Let the Healing Begin

We have been back to the orthopedic surgeon twice now. We went on Monday to have it x-rayed by the orthopedic doctor and have the hard cast put on. We did this, put after looking at the x-ray, the doctor decided that he needed to do a "closed reduction", which basically means setting (or pushing) the bone over a few degrees. He felt like the two pieces of bone were about eight degrees off. Although, he said that because her bones are young and still growing that they would probably compensate and adjust on their own without any future problems. Or he could push them a little, which would give them better alignment and ultimately a better healing process. We went back today to have this done. He measured and drew on her cast, then cut a small wedge out of the cast so that he could access the bone. He quickly moved the bone, and re-casted it. After having another x-ray done, it looks much better aligned. We go back again next week to have it x-rayed.

They were able to give Savannah a local anesthetic, which involved two injections that she did not enjoy! This was supposed to help the pain, but also make her a little drowsy. Instead, it made her a little hyper! She was wide awake. It obviously helped with the pain because she had more of a reaction to the injections then she did the doctor pushing on her leg. To help keep her distracted she had been playing with my phone. While the doctor was holding her new (wet) cast in place she turned the phone onto the camera and told him to say "cheese"....he was a good sport and was laughing with her and told her to go ahead and take as many pictures as she wanted. Thank goodness we have been able to find good doctors while in Dubai!

Unfortunately, the estimated time in the cast has gone from 3-4 weeks to 6-8. I still have my fingers crossed that over the next few weeks and with a few more x-rays, the time will move back down...especially since Savannah and I leave for St. Louis (by ourselves) in five weeks!