Re: Over the shoulder cast - UGH!!

[Guest guest]

Jen,

Have you seen Bexon's pics on Facebook? I'm under Heidi Ferrer- the blonde one with the little boy. His shoulder straps are lower than some, but I think that is a learning curve for the docs...or it may just be based on where the different curves are. Hang in. ; ) Heidi, Bexon's Mama, (2 years old, in 4th cast from Salt Lake City Shriners, currently down from 61 degrees to 21)

To: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Sat, November 7, 2009 6:26:17 PMSubject: Re: Over the shoulder cast - UGH!!

Thanks for the reply, Heidi. I think I will go back to whole milk for Bryce - he is on 2%. It's funny you said "chin up".....that' s what I keep telling Bryce He walks around with his head down because he's not used to the straps. They seem high to me, but I don't have anything else to compare them to. I looked at the pictures on the site, but it's hard to tell how the other casts "fit."

As far as the numbers, I don't have all the specifics. I haven't jotted them done the last few times. I do know he is at about 35 degrees laying down and started at about 48 degrees laying down - and this is cast #5.

I'm sure we'll all get used to the different cast just like we did when he was first casted....just a learning process. Take care,Jen

Pickerington, OhioMommy to Bryce, 22 monthsIn cast # 5 - casting at Rochester

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comSent: Fri, November 6, 2009 10:32:54 PMSubject: Re: [infantile_scoliosi s] Over the shoulder cast - UGH!!

Hi Jen,

We've only done over the shoulder casts. It's my understanding that Mehta prefers over the shoulder for certain types of curves, I think above T-8 or T-9? Hope I got that right...

Do you know your numbers in the last few casts? If Bryce is not getting worse, then the casts are at least keeping the curve from progressing- in progressive children, that is still a "win", because without the cast...you get the picture. Still, I would be frustrated with no correction.

We just bathe with Bex lying on the kitchen counter, "spa style"...with a plastic bib and a towel over his front, under his back, and a rolled up towel under his neck. We use a cup to rinse, and towel dry before sitting him up.

Bex is really skinny, too, but he eats a lot (small amounts all day) and is growing. He is probably not over 25 pounds out of cast. One of the nurses said to us that "All of the Scoli kids are skinny". I don't think that's true, but I know Bex is skinny, but healthy. Do you do dairy? Use full fat!

Chin up, hang in there! Heidi, Bexon's Mama, (2 years old, in 4th cast from Salt Lake City Shriners, currently down from 61 degrees to 21)

From: Jen Dupler <jen_dupleryahoo (DOT) com>To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comSent: Fri, November 6, 2009 6:53:34 PMSubject: [infantile_scoliosi s] Over the shoulder cast - UGH!!

Hi everyone - it has been quite a while since I have posted....although I do get in my email as often as I can and read messages and updates.

Anyway, I need encouragement, hope, ideas....all of the above and more. We just got back from Bryce getting his 5th cast put on and he is not correcting as we all had hoped. I really went into the process with an open-mind... .or at least I thought I did.....but I really thought he would be further along than he is...especially since we had started casting so early on (13 months). The doctor said one of Bryce's curves is high up on his back so he thinks that may be hindering his progress.... .so Bryce came home with an over-the-shoulder cast. UGH!!!! The doctor we go to hasn't done many of these (at least according to one of the techs that helps with the casting) so we are all just rolling with it right now to see if it does the trick. So...I have a few questions.

Bathing - How do you wash hair with an over-the-shoulder cast? We had such a good routine down pat and now I need to learn to re-do everyday things. Keep in mind, Bryce's shoulder straps seem to be really high...the tops touch the bottom of his ears.

Has anyone had success starting in an under-the-arm cast and then switching to an over-the-shoulder and seeing an improvement in correction?

Do you think we should stick with our doc (who we love) or go to a doc more experienced in the over-the-shoulder casts?

Bryce is not gaining weight - he has been about the same weight for a long time (he is 22 months and weighs 25 lbs). Is anyone supplementing milk with anything to help with growth....like a scoop of formula or instant breakfast mix??? Take care,Jen

Pickerington, OhioMommy to Bryce, 22 monthsIn cast # 5 - casting at Rochester