Best Christmas Present

The night of the 23rd December Matt could hardly sleep as the itchiness of his cast was bothering him so much. So intense was his scratching it looked like he was trying to scrape his skin out from under his skin. His normal cry was replaced by a panicky scream alternating with a miserable whimper. It was heart breaking. Finally exhaustion and the effects of a light sedative released him from the suffering into a kind sleep. The next morning we managed to squeeze him into the surgeon's schedule. It was decided that the benefits of keeping the cast on were not outweighing the suffering it inflicted.

What a joyous Christmas present - to be completely cast free!!!!!

Matt was blessed with a number of presents from various family members and friends. However one stood out from the rest. My dad had made him a cricket set - with bat, ball and cricket stumps. Matt immediately grabbed the stumps and transformed them into drum sticks. These "drum sticks" are his absolute favourite - taking them with him everywhere drumming to every tune he hears. In addition to drumming on the floor, chairs, upturned buckets, and tin cans; and he is a pretty good air-drummer.

This year Matt really understood a lot more about the Christmas celebration. He certainly was the most excited we've seen him about unwrapping his presents. On Christmas eve he came to us signing house and saying "ouse ouse??" with a definite question tone. He was referring to the nativity scene my parents have in their home. Matt was genuinely curious and listened as we shared with him our beliefs around Jesus birth. It was special to be able to share with him our faith. And I was particularly delighted that he asked a question about something. Often I see my friends kids asking why? and what's that? and I've wondered if Matt wonders about things. I am thrilled that he does, I look forward to answering more of his questions.

Greater freedom

After four long weeks of lumping around a heavy and uncomfortable cast that disturbed his sleep and meant all water play was off-limits, Matt now has a new, light-weight and water-proof cast. Once again he braved the scary process of having a cast removed. By the time he was home it was all forgotten and Matt delighted in the new found freedom of movement.

I am so thrilled for Matt. Tonight he gets his first bath in 4 weeks. Tomorrow we leave for a 4 day break away and I am relieved that Matt will be able to partake in the water fun. In two weeks time Matt will be totally cast-free, and hopefully remain like that for a good few years.

Rejoice always

Matt is teaching us a lesson on being joyful in all circumstances. Here is a short clip of him dancing during worship time at church. Not letting his cast hold him back. He is my inspiration.

(Sorry for the sound quality - I was using my cell phone)

Rejoice always

1 Thessalonians 5: 16

Take 2

You would think that since we all adapted to Matt's of wearing a cast the first time it would be easier the second time around. Sadly not.



Maybe its because the weather is now much hotter and we are more aware of how much water play, swimming and bath time Matt is missing out on.



Maybe its because it is more uncomfortable - it contains plaster as well as fibre glass as it has been specially scuplted to Matt's arm to limit his movement (which is good for healing but makes it heavier); and it has a built-in sling keeping it firmly in place (the previous one's detachable sling lasted 10 minutes with Matt). The increased discomfort has made sleep hard causing great frustration and wakefullness at night!



Maybe its because he is not allowed to remove the sling even to put clothes on so he has to wear his t-shirt over his arm and cast, which doesn't really fit and is rather annoying.



Maybe its because the memory of how the cast was fitted brings back unpleasant feelings. Matt was put under anaesthetic so that the doc could manipulate into place his broken, angled bones and then put them in cast. After he came around from the drugs he was in the grumpiest mood he has ever been in (understandably - poor guy).



So what caused Matt to break his arm again, 2 weeks after his cast had been removed? No he didn't fall off a jungle gym or tumble down the stairs or get his by a truck...he was just walking, holding his teachers hand, decided to change direction, tripped and (while still being held by the other hand) caught himself on his arm at just the wrong angle. Same break, same arm.

Just 32 more sleeps.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Matt has broken his arm again.


Sigh

Freedom

I have never seen anyone scratch as much or for as long as Matt did the moment the doctor removed the cast from his arm. Even the nurse offering Matt a lollipop from a basket brimming with lollipops did not get a second glance - all attention was on scratching.

We were very proud of Matt how he endured wearing the cast and also its' rather brutal removal.

His arm is still a bit tender, as it is not fully healed. Apparently the bone actually requires movement now to assist the healing process. Whilst it is still weak Matt should take it easy and try not to fall on it. Hhhmm that is going to be interesting.

It is a delight to watch him being able to page through books again, to splash in the bath, to swing a bat, and to carry two items at the same time. And sleeping has become comfortable again.

A mystery

Big brother Matt has a broken arm. And how did it happen? Well we are really not sure. Last week Thursday we noticed that Matt asked for help to get into the car seat - he can normally climbs up on his own. And that afternoon during play with rice and beans he was only using one hand whereas he usually loves rubbing and moving both his hands through the textures. However he did not appear to be in pain and certainly wasn't crying. Only on Friday morning when Lloyd pulled Matt up onto our bed did he start crying. Knowing that many RTSweeties have been reported to have unusually high pain thresholds we decided we had enough suspicious evidence to warrant an xray.

No doubt about it: a fractured left arm, just below the elbow. But as already mentioned we are not certain as to the cause - was it when Matt toppled off our bed; or when he ran and fell on the grass; or tripped on his toy in the lounge; or one of the many other times when his exhuberant playing caused him to bump into or fall off something? An unsolved mystery.

Lloyd took Matt to have his arm put in a cast - which I am told he endured with much grace and calmness. Initially Matt was not sure about wearing this cast. He can say the word OFF now, and initially would repeatedly show me his cast and request it be taken OFF. I think he understands that it is here to stay. He has since adjusted to having only one arm in use. He has figured out new ways to climb up on beds, chairs and stairs without assistance. He can still feed himself and open the cupboard to find his snacks. And can still find a way to spin plastic lids; play with his cars and turn the pages of a book. He is more independent than I thought he would be, and really only needs a hand to drink from a cup, take his clothes off and get up into the car seat.

The biggest impact the broken arm has had is on his ability to communicate. Matt tries to sign with one hand, but as many signs require the use of 2 hands. Often we are not sure what he is trying to say. But we are persevering. And we are also using some of the PECS pictures to help us where we get stuck.

For the next 4 weeks bath time will be a bit more tricky and sadly no swimming for Matt. But hopefully the time will pass quickly and by then the weather will be perfect for his first swim.

PS I'm also learning to do things with one hand. My reason is a little different - Nic likes to be included in what I am doing during most of the day. I have to admit that Matt has adapted far quicker and more proficiently than I have!!!