May 19, 2008
bits and pieces
Charlie had a big day today: he got his cast off, briefly at least — the arm has pretty much entirely healed, but to give it just a LITTLE extra something or other, the cast is back on for two more weeks. Fortunately it’s a shorter cast, so he can unbend his elbow, and more importantly it is GREEN.
He spent the ten minutes between the removal of the old cast and the putting on of the new cast peeling the dead skin off his arm and dropping it on the examining room floor. Don’t think too hard about that please. And I insisted on washing his hand, because it hadn’t been washed in SIX WEEKS people. It was disgusting. And also peeling.
Seriously, don’t think about it. I’m begging you.
He spent the entire drive home scratching his upper arm and by the time we got into the garage it was raw and he was crying and it was all downhill from there. We rubbed Aquaphor on his flaking bicep and then he sat on the floor and sobbed for half an hour. Poor little thing — he really wanted his cast off, but then when they took it off, it hurt to straighten his arm and his skin is itchy and peeling and the cast isn’t really OFF yet and he’s just had it with being broken.
Fortunately, he also lost his first tooth tonight, which made up for everything else.
Posted by Susan @ 8:46 pm • Henry&Charlie
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May 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm, Jenny Says:
Here’s to hoping Charlie’s tooth fairy has at least a fiver to leave behind for him tonight.
Just saying.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:00 pm, HeatherK Says:
Oh no! You are making me nervous for June 6th—that’s de-casting day here. I was so hoping we could trade orange for pink when we went for a follow-up xray, but no such luck. That green is rather snazzy. He’s looking so much more kid boy than toddler-esque boy these days.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:11 pm, Jenn @ Juggling Life Says:
I don’t know if I’d start off with the fiver–you don’t want to set the bar too high!
May 19th, 2008 at 9:14 pm, All Adither Says:
He’s molting. Wait. Is that the right word?
May 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, Angella Says:
Ack! Molting! I’ll have nightmares!
OK. No nightmares. Just shivers.
Maybe the tooth fairy needs to leave a basket of goodies next to his bed. He deserves it
May 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm, Headless Mom Says:
The tooth fairy cures many ailments.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:15 pm, Becca Says:
I have had so many casts on - I lost track at 20 - and that dry skin is really something. I would recommend taking a damp washcloth and gently rubbing at his arm (being careful of the cast, of course) then drenching his arm in some really good cream or vitamin E oil. If you let that soak for a bit most of the skin should come off cleanly.
And if you think it’s gross now, you should have seen my leg after 16 weeks in a cast.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:19 pm, standing still Says:
I concur with Becca. Even though Teen/Child’s leg was braced and not casted for the whatever hell length of time he was immobile in that hospital bed in our living room, he shed skin from not moving or having tub baths/showers. I used warm washcloths wrapped around his leg, and after it soaked for a while, I gently used baby soap and water on a baby washcloth to “loofa” him off. Then, a nice slathering of lotion. Nothing like new skin. He would say, “I’m shedding, like a snake!”
May 19th, 2008 at 10:48 pm, Alison Says:
Okay, I am trying to cleanse my mind from the image of the skin shedding.
There’s nothing like an imminent visit from the Tooth Fairy to make a rough day all better!
May 19th, 2008 at 10:58 pm, Aimee Greeblemonkey Says:
MOLTING! Ack! I am gagging, literally.
Moving on to the happiness for the kid to only have 2 more weeks with the cast, AND the green is LOVELY.
P.S. Declan has lost 2 bottom teeth already and the top teeth are loose. I am pretty sure Declan is younger than Charlie. I KNOW I am doing something wrong here.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:10 pm, Busy Mom Says:
Busy D. lost his first today, too! Looks like it might even be the same one.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:15 am, the planet of janet Says:
my daughter got her cast off 2 weeks ago and then wore a brace for 2 weeks. the skin? the peeling? the dirt? excuse me while i throw up a little in my mouth…..
May 20th, 2008 at 1:48 am, Missy Says:
I always wanted a cast when I was a kid. I think you’ve successfully cured me of that wish. Hope he’s feeling better soon.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:25 am, Shan Says:
ARGH! So terrible! Poor little guy! (Though the green cast is very spiffy and spring-like!)
May 20th, 2008 at 6:58 am, Mir Says:
Please tell Charlie that I think he was especially brave considering that his whole arm is flaking off, and also that he looks SO much older with that tooth missing. Are you sure he’s not in high school?
May 20th, 2008 at 7:26 am, Christine Says:
When I was about 22, I was in a cast from my toes to my upper thigh. I remember how gross it was when they finally took it off. I can’t imagine being little and having to deal with it. Hug him for me, k?
May 20th, 2008 at 7:27 am, slynnro Says:
The secret to cast scratching? Flute tuning rod! Seriously, I played the flute and my best friend had a broken arm. She was very appreciative.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:05 am, gorillabuns Says:
Seriously trying not to think about the peeling skin here.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am, blackbird Says:
Two more weeks!
Make a paper chain and count it down!
Then buy a loofah.