Caden Update

Caden is doing a lot better and mostly back to doing normal activities. He broke his humerus 2 weeks ago. The swelling has finally gone down but there is extensive nerve damage. His right hand is useless. He can't feel anything in his pinkie or half his ring finger due to ulnar nerve damage. He also can't grasp, push, straighten, bend or do anything but tenderly wiggle his thumb and index finger because of another damaged nerve. We met with a hand therapist and she did some tests and exercises with Caden. She explained there is basically nothing we can do right now until the cast comes off. She explained that in 90% of the cases the nerves repair themselves but it can take up to a year. I guess nerves grow back very slowly. He will have to have physical therapy once the cast comes off. We go back in to the orthopedic surgeon on July 15th for more x-rays and we are hoping the fracture will be healed and they can take the pins out of his elbow. But I am not getting my hopes up b/c there is a chance he will just have to be recasted for another couple of weeks.

The saddest thing about it is that he can't play his new DS or Wii game he got for his bday because both require 2 hands and he can't even hold anything in the right hand or push the 'A' button with his thumb. So he has been having Ellie and me play the games for him while he watches and tells us what to do. Not of lack of trying though, below you will see him playing DS using his right toe and resting it on his leg.
He is getting pretty good at using his left hand but gets frustrated with writing or coloring. Lets just hope those nerves come back before school starts or he is going to have a tough time in Kindergarten.


Caden attempting to play Mario with his toe.


We took Caden to McDonald's to lift his spirts as his first excusion after surgery.