Coen : Cast 2.0

Just back from the hospital today, so I'm going to make this easy and post Tauni's email to family along with some pictures. (Jayd)
__________________________________________

(Tauni:)

Well, I learned a pretty powerful lesson today. Be careful what you complain about because it can always get worse. Today, I think it just got a little bit worse for Coen. Not in the pain department (he is actually feeling much better which is awesome) but in the cast department. I have complained the last few weeks about his cast and how hard it was for me to change his diaper and clean it (it started to have a smell of its own lately) but now I would take that cast back in a heart beat. Today, they put Coen in a "broomstick cast" which will allow him to move his hip slightly in a very controlled way without it dislocating or slipping back into the hole left when they removed the tumor. They want him to start moving that hip for 2 reasons. One, his femoral head is larger on that side and needs to start moving so it doesn't continue to grow too big (leading to a hip replacement). Second, because the hip will get very tight and stiff (with scar tissue) due to the double surgery if he doesn't start moving it. So, I understand why this needs to be done but that doesn't make it any easier.

This new cast will allow him to sit eventually (he is far to stiff and sore to be able to do that now) but it takes away his ability to move very well. The feet are in the cast so he can't use them to help push himself around. The legs are so spread that he can't really turn over from his back to his tummy like he did in the other one and because both legs are braced, he can't even walk along furniture or pull himself into a standing position.

In true Coen fashion, he will figure something out; however, this is going to be really tough for him. He needs to wear this for at least 4 weeks.

The good news is that his bone is growing back in the pelvis (where they took out the tumor) and his doctor feels like the threat of a bone graph is off the table. That is AWESOME!!!

Well, it is late and after about 10 hours in the hospital today (he was put under for the MRI and a full body bone scan as well as for the cast change) and I am fried! Just wanted to send out an update.

Tauni

__________________________________________

Here are some pictures of the new cast (and the bar keeping his legs spread is no less intimidating in person):

Jayd's comments:

All in all, positive day. The bone is growing back in, which was the main concern. This should help him avert another major surgery any time soon.

Keys now:
1 - Bone continues to grow back in.
2 - Left femoral head stabilizes / growth slows so that it does not outgrow the left hip socket. Reduced inflammation in the region will help with this. This is key to avoiding an eventual hip replacement.
3 - Leg muscles on left-side continue to stretch with the cast.

After this cast, it will be physical therapy and monitoring. No other major procedures planned right now.