Today we were back in London to follow-up with Cailyn’s orthopaedic surgeon. The first part of the process was getting her cast cut so she could get her foot x-rayed without the cast on. Based on Cailyn’s reactions 3 weeks ago and today, it is a process that is very ticklish 🙂 !! It’s quite amazing that a blade can be created that cuts through the solid cast using friction and doesn’t cut through skin.
While we were waiting for x-rays, a dear friend who works with, and for, Childcan, tracked us down to check in with us. Renee is an amazing spirit and she works for an organization that actively steps in to support families like ours along many dimensions, from creating events where families can have fun together to paying for hospital parking. To feel that someone understands your load and is trying to help you with it, most definitely lightens it!
After the x-rays, we headed back to the waiting room… the tape around the two halves of the cast were looser and Cailyn quickly realized that, without the snug support, she felt less sure of her steps. When we were finally called to make our way to the examination room, the long walk to the last room in the hallway sealed her understanding that she had made a big step backward in her mobility.
We reviewed the x-ray with both a student doctor and Cailyn’s surgeon… the surgeon was pleased with the straightness of her foot in the x-ray. The amount of swelling complicates the picture but it’s certainly the straightest it has been in years!!
The doctor reinforced that Cailyn is going to need a foot brace for immediate support… her goal is to eliminate her need for it with therapy. What I didn’t appreciate until today was that Cailyn will need to use her crutches with her brace for as many as 18 weeks, slowly increasing the amount of weight she bears when she walks.
When we left, Cailyn was noticeably discouraged… she went from dancing at her school’s Athletic Banquet last night to relying either entirely or heavily on her crutches. She appreciated in the moment that she wouldn’t have been able to enjoy her banquet as much if it was scheduled after today.
After booking her next follow-up, I found my Mom and Cailyn sitting down, resting and waiting for me. I crouched down in front of her and I told her “I appreciate that the amount of stamina and determination that you’re going to require seems overwhelming right now. I need you to know that you absolutely have both the necessary stamina and determination to make it happen.” She got herself up and slowly worked her way down the next long hallway.
I have reminded Cailyn, at least a dozen times in the last few weeks, of the famous saying that the longest journey begins with one step. Well, she has a very long hallway ahead of her… she’ll need to acknowledge her accomplishments along the way!!