Friday Night Ramblings

Eli’s out with a friend and his friends family for the evening, so I’m on the couch with Ralph again. Eli was more than happy to escape. We’re at the part of summer that’s not warm enough for going to the pool and trying to find some sense of normalicy with endless time to spend reading, catching up on unwatched videos, and going for bike rides while mom yells from the back of the side walk to stop at the corner. Eli’s such a good sport biking in front of his sister and sitting patiently at corners to wait for her, knowing she’s too tiny to bike on the street.

This is the same protector that walked into the orthopedic clinic with Sidney and I on Monday. Both kids behaved awesomely which was great as I was by myself this trip. The university hospital is an easy hour from our home, but by the time the car is in the ramp, and we are finally in our exam room, I’m feeling a little frazzled. Eli was every bit the co-navigator, conversationalist, and helper a person needs along on a trip. He looks forward to going with us. Somehow I feel as a parent having a sister with unique special needs will make him a kinder more accepting person as an adult.

The other day, we were talking and he told me he forgets his sister has three fingers. That’s the first time he’s ever brought it up. He also forgets there’s anything complex about his sister’s condition like everyone else. Maybe that’s why it’s so bizarre on days like Friday when Sidney’s diagnosis is written on a form as a “complex deformity.” Frankly, I hate the word deformity, but I know the medical world has its own set of labels.

After a few x-rays and an exam by the and surgeon, Sidney’s hand has healed well. For now, we will have a splint made which will allow us to monitor her hand. Meaning, the surgeon suggested we put the splint on her hand about once a week and see if it’s getting tighter. If the skin begins contracting again, and the splint is tighter, she recommended we try additional physical therapy. For now skin which caused her finger to contract looks great. Like I said before mother nature will probably always cause her finger to crook in, but the surgery accomplished more mobility in her finger.