Change in Plans

We have finally reached the 6 week mark with Ethan's arm, so this morning we went bright and early to get X rays and then to see the specialist. He told us 3 weeks ago, if everything looked good he would give Ethan a shorter cast. He figured he would need another 2 weeks with the shorter cast for a total of 8. Everything started out looking good, the X rays show that the bone is healing, But and there is a big BUT!!! There is still quite a visible break in the bone, he said it is taking much longer because it was such a bad break and then because of his prednisone use.

 I did tell him that Ethan is once again spilling protein and that he will likely have to go back up to 60mg every day again soon. Ethan woke up this morning, with swollen eyes and the telltale signs of an imminent relapse. It is so disheartening to think that after only 12 days off prednisone we will most likely have to start this whole process over again. I hardly slept last night, worrying about today and the impact of another relapse. We are going to Europe for 2 weeks in July and we will be doing a lot of walking, touring 5 Countries in 2 weeks. The plan is if you can't carry it, don't pack it, so I am really hoping that Ethan will feel well enough to enjoy everything we see and do. WE really want to enjoy it too and if he isn't well, I find it hard to relax and enjoy myself.

But back to Ethan's arm... We were expecting that Ethan would only have this shorter cast on for another 2 weeks, but again things don't seem to be going according to plan. The doctor says that Ethan will need the shorter cast on for another 6-8 weeks, say what???  If he has to have it on that long, we decided to go with a waterproof cast a HOT pink one, (Ethan's choice). The old stinky cast comes off without a hitch, but it is what is under the cast that changes things once again.

We found that Ethan has some skin lesions that look to be very irritated, possibly infected. It could be eczema or just irritated from the cast. In any case, they are bad enough that he decided he didn't want to cover them up with a new cast. Especially since he will probably have to go back on a high dose of prednisone, which also slows down wounds healing.

So plan CDEFG is, a splinter cast, one that he can take off and one for showering. He told us that the splinter cast will not provide enough protection from another fall, or allow him to play any sports or use his arm like normal. He has to be very careful not to get bumped or fall, which concerns me as the Gr. 6 hallway is NUTS and super crowded and he gets bumped all the time. So that is where we are at right now.

 I have to say how proud I am of Ethan, he handled the news like a champ, he didn't cry or complain. He just does what he always does, quietly absorbing it all. He is definitely not verbal about his feelings, if you can get even get him to talk about his feelings. Although his wife one day will want him to talk about his feelings, so trying to work on that! I am so blessed to have him and I think God knew that his Mother needed a child like him. Please pray for Ethan's arm and for his precious Kidney's and for all of us as we continue to journey along side of him.