May 4-7, 2016 "Casting #16"

May 4

Bravery--a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear.

Although Rayden is now on cast #16, he has not had a cast removed since he was 6 mo. old. (casts 1-14 were from ages 2-6 mo.) We just knew he would be terrified of the loud saw. Yes, Rayden was afraid but he DID NOT CRY!! He just sat there shivering, clinging to his paci. He is the absolute picture of bravery!!! How does a 16 mo. old child know how to be brave? He acted as if he knew this had to be done and he just had to fight back his fear. He amazes me every single day! The entire time Dr. Narotam was putting on his new casts Rayden just layed back on the pillow as if there were nothing going on. He laughed, talked, and played. Think about it...You lie back. People are holding you down, keeping you still. When they finally do allow you to sit up you have a hard, rock shell on your legs. Casting a baby is so traumatic. But Rayden took it like a grown man!!! I wish I had half his courage.

May 6

Rayden received these cool camouflage casts on Wednesday, May 4th. By Friday evening I noticed that his toes had almost disappeared. This means his casts have slipped and can cause major problems. The cast is now causing more harm than good. I knew they had to be removed as soon as possible. I was amazed that his nurse actually answered the phone at 4:45 when I called. She stated that we needed to go to the ER at UNC to get the casts cut off. Realizing this would be a horrific evening, I thought of my friend, Elizabeth Bass Daughtry. She is a podiatrist here in town. She immediately agreed to cut off Rayden's casts for us. This saved us a long drive (3 hrs. round trip) and agonizing wait in the ER that could have been all night!! I know God had his hand in this and I'm so thankful Elizabeth was there and willing to stay late on a Friday evening for us.

When the casts were removed we immediately noticed that he had two blisters on the left foot (front and back) and one starting on the right foot. Water actually gushed out of them. I'm so glad we got the casts removed. Now he has all weekend to heal before going back to UNC Monday to get re-casted.

May 7

He sure had a good time this weekend with the casts off. In this short video clip you can see him 'walking' on his knees and 'talking' about something! ADORABLE!!!