May need NEW braces!?!

Well today we seen the surgeon. We discussed Superstar's limping late last week. We also learned that he has techinically outgrown his braces! UGH! (Growing boys!)

1) The limping: I mention last week after running and playing Superstar started to limp. We have learned that the limping was most likely the result of him overworking and stress the muscles while he played. Seeing he's pretty much fine today and has really no pain, I was told not to stress over it. If it happens again, to give him Mortin and some rest over the next few days like we did. Of course if it get worst, or if there is swelling, or other things outside of what we experince then we are to give the surgeon a call.

2) He has outgrown his braces already! These things are not cheap, they are about $900-$1,000 PER brace! He wears 2 of them, so each set is $1,800-2,000.

See how his big toes stick out? Well they are NOT suppose to be like that. So we may have to get new braces soon. The surgeon on one hand doesn't want to order up a new prescription for braces, because as of today he's thinking we MAY be done with them come THIS October.  On the other hand, we don't want Superstar to be in something that doesn't "fit" properly.

His toes sticking out over the end of the braces does not effect the function of the brace. The brace is STILL functional and is STILL doing it's job! So we decided as long as Superstar is not bothered or getting 'sores' from the braces as they are we'll leave them. If it becomes a discomfort then we'll get a script for a new braces. If he develops pressure sores again then we'll get a new braces instead of another adjustment, like we did last week.  Generally braces can last about 12 months, but that's not the case if you are a growing boy! (He's only have had his braces for 6 months).  

The cool thing about it is the doctor said that we don't have to go in for the brace if it comes to that . All we have to do is call and he'll fax the script to the orthist that makes Superstar's braces.  So we do not have to see the surgeon again until the end of October.  At the end of October we MAY be giving life with no braces a try.

Web-Princess Skiing

We have a local competition water skiing team. This team offers "learn how to ski clinic" several times over the summer. The clinics are "cheap". The only cost is the $7 per child for their insurance charge. Web-princess had two goes at it today. The first time she got a little scared. She didn't even get to hold on the the rope, because she was a little freaked out.

We let the other kids go and 2 hours later she was given a second shot at it. She didn't make it up, but at least she let the boat pull her. They were going to give her a few more tries on that go, but she was done. I'm proud of her and glad to see her even give it go! Superstar did NOT get to go today, because of his foot giving him issues this week. However there will be another learn how to ski clinic at the end of July so we are hoping he can go then.

For your enjoyment the video of Web-princess second go!

Web-Princess practicing her form on the "stage".

Here are some still of her in the water:

3D Fireworks Glasses

Today the kids and I went to our local children's (science) museum. We have a family membership pass. This pass allows us daily general admission to the museum for one low yearly fee. For the summer they have special events to do on Fridays/Saturdays and Mondays that are included in the general admission. So we have been going because we have our membership.

Todays activities had to do with lights: experiment with black light, capture a rainbow, construct a color viewer and more. The highlight of todays activities had to do with 3D Fireworks Glasses. Each kids was allowed to bring home a pair to keep. The kids are looking forward to viewing the 4th of July Fireworks with these glasses on!  So what's so special about these glasses? Well when you look through them this is what you see.

3D Fireworks Glasses (Lazer Viewers)- specially treated holographic lenses break light into the spectrum. Lazer Viewers (3D Fireworks Glasses) are an exciting addition to fireworks displays, laser light shows and holiday celebrations everywhere, according to the manufactures website.

The kids through out the day have been viewing the world and lights via the glasses. Imagine that the fireworks on the 4th of July will be pretty spectacular when seen through the glasses. Perhaps I'll even be able to get video of what it looks like through the glasses.

The picture above is what is "really" seen through the glasses. I just turned off the flash on the camera and held the glasses up to the camera lens and took a snap shot!

Walking with a limp.

I know at first you might be thinking this is about me and my recent fall. However it's NOT me, it's Superstar. We have been blessed that over all his recovery has been going good. Really he hasn't had issue with his walking post-surgery. Sure at first, but that was just the initial recovery from surgery. Once he started to walk post-surgery things have been good. I know we had to deal with pressure sores this week, but they didn't caused him to walk with a limp.

As I've mention before we have been given permission for Superstar to have up to 4 hours a day WITHOUT his AFO. He was even allowed to play soccer WITHOUT his AFO.  Yesterday evening we went down to the river to watch a local professional ski competition group preform/practice. Superstar, Web-princess and their friends were not interested in watching the skiers...mainly because it was rainy here yesterday and as a result none of the music was playing and there was no announcer.  They weren't even sure they would go on with the performance/practice until 5 minutes before start time. So instead of watching they played on the playground and tag hide-n-seek among the trees.

Superstar was NOT wearing his braces, because of the time of day. He had shoes on, but some how he end up hurting the bottom of his left heal. It hurts for him to put pressure on his heal. Not sure what happen. I've contact the surgeon. We are already schedule to see him Tuesday as it is, so he told us rest, Motrin, and hopefully it doesn't get worst between now and then.

I'm worried....seeing we are still recovering, etc. I know we got the okay for sports and I know his running around last night was not abnormal play. I just don't understand why he's having pain like that.

AFO Adjustments

Today we went for another AFO adjustment. Superstar like most children his age has been "growing" so the AFO needed to be adjusted. They were starting to give him pressure sores again. (He's grown a few inches since April).

While there the first thing the Orthotist said to us was "He clearly wears them". Actually he said that a few times to us. At the end of our visit I inquired and asked "how common is it for the kids not to wear them?". According to the Orthotist it's very common. To actually see a child Superstar's age wear the AFO/Braces like they are suppose is a rarity.

This actually shocked me! The AFOs are NOT cheap and for the amount of money that goes into them, I would expect the parent to make the child wear them like they are suppose too. I was very surprise to hear that parents don't make their kid wear them like they should.

Next week we see the surgeon again for another post-surgery appointment.