Ethan got his cast today. It was much bigger than we thought it would be. We missed the actual casting by a few minutes, but spoke with the doctor after. He said that he will get a new cast every week for 6-8 weeks and it goes up to Ethan's mid-thigh. We've been thinking that this casting would be the cure. We learned tonight that the Ponseti method also requires that he wear a brace when he sleeps at night. We came home and I looked up how the method works--made me a little sad to learn that it was a longer process. I did find out though that this may be a congenital defect. In discussing this with Doug, we think it may come from his side of the family.
Ethan is a mover. He is constantly moving around and putting his leg on top of his sister. This brace means he cannot move his legs independently. The first 3 months, the website says he will need to wear the brace 23 hours per day. Those hours will decrease for months after he begins wearing it and will eventually only wear it at night.
Sydney had quite a hard time when they took Ethan out of their bed to get his cast. Their nurse said that she immediately was pretty agitated. I was surprised because we take Ethan out for feedings before Sydney every time and she's never been upset. The nurse said that Sydney knows our smell and who we are but she didn't know the doctor. She also would've known something was going on.
Ethan got some "sweeties" (sugar water) and a little oxygen to help him while he got the cast. Although he didn't cry, he was a little startled by the ordeal. The sweeties act like morphine in premies, so he was pretty wiped out. Sydney was upset for nearly an hour after Ethan joined her. We spent some time trying to soothe her, but she just was determined to wake up Ethan...
Looking at this video, you may think that Sydney just has a lot of energy...but this is what a premie does when they are agitated or over-stimulated. They open their eyes really wide, usually have their fingers spread out and often will put their hands over or on their face.
4 comments:
Videos didn't work. Made me sad.
Miss you. . .
Heather, They are so precious!! I loved the videos ~ they made me cry. I can't wait to see them in person. Know that we love and miss you!
I have loved following your story and getting to know the sweetness of those siblings! The videos are really cute! We are praying for your sweet little family and hope all is well.
Marcee Monroe Ludlow
they are so cute! i love sydney's little pink onesie. i had the same one for macey when she was tiny (not that tiny).
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