Finding Another Finger

One cast removal later, and Sidney is modeling a purple splint with hot pink Velcro. I personally thought the color combination was fashion forward. As Sidney wore a large set of ear muffs for the loud saw, a cautious medical professional cut through her cast. Sidney was feeling the effects of the muscle relaxer and pain killer which were suggested by the doctor for such an occasion. Another trip back into the orthopedists side of the clinic, and light gauze was painstakingly removed after dipping her hand into a bowl of liquid. This took awhile to accomplish, as it was obviously important not to disturb the grafts. What was left was dark brown skin around the inside of two separated fingers with the appearance of thick scabs. While contentedly eating fruit chews, she simply looked at her fingers as if to say, “I know something is different?”

My mother came along, and like myself, has an interest and stomach for all things medical. Anyone else looking at the grafts after the gauze was pulled off might have been a bit grossed out. We were both amazed at the appearance of two puffy fingers versus two fused together. I never took good health care for granted, however this morning, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the thought of what could have been if Sidney had not been our daughter and living in the United States. I cannot explain how cool it is to be the person facilitating this care. It is humbling and amazing all at the same time, and we feel extremely blessed.

Next, we were off to physical therapy for a splint. A physical therapist traced her hand and applied adhesive strips of Velcro. After only an hour and a half, we were back in the car headed to Independence. On March 1st, we will go down for our final appointment. Until then, we leave the splint on and take it off for baths!

Our next surgery is supposed to be in 6 months. Our hand surgeon said today, the next surgery will require another full arm cast, and it will be necessary to pin the bone. I was unaware that when a pin is removed, it is simply pulled out. The hand surgeon advised it is over, before a kid knows what is happening. I know she is cautious about pain control, so I trust her opinion. Thankfully, a skin graft will not be necessary for the procedure. We will find out more on March 1st. We are thinking a cast will not be much fun during a humid summer but know that we will do what is best for Sidney’s long term health. In the meantime, we look forward to watching how the first surgery changes her quality of life and function.