"Brace" yourself

After reading that title, it might be a little cruel. I'm referring to the strong possibility that I might begin the casting process today, where a series of casts are used to straighten out my fingers. I have an appointment with my hand/plastic surgeon and then with my physical therapist. I'll write a post when I return.

As far as the transition is concerned, nothing too exciting yet. The doctor thought it best that I not do any traveling during the time of the transition. So with the buying trip to New York being over this past weekend and my trip to Boston to talk to the sarcoma specialist at Dana Farber, we decided to just wait until I got through those as was home for the ten days.

I'll definitely write a couple of posts during that time to let everyone know how things are.

I have a chest scan on October 1st. I'm not too worried (yet) about this one. Maybe I'll be too busy tossing and turning, fighting off the cold sweat to have time to stress out about things.

In the meantime, here's a shot of Ashley and myself in New York. We had a great time. The weather was some of the best I've ever experienced up there. I think the smoke machine up in the club made the pic a little out of focus.



Take Care,

CP





AFTERMATH:

The doctor's appointment went extremely well. He is still impressed by my progress, agrees that serial casting should be helpful, and thinks the casting might both straighten my fingers as well as increase the range of motion. The graft has totally healed. My thighs are thankful.

The cast is everything I dreamed it would be: cumbersome, painful, and something I'll be wearing for the next 4 to 6 months. Hopefully it will accomplish all the goals I stated, which also include preventing my arm from being washed over the duration. Every week the cast will be removed and a new one will be set with my fingers slightly straighter. After it is all said and done, I'll enjoy the luxury of straight dirty fingers. My physical therapist has had excellent success with this technique and is totally confident using this process. Did I mention "Rock of Love" is her favorite TV show?...I couldn't be in better celebreality loving hands.

I think I'll get a "Bret" tattoo on my cast to celebrate the start of a new adventure...