April 3, 2015 "Last set of casts!!!"

Rayden had 4 appointments this week!

1-Cast #11
When they remove Rayden's casts we always drape the sheet over his face to protect him from the plaster pieces. He is fine as long as he has ducky.
Although he was fine with the removal part, he actually threw a fit with the recasting this time. I think he is becoming more aware that the casts limit his mobility in his knees. He doesn't like it when Dr. Narotam makes him keep his knee bent and still until the plaster hardens. This makes us think that he has more feeling than they originally believed. He is so strong! I'll be glad when he is free from these casts! Dr. Narotam stated that his mobility is wonderful and he does not believe that he will need additional surgery on his left foot at this time! Praise God! He stated that clubbed foot tends to return later in life so he may need to be recasted or have additional surgery in the future but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. For now we are thankful that he will soon come out of these casts!

2-Neurosurgery
We take the trolly bus over to the hospital when we have multiple
appointments in one day. This prevents us from paying for parking two times. Melody Watral, Dr. Elton's nurse, adjusted Rayden's shunt to 1.5. Now it will not drain as fast and hopefully the sunken in part of his head will not be so noticeable. His head circumference has decreased to 42 cm.

3-Pediatrician
Rayden weighs 12 lbs. 8 oz. with the casts. He has started 'talking' this past week. When Dr. Chiodo picked Rayden up to examine him he started talking to her. She was amazed at how alert and aware he has become. He is meeting and exceeding all expectations!

4-Casts #12
My sister and niece, Patsy and Pamela Lee, went with us to the orthopaedics office this time. Rayden received his last set of casts!!!! While Rayden had both casts off at one time and we seemed to have a few minutes, I tried to see how much feeling he had in his feet and legs. They originally said he did not have any feeling from the knee down. I started pressing my fingernails in him to see when he would jump. I started at his feet and worked my way up. Just as I passed his ankles he jerked his legs away!! That's not knee down paralysis! That's only ankle down paralysis! My God is AWESOME!!! I can't help but believe that it will only get better with more time! Below is a video of Rayden's feeling in his feet/legs.