A Carolina Blue Cast

Today was the day Oia got her cast. We strayed from the typical pink this time and chose Carolina Blue instead. She and I are the only Tarheels in the house (my alma mater and Oia's birth place) and since we had sole color-picking rights today, then light blue it was.



I spent a good bit of time preparing Oia for her cast this time around. Back in 2010 for her last casting, an explanation would have more than likely been too much for her to understand. How awful to put her through procedures then with little or no explanation but we did. And she still loves us. But this time, I pulled up pictures of her from those previous casting experiences and I explained as simply as I could what was going to happen today and why. She was curious. She listened and really processed my words. She asked why? and said ok. Trust was written all over her sweet face... Until we got into the casting room. Then she knew that what we discussed was really going to happen. She grew anxious and her face became flush. She started to cry and asked to go home. She begged for Daddy who she misses terribly while he's gone for work this week. Although it makes me sad to see her fears, I was proud of her reaction and her understanding of the appointment because I know she senses this is help. She was brave for the entire process, which of course, is quick and harmless.

Dr. R was able to very easily, he said, get her foot into neutral at 90 degrees and then some, for a little added stretch. This will be good. She walked to the car on her own afterward and once home, we broke out the Sharpies. Both girls were excited about writing on Oia's "boot". Esme made an E, Oia wrote her name and drew a rainbow, and I added a thing or two of my own. We even saved a little space so Rob can add the final touches once he returns home later this week.



I gave the Princess a dose of Tylenol to ease the night-time ache that I remembered from the last time, and she has been sleeping soundly since 7. Day 1 of 14 over. We got this.