United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

First of all I want to tell everyone what a help this site has been. My nephew just had surgery at shriners came home yesterday. I am going to visit him today I have some larger shirts to fit over cast,sweatpants{because its easier than jeans} and i was wondering if there is anything that I can bring him or do for him to make his life more comfortable or bearable with this cast. Thank you.

Hi Robin,

My son Mitchell had sugery at Shriners also (and is having another one soon) and was in the cast for 8 weeks. He did very well. The large shirts and sweatpants are just what we did.

After a couple of weeks your nephew's cast will begin to smell...especially around his hand and finger area. This is becuase the skin is essentially dyingand the flakes of skin are trapped in the cast and begin to smell. What they can do to help with that is to take a toothbrush (soft one) and "brush" his hand and fingers.Tryto go up as far as possible (around hand only...not around the shoulder area where the incision is). This will help keep the skin from smelling so bad.

As far as bathing went, we washed Mitchell's hair at the kitchen sink. I had him stand on a chair and it was really quite easy once I learned to get around the bulk of the cast. For the rest of his body, I just had him stand in the tub and would bathe him from waist down.

If he gets hot, you can take a blow dryer and set it on the *COOL SETTING ONLY* and blow the COOL air up the tummy and back part of his cast.

If you think of anything else, just ask. Which hospital did your nephew have his surgery at? We go to the Twin Cities hospital in MN.

Good luck!

Missy

on this page at the way way bottom there is stuff called CAST BLAST - it's canned powder that you blow into the cast... I dunno if it'll be useful or not but just an FYI...

http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/splints.html

hope things work out
-francine

Hi Missy, Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post. I will pass the info along to my brother. I went to see my nephew(Bradley) today. He is 3 1/2 he had surgery Oct 17 at Shriners in Philadelphia. Dr. Kozin did the surgery (L'Episcope procedure) He was running all around seems to be doing so good. It is amazing how kids bounce back. Me, on the other hand, haven't had much sleep, all I do is think about him. I wish there was something I could do to make it all go away but well I'm sure you know all about that. You said that Mitchell has to go for a second surgery?? I think I read that it was scheduled for a couple weeks. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I'm hoping that Bradley only has to have this one , I DON'T THINK I COULD TAKE A SECOND ONE LOL I don't know how you parents do it. It is so hard to watch someone you love go through so much. I come to the boards often I try to learn as much as I can about his injury and surgery so that I can help him and his parents any way that I can. I will keep an eye out to see how Mitchell made out I'm sure he will do well He will be in my prayers. Many thanks Robin

Hi Francine, I did see that thank you, I remember the nurse saying not to use any powder under his cast. I'm not sure if that would be okay or not but I do appreciate the reply. Many Thanks Robin

We bought the shampoo in a cap and wipes with soap on them, it made bathing a breeze.
Cindy

You can find the shampoo caps and bathing wipes at Walgreens and Eckerds and most drug stores. They are called Comfort Bath products.They helped us out alot.