Getting Anxious By the Minute

We are down to the final week of cast #4, and I can’t even begin to describe just how happy and relieved we are. I wish I could say that things got better, but they did not. This cast is officially going in the books as being the WORST so far. At this point, I don’t even care if Avery has to continue casting or transition to a brace. The only thing that matters to me is getting him out of the one he is in now.

Within these last few weeks the cast caused sores on his hips that were so bad he now cries every time I have to change his diaper. I don’t even want to think about how bad the bruises are underneath on the areas we can’t see, which I think is also causing him to hate diaper changes right now. It just breaks my heart. Thankfully, I met some wonderful parents in the scoliosis group who were so kind and sent us some extra padding and medicated creams to help heal the sores. They have not completely healed, but they definitely look so much better. So, if you are one of those parents who helped us out, I just want to say thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, and we hope there is some way we can repay you. 

Then there is the awful odor. Lord help us. The odor... At some point in the last couple of months, Avery became what I call a “pee monster”. I have no idea where it is all coming from, but in the middle of the night he pees SO MUCH that it soaks right through everything he has on. Diapers, pants, shirts, undershirts. No matter what I try, and believe me I have tried just about everything, nothing stops the leaks. So, of course, where there are leaks, there are urine soaked casts. Gross, I know. Welcome to my world. 

Now remember, we can’t remove the cast. And it can’t get wet. That means no bath, and no way to clean the cast.... Well, then I head on over to the support group, and try all of their suggestions to get rid of the smell, until I finally realize and accept that it’s just too far gone at this point. So, we cover it with more duct tape! Duct tape fixes everything, right?? Haha! No. Not in this case. My child is now the smelly kid in the neighborhood. I do my best to mask it with scented baby lotion, and dryer sheets, but there is just no hope. As soon as this cast is removed he is going to be soaked in a long bath, and the inside of the cast, because we have been saving them for an end of journey project I’ve been planning, is going to get Febreezed. 

The big reason we are getting so anxious, though, isn’t so much because these last two months have been a nightmare, but mainly because Avery will be getting his one year x-ray after the cast removal. When Avery started this journey he had a 34 degree curve. There have been no other x-rays done since then, so we can’t wait to find out how much progress has been made. I’m excited, but nervous. The naked eye can be a bit deceiving, and we did have that extended break that we were not expecting. George and I have a good feeling about it, though. Still, we are just hoping for the best! 

Thank you to all who continue to follow along on Avery’s journey. It is greatly appreciated. And please, don’t forget that there are still a couple more weeks left of Scoliosis Awareness Month. Show your support for Avery and all of the other amazing scoli warriors by wearing green! #GoGreenForScoliosis!! Much love to you all 😊