On the Mend

Today was Nathan's follow-up appointment with the pediatric orthopedist.  After 3 weeks in the full leg cast, we were all excited for Nathan to go get it off!

Ready to head to Macon this morning to get the big cast off!

Signatures from Mom, Dad, Laura and his favorite 3 ladies at the library.

Nathan was a little nervous about the saw they use to take the cast off, but he was very brave.  He hated the noise it made, so he covered his ears, but otherwise he sat very still and let the nice lady do her job.  It was so nice to see his little leg again!!  He even got to keep the top half of the cast that had the signatures on it.  Next, it was off to X-ray, and then on to wait for Dr. Lincoln to come in.  When he came in and looked at the X-ray, the news was good: the bone has healed well!  Dr. Lincoln really wanted to see him stand and put some weight on the leg, but Nathan was having none of that!  He was very nervous that it would hurt, and the doctor said this kind of post-fracture apprehension is very normal for kids his age.  He recommended a small, removable walking cast that we can use, as needed, for the next few days (or less) until Nathan is up to trying to walk on his own.  We are hoping that his confidence will grow quickly and that he'll be up and running very, very soon.

Because Nathan has been such a rock star about this whole broken bone ordeal, I treated him to lunch out today.  His choice: Arby's!

Roast beef, curly fries and juice.  Yum!

We spent a little time this afternoon with the cast off working on moving his stiff ankle a little more.  We are also trying to encourage him to put some weight on the walking boot when he stands at the sink to wash his hands.  Tonight, for the first time in almost a month, Nathan had the luxury of going to bed with no cast on.  We will use the boot tomorrow as much or as little as we need to.  I'm sure the walking and running aren't too far off.  Stay tuned!

"I like my new boot!!  I will be up and running in no time!!"

Gina