And it's off!

Luke got his cast off on March 16th- just 3 weeks after his fall. I started prepping Luke that the cast would be coming off early that week. At first he would always say, "No thank you". I think he remembered how much he hurt before his arm was secure in the cast. I worked with him and told him the doctor would take it off is his arm was all better. He started to come around to the idea!



A treat for my brave boy!

 Luke was SO good the entire time he had his cast on. Not once did he ask for the cast off, and we got good at bath with a bag on our arm. I was very nervous that Luke would be very scared when they used the loud "saw" to take the cast off. I had warned Luke it would be noisy, and he was SO BRAVE! I was so proud.
They sent Luke for x-rays to see how things were healing. Both doctors were very happy with how Luke's arm was healing and commented on how much growth there was (I could see what they were pointing too, but I have no idea what it actually was). They decided he was ready to stay out of his cast so he could begin getting his range of motion back. Luke was put in a cuff and collar.

Our friend Dan, a 5th year Ortho Resident, wished me "good luck" as we left. He knows Luke too well! The idea behind the cuff and collar is great- remind you that you just broke your arm, remind you to slow down, remind others that you were hurt. The trouble is our 3 1/2 year old felt fine! As soon as he realized this contraption could come off and on, it was all over. For a few days I insisted on him wearing it when he went outside. Many times Luke would just choose to stay inside instead. We were suppose to leave him out of the contraption when he wasn't being too active so he could get his range of motion back. After only 3 weeks, Luke could not completely straighten his left arm.

Luke became so good at getting out of the cuff and collar that I gave up. And honestly he looked more dangerous when he was playing with it on. For the first week I was very good and did not let him do anything high off the ground. Well, that has faded and we were just at a 3 story playscape today. And Dan was there shaking his head. I am keeping a better eye on Luke and not letting him take jumps from high up. I have decided that 3 weeks in a cast are a breeze- this 3 weeks of being "safe" with Luke are stressing me out! Luke is ALL boy and just wants to go, go, go! Only and week and a half to go- praying all the way :)