your situation w/Ian.. i was stoked see it =) Take care..

-Joy

> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway,

he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In

January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15

degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast

that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like

that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the

plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a

good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because

we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo

thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and

now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea

pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this

cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net

under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the

cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally

> messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the

second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's

skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As

you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he

actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and

cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go

swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like

that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just

have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure

the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out

though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the

time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so

that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he

estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although,

he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get

> my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore

correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

>

> Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I

need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

>

> BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this

week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they

try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on

the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian

were casted.

>

>

> Noelle (12-2-01)

> Ian (8-15-04)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I think Logan and my daughter have/had the same ortho here in S.D.,

Newton.. Great Dr., love him to death but I just don't love

the amount of casting that needs to be used on an infant so I've

gotten into Shriner's too for their casting table options.. I hope

one workds out for you guys eventually once Logain is healthy again,

chances are it will progress eventually if it's not being held..

good luck to you guys!!

And yes it is Gortex liner, Shriner's in Erie told me they steered

away from it because of it's thickness being that plaster +

fiberglass on top is already so thick & bulky, plus the water

resistancy of it didn't matter much when being used with plaster

(thought I think it wouldn't matter if there were moleskin

connecting the fiberglass & gortex and then waterproof tape ontop of

that..) but anyway, using only fiberglass allows for more room for

padding underneath which is also what I like about it (the padding

aspect) it's cusioning, like basically one layer of the small bubble

bubble wrap only the bubbles are on the inside so there's no

crevaces... and too be honest, after getting this cast on initially

it's like she slept better, I chalked it up to the secure cusiony

wrapping you know.. but it also makes it easy to clean/wipe under

using diaper wipes or wash rag, powder dry, lotion, etc.. her skin

hasn't gotten irritated one bit aside from the lef & that's just

because she's growing & there's a cast there making it tighter &

tighter causing the skin break down.

But if anyone reading this opts to go/allow/is able to use the

fiberglass material @ Shriner's (like Cole is next I think I read

from Jen??) I would inquire on the Gortex liner AHEAD of time & see

if it's an option for them to use... it's really great & you'll see

why.

> >

> > We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he

is

> making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January,

> he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!!

> Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is

> waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that,

so

> Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the

plaster

> was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good

> candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we

> live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin!

> It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I

am

> scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is

not

> always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did

not

> go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the

cast,

> so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast.

> got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it

up.

> They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did

and

> redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton

> padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine,

it

> was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep

> for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out.

So,

> supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go

> into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do

> baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he

is

> upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains

> out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if

we

> want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting

we

> can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the

> beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be

> in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell

> me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too

much.

> Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8

> degrees in this one.

> >

> > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I

> need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

> >

> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this

> week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if

they

> try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on

> the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian

> were casted.

> >

> >

> > Noelle (12-2-01)

> > Ian (8-15-04)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

By the way, in response to this too.. So sorry to hear about the

little hardship you had to go through from being the first one w/the

lack of lining underneath, and thanks for adding that b/c now I can

make sure that doesn't happen when we go you know! I'm hoping we'll

be able to use the Gortex underneath, I'm still waiting to hear back

from Dr. Sander's on it and probably won't until next week. But by

the time her cast was trimmed down, it was just the gortex liner

sticking out of everywhere & we were able to trim that down to be

even enough w/the cast to where we could attatch & stretch the

petals from underneath & stretch over the top onto the fiberglass,

and then even lengthier water proof tape over that to cover all of

the moleskin.. maybe you can inquire on it for Ian next time too..

but at the same time I don't know if it might be too think to allow

maximum correction you know so I'll let you all know what I hear

back if you're interested.

>

> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is

making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January,

he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!!

Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is

waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so

Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster

was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good

candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we

live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin!

It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am

scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not

always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not

go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast,

so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast.

got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up.

They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and

redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton

padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it

was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep

for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So,

supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go

into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do

baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is

upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains

out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we

want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we

can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the

beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be

in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell

me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much.

Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8

degrees in this one.

>

> Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I

need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

>

> BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this

week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they

try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on

the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian

were casted.

>

>

> Noelle (12-2-01)

> Ian (8-15-04)

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there!

Well, I REALLY like the thinness of the cast. BUT, because of it having just the waterproof tape around the edges, we are having major issues with skin break down. We never had any breakdown at all with the other casts. If this is going to be a side effect of the fiberglass, then I am going to ask them to do a plaster one next time. Yes, I also thought plaster was better at holding the correction, so I am nervous about this and have been doubting agreeing to do this! I guess we will find out in May when he gets the cast off.

I don't know if they used gortex on the inside of this cast, so I just emailed Dr. K asking him. I just can't see how the stocking net will keep the cotton/felt padding from getting wet.

When is your appointment for Solana? I think you will be much happier without her having her leg casted. I bet she will be too!

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

Hi !I haven't been online is sooo long I've fallen back from posts but I'm just perusing through them right now & saw this one.. My goodness, that is such great news!! That he's doing so well and you got a fiberglass cast! Coincidental actually too b/c they (Dr. & his assitant) received Sol's x-rays recently so we had the consultation you know a couple weeks ago. Through everything we've been through & heard about I basically concluded that that and IDEAL cast for us as parents going through this & and for the kids who have to cope day to day would be the MATERIAL she has now (which is gortex liner & fiberglass cast... extrememly light & small & yes, virtually waterproof.. especially w/the gortex liner because I have her entire cast covered in waterproof tape & all around the edges it's tucked underneath & attatched to the gortex liner so virtuatlly none can get in) and the type/technique that the 2 Shriner's locations are using/achieving w/the casting tables (which we don't have here) So when we spoke a few weeks back I asked if it would be an option to try on her & they said since they're trying many different things to see what works best for them & the kids that would be good & another thing to try!! That's great that they are! I thought plaster was an important factor in correction though? I've been told now by several Dr.'s that it's a matter of preference & they achieve the same thing.. which is holding the curve in place. So I'm so excited to have her next one done I can't even tell you. There is horrible horrible skin break down between her potty area & the leg that's casted, I've just been keeping it covered w/triple antibiotic ointment but it's complete hell to change her... EVERY SINGLE TIME.. it's horrible horrible. And her f/u w/the ortho here said if he's the one that casts her next he'll have to put the leg in again!!! CRAZY.. it absolutely cannot be done, i'm worried about her going the next 4 wks even. I'm so glad there's another option, even if we have to go to Erie to have it!! And it's mainly the under the arm cast that we're going after there, and the fact they'll be able to use the lighter waterproof material too I'm just ecstatic!! So sorry to ramble here.. i can't even be online much longer But i wanted to drop in on this subject, i can imagine how much happier you are w/the cast b/c I know the difference in lightness & thickness!And ALSO, we'll be there the end of April/beginning of May.. May 1st we're schedule to meet Dr. & have her consultatin (in person rather than over the phone this time) and she'll have her cast removed then too.. and we'll have her new one put on the 2nd. So those are the dates!! I think we may fly in on Sat. b/c my husband & other daughter are coming & her (3rd) birthday is on Sun. & we don't want to be trucking around airports for it!! Anything to do or see that free day in Erie?? Was figuring we'd find something fun for her b-day... And we'll be able to have her party the following weekend we are home w/out Sol's complete body cast! Just the excruciating screaming & pain she's in EVERY single time I change her, makes me tear up, so that's several times a day & I can't wait for her to not have to go through it anymore.. anyway, congrats again on your situation w/Ian.. i was stoked see it =) Take care..-Joy > We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally> messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get> my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.> > > Noelle (12-2-01)> Ian (8-15-04)> > >

[Guest guest]

I think there is a learning curve for them because they didn't use moleskin at all! Ian is having major issues with skin breakdown as a result. I am going to mention this to Dr. K.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

By the way, in response to this too.. So sorry to hear about the little hardship you had to go through from being the first one w/the lack of lining underneath, and thanks for adding that b/c now I can make sure that doesn't happen when we go you know! I'm hoping we'll be able to use the Gortex underneath, I'm still waiting to hear back from Dr. Sander's on it and probably won't until next week. But by the time her cast was trimmed down, it was just the gortex liner sticking out of everywhere & we were able to trim that down to be even enough w/the cast to where we could attatch & stretch the petals from underneath & stretch over the top onto the fiberglass, and then even lengthier water proof tape over that to cover all of the moleskin.. maybe you can inquire on it for Ian next time too.. but at the same time I don't know if it might be too think to allow maximum correction you know so I'll let you all know what I hear back if you're interested. >> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.> > > Noelle (12-2-01)> Ian (8-15-04)>

[Guest guest]

Well, I have gone ahead and put the petals on two of the places that are rubbing him raw. I figure I can take them off and put new ones on when I get brave enough to put him in water. I think we'd still have issues even if they did moleskin and them waterproof tape over that because it is actually the tape that is scraping him. The waterproof tape just doesn't go on smooth enough....any slight wrinkle in the tape causes a sharp edge.

I think Ian's last cast was fiberglass too, but it was not nearly as thin as this one....less padding maybe? I thought maybe the last one was fiberglass and plaster...not sure though.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

Hi !I haven't been online is sooo long I've fallen back from posts but I'm just perusing through them right now & saw this one.. My goodness, that is such great news!! That he's doing so well and you got a fiberglass cast! Coincidental actually too b/c they (Dr. & his assitant) received Sol's x-rays recently so we had the consultation you know a couple weeks ago. Through everything we've been through & heard about I basically concluded that that and IDEAL cast for us as parents going through this & and for the kids who have to cope day to day would be the MATERIAL she has now (which is gortex liner & fiberglass cast... extrememly light & small & yes, virtually waterproof.. especially w/the gortex liner because I have her entire cast covered in waterproof tape & all around the edges it's tucked underneath & attatched to the gortex liner so virtuatlly none can get in) and the type/technique that the 2 Shriner's locations are using/achieving w/the casting tables (which we don't have here) So when we spoke a few weeks back I asked if it would be an option to try on her & they said since they're trying many different things to see what works best for them & the kids that would be good & another thing to try!! That's great that they are! I thought plaster was an important factor in correction though? I've been told now by several Dr.'s that it's a matter of preference & they achieve the same thing.. which is holding the curve in place. So I'm so excited to have her next one done I can't even tell you. There is horrible horrible skin break down between her potty area & the leg that's casted, I've just been keeping it covered w/triple antibiotic ointment but it's complete hell to change her... EVERY SINGLE TIME.. it's horrible horrible. And her f/u w/the ortho here said if he's the one that casts her next he'll have to put the leg in again!!! CRAZY.. it absolutely cannot be done, i'm worried about her going the next 4 wks even. I'm so glad there's another option, even if we have to go to Erie to have it!! And it's mainly the under the arm cast that we're going after there, and the fact they'll be able to use the lighter waterproof material too I'm just ecstatic!! So sorry to ramble here.. i can't even be online much longer But i wanted to drop in on this subject, i can imagine how much happier you are w/the cast b/c I know the difference in lightness & thickness!And ALSO, we'll be there the end of April/beginning of May.. May 1st we're schedule to meet Dr. & have her consultatin (in person rather than over the phone this time) and she'll have her cast removed then too.. and we'll have her new one put on the 2nd. So those are the dates!! I think we may fly in on Sat. b/c my husband & other daughter are coming & her (3rd) birthday is on Sun. & we don't want to be trucking around airports for it!! Anything to do or see that free day in Erie?? Was figuring we'd find something fun for her b-day... And we'll be able to have her party the following weekend we are home w/out Sol's complete body cast! Just the excruciating screaming & pain she's in EVERY single time I change her, makes me tear up, so that's several times a day & I can't wait for her to not have to go through it anymore.. anyway, congrats again on your situation w/Ian.. i was stoked see it =) Take care..-Joy > We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally> messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get> my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.> > > Noelle (12-2-01)> Ian (8-15-04)> > >

[Guest guest]

, there have been parts on Solana's cast where I've had to

replace the moleskin & yes w/out it there it's definitely sharp and

would probably cause irritation or break down... However it should

be there. The entire cast needs to be completely pedaled in every

area of an edge... And just a netting underneath?? That doesn't

sound too comfortable either like it might cause irritation from the

cast.

, that exactly what I've done on her cast, covered all of

the moleskin with waterproof tape... If you can picture it, every

edge has piece of moleskin attatched UNDERNEATH the cast TO the

Gortex liner/padding, it's pulled up and tightly/snuggly attached to

the fiberglass. After that a LONGER piece of water proof tape is

attatched underneath the cast TO the Gortex and OVER the moleskin

then pulled up and over to attach to the fiberglass. I have every

inch of the fiberglass cast covered in water proof tape which is all

attached to the gortex liner on the inside (w/out the moleskin

underneath it it would be too sharp, however the waterproof tape

doesn't bother or irritate her AT ALL, she doesn't have any visiible

skin breakdown at all & doesn't seem irritated at all... OTHER than

the leg part & it's definitely just because she's growing & it's too

tight, not to mention it's in her pptty/changing area so it's

exposed to that.. I'm concerned w/being able to wait that long.)

Having her covered in waterprrof tape makes it SO easy to clean her,

can just wipe her down you & not worry about anything sticking on

it. And also can sponge bathe her easily b/c again, she's virtually

waterproof. From my understanding fiberglass is more like, water

resistent, sponge bathing & splashing in water and such is okay but

not neccessarily soaking for long amounts of time. I sponge bath

her in the bath while she's standing since she can't sit too well.

I think as long as it's pedaled completely over every edge, there

shouldn't be an issue w/fiberglass vs. plaster.. the Dr.'s were to

say otherwise but I haven't hear one yet. I personally believe the

gortex liner & completely pedaled edges are key to a COMFORTABLE,

small, light, thin cast if it's done right should have no problem

w/breakdown... That's my input since Solan's in one now I

know too, and I think it's great aside from the way it had to

applied including her leg.

We'll be there @ Shriner's the 1st & 2nd of May!

> > We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway,

> he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In

> January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15

> degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast

> that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like

> that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since

the

> plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be

a

> good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because

> we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo

> thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and

> now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea

> pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this

> cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net

> under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of

the

> cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally

> > messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the

> second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's

> skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net.

As

> you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he

> actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and

> cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go

> swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like

> that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just

> have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make

sure

> the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out

> though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around

the

> time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week

so

> that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts

he

> estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!!

Although,

> he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get

> > my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get

anymore

> correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

> >

> > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I

> need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

> >

> > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts

this

> week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if

they

> try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on

> the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian

> were casted.

> >

> >

> > Noelle (12-2-01)

> > Ian (8-15-04)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Well, the netting might be gortex...not sure. There is a cotton/felt type of padding underneath the netting. The problem with putting the tape over the moleskin is that the tape would still irritate him. I have mole skin from our last cast, so I put that over the edges that are breaking the skin down. If it gets wet, I will just remove the moleskin and put new petals on later.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Re: Ian got a waterproof cast!

, there have been parts on Solana's cast where I've had to replace the moleskin & yes w/out it there it's definitely sharp and would probably cause irritation or break down... However it should be there. The entire cast needs to be completely pedaled in every area of an edge... And just a netting underneath?? That doesn't sound too comfortable either like it might cause irritation from the cast., that exactly what I've done on her cast, covered all of the moleskin with waterproof tape... If you can picture it, every edge has piece of moleskin attatched UNDERNEATH the cast TO the Gortex liner/padding, it's pulled up and tightly/snuggly attached to the fiberglass. After that a LONGER piece of water proof tape is attatched underneath the cast TO the Gortex and OVER the moleskin then pulled up and over to attach to the fiberglass. I have every inch of the fiberglass cast covered in water proof tape which is all attached to the gortex liner on the inside (w/out the moleskin underneath it it would be too sharp, however the waterproof tape doesn't bother or irritate her AT ALL, she doesn't have any visiible skin breakdown at all & doesn't seem irritated at all... OTHER than the leg part & it's definitely just because she's growing & it's too tight, not to mention it's in her pptty/changing area so it's exposed to that.. I'm concerned w/being able to wait that long.) Having her covered in waterprrof tape makes it SO easy to clean her, can just wipe her down you & not worry about anything sticking on it. And also can sponge bathe her easily b/c again, she's virtually waterproof. From my understanding fiberglass is more like, water resistent, sponge bathing & splashing in water and such is okay but not neccessarily soaking for long amounts of time. I sponge bath her in the bath while she's standing since she can't sit too well.I think as long as it's pedaled completely over every edge, there shouldn't be an issue w/fiberglass vs. plaster.. the Dr.'s were to say otherwise but I haven't hear one yet. I personally believe the gortex liner & completely pedaled edges are key to a COMFORTABLE, small, light, thin cast if it's done right should have no problem w/breakdown... That's my input since Solan's in one now I know too, and I think it's great aside from the way it had to applied including her leg.We'll be there @ Shriner's the 1st & 2nd of May! > > We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, > he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In > January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 > degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast > that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like > that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the > plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a > good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because > we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo > thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and > now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea > pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this > cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net > under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the > cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally> > messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the > second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's > skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As > you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he > actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and > cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go > swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like > that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just > have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure > the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out > though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the > time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so > that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he > estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, > he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get> > my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore > correction...he's 8 degrees in this one. > > > > Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I > need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.> > > > BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this > week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they > try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on > the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian > were casted.> > > > > > Noelle (12-2-01)> > Ian (8-15-04)> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Jenn,

That's great. Sounds like the curve continues to diminish, 15 degrees out of cast is awesome. I'm catching up on a lot of emails, I would like to see and hear how this new cast is going for you. Marissa gets her second cast on April 5th. This first one seemed to go OK as far as her adapting. One thing I noticed though is that the top is now loosening up. I can practically fit my hand down from the top. The bottom seems pretty tight however. Seeing its a lumbar curve, it may be OK.

Waterproof sounds great. Haven't figured out how that interacts with everything and the skin. All in all, it sounds like Ian is doing great and may not be long before it's corrected. Congrats to you guys on great results.

Jerry

Marissa's Dad

Ian got a waterproof cast!

We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

[Guest guest]

Hi Jerry,

I believe fiberglass does not stretch out like that as time goes,

her ortho here believes it's better for holding the curve in place-

for the amount of time it has to be on, which is why I'm wanting the

Shriner's in Erie to use it on her too, among the other benefits

such as the thickness (or lack there of), water resistancy, & the

weight (it being very light), just makes sense all the way around to

me if we can do a smaller, lighter, thin, water resistant cast for

these kids while still attaining maximum correction.. why wouldn't

we you know? I can also fit one finger anywhere into here cast so I

know it's not too tight (other than the leg which should not even be

an issue we're having to deal with as far as I'm concerned!)

Good to hear Marissa is doing good, we'll be at there the same week

as you guys, just a few days before. Ideally I'd like them to use

fiberglass w/the Gortex Liner which is what she has now, hopefully

that's an option & I can let you know how we like it before you go!

Take care,

Joy (my daughter is 18 mos. & has a left lumbar curve too..)

>

> Jenn,

> That's great. Sounds like the curve continues to diminish, 15

degrees out of cast is awesome. I'm catching up on a lot of emails,

I would like to see and hear how this new cast is going for you.

Marissa gets her second cast on April 5th. This first one seemed to

go OK as far as her adapting. One thing I noticed though is that

the top is now loosening up. I can practically fit my hand down

from the top. The bottom seems pretty tight however. Seeing its a

lumbar curve, it may be OK.

>

> Waterproof sounds great. Haven't figured out how that interacts

with everything and the skin. All in all, it sounds like Ian is

doing great and may not be long before it's corrected. Congrats to

you guys on great results.

> Jerry

> Marissa's Dad

> Ian got a waterproof cast!

>

>

> We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he

is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In

January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15

degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast

that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like

that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the

plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a

good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because

we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo

thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and

now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea

pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this

cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net

under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the

cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally

messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the

second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's

skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As

you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he

actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and

cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go

swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like

that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just

have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure

the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out

though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the

time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so

that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he

estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although,

he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my

hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore

correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

>

> Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I

need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

>

> BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this

week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they

try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on

the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian

were casted.

>

>

> Noelle (12-2-01)

> Ian (8-15-04)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jerry,

Ian's casts seemed to loosen up a bit as time went on, but it didn't seem to affect holding his correction at all. Hopefully it is the same for you.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Ian got a waterproof cast!

We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

[Guest guest]

Jerry,

Ian's casts seemed to loosen up a bit as time went on, but it didn't seem to affect holding his correction at all. Hopefully it is the same for you.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)

Ian got a waterproof cast!

We're back from Erie and boy was it a loooong trip. Anyway, he is making excellent progress and we couldn't be happier! In January, he was 26 degrees out of cast and yesterday he was 15 degrees!!! Yay!!! They also wanted to try out a fiberglass cast that is waterproof on Ian. It's the first one they have done like that, so Ian was the guinea pig. I hope I don't regret it since the plaster was working so well for him, but they thought he would be a good candidate to try since his curve is doing so well and because we live in a warmer area. Let me tell you, this cast is soooo thin! It hardly weighs anything. I also had them trim a lot, and now I am scared that I had her take too much off. Being a guinea pig is not always the best of situations however. Taping of this cast did not go well. They didn't use enough of the stocking net under the cast, so they had trouble tacking it to the outside of the cast. got called away and another nurse came in and totally messed it up. They had to pull all of the taping off that the second nurse did and redo it since the tape was sticking to Ian's skin and the cotton padding wasn't covered by the stocking net. As you can imagine, it was traumatic for Ian. By the end of it, he actually fell asleep for the final taping because he screamed and cried himself out. So, supposedly I can bathe him and let him go swimming. He can't go into a lake or ocean water or anything like that, but he can do baths and go into chlorinated pools. I just have to make sure he is upright for an hour afterwards to make sure the water all drains out. I am kind of nervous to try it out though! He also said if we want to coordinate a vacation around the time of his next casting we can get the cast taken off for a week so that he could enjoy the beach. I also asked how many more casts he estimated Ian would be in and he thought maybe only two!! Although, he was quick to tell me that this was just a guess and not to get my hopes up too much. Oh, and in this cast we didn't get anymore correction...he's 8 degrees in this one.

Sorry for being so longwinded! I do have some pictures, but I need to get some sleep and will post them tomorrow.

BTW, they are planning to try more of the fiberglass casts this week if the material come in, so I will be interested to see if they try it on Cole or not. I know they were planning on trying it on the other boy from Virginia that arrived the day that Jake and Ian were casted.

Noelle (12-2-01)Ian (8-15-04)