5 days ...

5 days and counting down ...

6 days and counting ...

Here is the cast at just about it lowest point ... it has been vomited on, urinated in, gotten wet in the bath and is coming unwrapped ...

Count Down to the Cast Off !

One week from tomorrow ~yeah.

Hanger Day

What the components and leg will look like and do!


Up and ready in the rain! Off to find out about the magic leg!

Of course we are going to do a little shopping with Sissy !!

We met with Gail from Hanger in Bangor. She will be seeing us again on the 5th at the hospital. So much of what will happen next will depend on how Luo's leg looks. More than likely, she will get a support stocking to help with any swelling and after that a trip to Hanger in Augusta for the casting to make the upper part of her magic leg.

Her prosthetic will come up above the knee, with a metal shaft and metal foot. The foot will be covered in a flesh covering to look "real". The upper part of her leg will look however we want it to ... it can be flesh covered or we can pick any fabric that they will work into the mold. Kind of cool if you ask me !!!

Once the mold is done and the rest created, the leg will be on and she will be off and running ...

As we sat in the office looking at examples of legs and feet, Luo took the foot and held it to her "fin" and looked at me as if to say,"this is what I am getting, right?" We talked about what would be happening after the cast and she smiled. I know she understands what is coming her way and is really excited to have it !

July 24th ... our first trip to the orthotist

This Friday we are meeting with Luo's orthotist to get information about her "magic" leg. This will be the first real conversation we have had about exactly what she will be fitted with and how it will work.

This is the beginning of something great for Luolin! She watches kids run, jump and dance and wants to do the same. As soon as she has her prosthetic and is used to it, she will be right there with them!

We have been very lucky thus far with her surgery and recovery. About the worst thing that has happened is that she was carsick and threw up all over her cast ! It has been a tough summer trying to keep the cast clean and DRY (shat is that?) ... it will b nice for everyone once it is removed !

We will keep you posted an what is happening next ... for now we have a rambunctious three year old with a strong will and a mind of her own ...

Pics ... Luo's first time out on the boat

(not sure what happened here ...)

July 4th and 5th

Nothing better than a "foffee" ice cream cone after a great day in the boat!

Sissy making things better ...

Luo and mom at the fireworks ... she was not impressed ...

July 4th started out with a 5 K race with mom and sissy ... by the time we got to the finish line, mommy was carrying Luolin and sissy was pushing an empty stroller !! Good times ~

In the evening, we went to the fireworks ... in the rain. Not one of Luo's favorite things to do ...

Really good example of what's to come ...

Luo's "fin" all wrapped and safe in the cast ...

Both of the addresses below are from the Hanger Company. It is really amazing what they are able to do with technology and artificial limbs ...

The first address is about the type of amputation Luo has. The video is really amazing!
The second address talks about pediatric prosthetics. I love the picture of the little girl wearing flip flops !


http://www.hanger.com/ProstheticsOrthotics/LowerExtremityProstheticsProgram/Pages/Symes.aspx

http://www.hanger.com/ProstheticsOrthotics/LowerExtremityProstheticsProgram/Pages/Pediatric.aspx

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig ...

Helping with the new kitchen floor ...

Luo's HOT walker !

Sitting in her Luo sized chair playing video games ...

Day two of being home with the "amputee with and attitude" ... it is amazing how three has kicked in so quickly!!!

Like so many people have said, Kids heal and adapt so quickly. Luolin is living proof of that! Within just a couple of days she has weaned herself from her pain meds (yeah), figured out how to get around with her cast, gotten REALLY good about the potty and pretty much mastered her walker. She is an amazing kid!