Re: Emma's First Cast Date

February 10, 2010

,Please feel free to call me at or my cell . There is supposed to be info on casting day and what's needed at home on the ISOP web page. Diapering was my only issue after she was casted. I was freaking in the hotel room until I got in touch with another CAST mom who told me what she did. You need to diaper over the cast and then take it and tuck it under the cast. I use a poise pad at the top in the back (horizontally) to stop any leaks from going up the back of the cast and it has helped many a time. I used to be the same way with clothes but it's all about comfort now. I wear anything with an elastic waist... sweats & leggings and in the summer, elastic waisted shorts which

we do bring up over the cast. We did not go up a size in pants but we had to go up a size in shirts (bulk from cast), sometimes 2 sizes if the shirt runs small. I will tell you that I've pretty much had only a positive experience. I knew exactly what to expect from everything I read in the posts and although the initial shock at seeing her in the cast was hard, everything went well. Within a couple hours of being casted, she was pretty much back to normal. She had a hard time for a day or two picking things up but then figured it out and was ok. She tends to have more energy than my boys and runs around all day. On Halloween, she walked the entire 2 hours and still wanted to keep going. I know it is harder on the younger kids, but you should be ok since she is 2 already. I never used a bean bag chair although others say they work. Isabella can sit straight up on the floor but it's hard and she will usually lean

back if on the floor. She tends to only sit if she is on the furniture and will get on her knees when on the floor. I hope I answered some of your questions but like I said, feel free to call me. Patty, mom of Isabella, 2 years old, in 4th cast (Rochester) & mom to & EvanTo: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 9:20:50 PMSubject: Emma's First

Cast Date

Hi, I'm not sure if you remember me posting my 2 year old's daughter's story a few months ago (told to wait and see, that she will grow out of it and that they don't serial cast in Canada....)Her curve progressed quite a bit and I found out that they cast at Sick Kids Toronto so we were seen quickly and have our first casting date set for Feb. 17th. I've known about this date for a while but was hesitant to post as I knew that it would make it too real for me. Well now it's a week away and I'm anxious, sad, scared, curious..... . I just hope and pray that 1. she will adjust and be comfortable and that 2. we get good correction. My daughter is a monkey and loves to climb and jump and dance. She rarely sits still. I could really use the following:

1. positive thoughts and support

2. input on what to bring to the hospital (we will be staying in overnight even though we are only 30 minutes away but that is their policy)

3. input on what to have on hand at home. I'm a bit of a clothes horse for Emma and love dressing her in the trendiest outfits. How will her sizing change? (She is a Gap 2 bottom right now and 3 on top). I buy most of her clothes at the Gap and they aren't the roomiest clothes. What clothes are the most comfortable. Are jeans going to be a thing of the past? (I really hope that I don't sound superficial here - it just gets my mind off of things to buy and plan ahead). Are leggings the best bet? Do they only go up to the bottom of the cast or do you stretch them up and over the cast?

4. What kind of pajamas are the best to use?

5. Diapers - she wears a size five right now, but could fit a four as well. What size would be the best for her to wear after the cast? Will the hospital teach me how to diaper?

6. Car seat - I've heard a few of you mention getting new car seats to accomodate. Will a Britax Marathon work?

7. Sitting - I've also heard a lot of talk about a bean bag chair. Why so? Is sitting difficult?

Sorry for so many questions and I know that I will have more in the next few days. I'd appreciate any response. I'd also love to chat to someone on the phone about this.

I guess that's it for now - did I mention how nervous I am and that if I think about it for more than a minute I cry my eyes out???

Looking forward to hearing some great advice and words of encouragement,

February 10, 2010

My daughter, , is 3 and got her first cast about a month ago. We all did

better adjusting than I thought we would! The first couple hours weren't the

best (she cried and said she wanted " This white thing off. " ), but after the

first day, she was pretty much acting like it wasn't even there. We got her a

special balloon in the hospital gift shop on the way out and that made her feel

better.

has 4 brothers and has NO problem keeping up with them! She's SUPER

active. Really, there is nothing she can't/doesn't do. She complained about the

cast only the first day and now the only time she's a little sad is when her

brothers get to take a bath.

As for clothes, I've found that her jeans and some other pants are cut a little

too low to stay up, so we've found what works best for us is overalls and

stretchy pants with higher waists (for her, if the pants can't stay up over the

cast, they pretty much fall down). 's cast does not go over her shoulders,

so maybe that's why we didn't really have to go up a size in clothes, although

her 3T's that were starting to get too small anyway are pretty much out of the

question now. She just wears whatever PJ's she was before...mostly the footed

ones.

is tall for her age and I think her cast straightened her out a little so

she is even taller. I measured her a couple weeks ago and she is now 35.5 " so

she'll have to be in a booster very soon. Without the shoulder straps, it's not

a huge issue with the car seat.

We did buy her a beanbag chair the first day, but she really didn't need

it...her brothers seemed to like it more than her (she just wanted to hold onto

her new balloon!). Now, of course, it's a " toy " in our living room! Like I said,

she sits and does everything she did before. Sometimes she might get a little

stuck trying to get up from laying down or something, but it's super rare.

I was anxious before the casting, too, but really, I was very surprised at how

well she did and how quickly she adjusted to it. I think you'll do great! : )

Sorry this is so long...

~

Mom to (there's pics of her and her cast in her photo album on here)

February 10, 2010

My daughter, , is 3 and got her first cast about a month ago. We all did

better adjusting than I thought we would! The first couple hours weren't the

best (she cried and said she wanted " This white thing off. " ), but after the

first day, she was pretty much acting like it wasn't even there. We got her a

special balloon in the hospital gift shop on the way out and that made her feel

better.

has 4 brothers and has NO problem keeping up with them! She's SUPER

active. Really, there is nothing she can't/doesn't do. She complained about the

cast only the first day and now the only time she's a little sad is when her

brothers get to take a bath.

As for clothes, I've found that her jeans and some other pants are cut a little

too low to stay up, so we've found what works best for us is overalls and

stretchy pants with higher waists (for her, if the pants can't stay up over the

cast, they pretty much fall down). 's cast does not go over her shoulders,

so maybe that's why we didn't really have to go up a size in clothes, although

her 3T's that were starting to get too small anyway are pretty much out of the

question now. She just wears whatever PJ's she was before...mostly the footed

ones.

is tall for her age and I think her cast straightened her out a little so

she is even taller. I measured her a couple weeks ago and she is now 35.5 " so

she'll have to be in a booster very soon. Without the shoulder straps, it's not

a huge issue with the car seat.

We did buy her a beanbag chair the first day, but she really didn't need

it...her brothers seemed to like it more than her (she just wanted to hold onto

her new balloon!). Now, of course, it's a " toy " in our living room! Like I said,

she sits and does everything she did before. Sometimes she might get a little

stuck trying to get up from laying down or something, but it's super rare.

I was anxious before the casting, too, but really, I was very surprised at how

well she did and how quickly she adjusted to it. I think you'll do great! : )

Sorry this is so long...

~

Mom to (there's pics of her and her cast in her photo album on here)

February 10, 2010

My daughter, , is 3 and got her first cast about a month ago. We all did

better adjusting than I thought we would! The first couple hours weren't the

best (she cried and said she wanted " This white thing off. " ), but after the

first day, she was pretty much acting like it wasn't even there. We got her a

special balloon in the hospital gift shop on the way out and that made her feel

better.

has 4 brothers and has NO problem keeping up with them! She's SUPER

active. Really, there is nothing she can't/doesn't do. She complained about the

cast only the first day and now the only time she's a little sad is when her

brothers get to take a bath.

As for clothes, I've found that her jeans and some other pants are cut a little

too low to stay up, so we've found what works best for us is overalls and

stretchy pants with higher waists (for her, if the pants can't stay up over the

cast, they pretty much fall down). 's cast does not go over her shoulders,

so maybe that's why we didn't really have to go up a size in clothes, although

her 3T's that were starting to get too small anyway are pretty much out of the

question now. She just wears whatever PJ's she was before...mostly the footed

ones.

is tall for her age and I think her cast straightened her out a little so

she is even taller. I measured her a couple weeks ago and she is now 35.5 " so

she'll have to be in a booster very soon. Without the shoulder straps, it's not

a huge issue with the car seat.

We did buy her a beanbag chair the first day, but she really didn't need

it...her brothers seemed to like it more than her (she just wanted to hold onto

her new balloon!). Now, of course, it's a " toy " in our living room! Like I said,

she sits and does everything she did before. Sometimes she might get a little

stuck trying to get up from laying down or something, but it's super rare.

I was anxious before the casting, too, but really, I was very surprised at how

well she did and how quickly she adjusted to it. I think you'll do great! : )

Sorry this is so long...

~

Mom to (there's pics of her and her cast in her photo album on here)

February 10, 2010

, see below *hugs*! JaneTo: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:20:50 PMSubject: Emma's First Cast Date

Hi, I'm not sure if you remember me posting my 2 year old's daughter's story a few months ago (told to wait and see, that she will grow out of it and that they don't serial cast in Canada....)Her curve progressed quite a bit and I found out that they cast at Sick Kids Toronto so we were seen quickly and have our first casting date set for Feb. 17th. I've known about this date for a while but was hesitant to post as I knew that it would make it too real for me. Well now it's a week away and I'm anxious, sad, scared, curious..... . I just hope and pray that 1. she will adjust and be comfortable and that 2. we get good correction. My daughter is a monkey and loves to climb and jump and dance. She rarely sits still. I could really use the following:

1. positive thoughts and supportLots of HUGS your way! You will soon be a pro, like the rest of us and this will all seem almost silly.

2. input on what to bring to the hospital (we will be staying in overnight even though we are only 30 minutes away but that is their policy)Special blanket, stuffed animal, dvd's, laptop computer (entertainment for you when she's sleeping!)

3. input on what to have on hand at home. I'm a bit of a clothes horse for Emma and love dressing her in the trendiest outfits. How will her sizing change? (She is a Gap 2 bottom right now and 3 on top). I buy most of her clothes at the Gap and they aren't the roomiest clothes. What clothes are the most comfortable. Are jeans going to be a thing of the past? (I really hope that I don't sound superficial here - it just gets my mind off of things to buy and plan ahead). Are leggings the best bet? Do they only go up to the bottom of the cast or do you stretch them up and over the cast?Sadly, Denim is a thing of the past until you are done with casting. I like to shop at Children's Place for Grace as most of their clothes are stretchy and is fashionable But yes, leggings I find are the easiest by far. Grace started in 2T/3T before casting and in cast she is a 4T in most

things. The "babydoll" style tops seem to work best and are roomy over the cast. Most ppl don't even know she's wearing one. Dresses (non-stretchy type) I actually had to buy a size 5 to have it be able to fasten over the cast.

4. What kind of pajamas are the best to use?Here comes the word again...STRETCHY! and two piece. Jammies that have buttons don't usually have any give. Save a bit of money and got to Walmart. They have all the princesses, etc. for about $10/pair.

5. Diapers - she wears a size five right now, but could fit a four as well. What size would be the best for her to wear after the cast? Will the hospital teach me how to diaper?Couldn't tell you if your hospital will show you or not. I highly suggest going to pull ups. They have been my life saver and are EASY. I just bend over the top inward and we have only had 3 poo accidents in 2 casts.

6. Car seat - I've heard a few of you mention getting new car seats to accomodate. Will a Britax Marathon work?I didn't get a new one. We have a basic Graco and it worked just fine until she started wearing a thick coat during winter. Instead of using the straps we just have been using the seatbelt over the carseat.

7. Sitting - I've also heard a lot of talk about a bean bag chair. Why so? Is sitting difficult?Because the cast goes so far down on their hips. I bought one but Grace never used it. She preferred to "lean" on some pillows on the couch. I'd wait and see how she does. Grace also prefers to sit on her knees on a chair at the dining room table to eat because her highchair is slightly tipped and she couldn't lean forward to eat.

Sorry for so many questions and I know that I will have more in the next few days. I'd appreciate any response. I'd also love to chat to someone on the phone about this.

I guess that's it for now - did I mention how nervous I am and that if I think about it for more than a minute I cry my eyes out???

Looking forward to hearing some great advice and words of encouragement,

February 10, 2010