Casting for my new brace.

Today I went to the RNOH (Royal National Orthopedic Hospital) to have a plaster cast made of my back, so I can get a new brace. I need a new one because I have outgrown my old one already!!

When I got to the hospital I had to put on a big body sock and they cut out holes for my arms.

Then I had to sit very still and straight while they put the warm plaster all around my body.

 

While the plaster was setting the doctor pushed it into the correct shape to correct the curve in my spine.

Once it was dry they had to cut it off.  They will use the plaster cast as a mould for my new brace.

Sorry it's been a very long time!!!

Sorry it's been a long time! - I do have a very busy life!!

In April I went to see my consultant about my back.  I had to have an x-ray (with my brace on).  He was very pleased as my curve had gone from 38 degrees down to 13 degrees.  Which he said was very good.  He said that because I have been wearing my brace for 23 hours a day (and wearing it tight) and I do lots of exercise I have really helped my back get better.  My Mum and Dad were VERY happy, and so was I!!!!!

I don't mind wearing my brace because I know it is helping my back. Although, now that the weather is HOT I do get really hot when I'm wearing it, especially when I'm running around at play time.  But my teacher Miss Cooper changes my vest and gives me a little break (10 mins) after lunch.  Which I really enjoy!! 

Thanks Miss Cooper!!!

As you can see my curve has got smaller after just 3 months wearing the brace.

16/1/2009                                  23/4/2010
            

Two weeks in....

I have had my brace for two weeks now and I am wearing it for 23 hours a day.  I am getting use to wearing my it. Today when my Mum and Dad said I should take it off for an hour, I didn't want to, because it feels kind of natural to be wearing it, I feel like my back is comfortable and I am standing up straight.  When I took it off for an hour I had some red marks where my vest was creased under my brace and I had a heat rash, which was VERY itchy.

First night sleeping with my brace

Hello everyone, sorry I didn't get a chance to write yesterday I've had a very busy weekend. I went to South London yesterday and to Hampstead Heath today.

Friday night was the first night I slept with my brace on. When I went to bed I was NOT happy I had to wear it all night. It felt strange lying down with it on, it didn't hurt but it didn't feel right. I cried a little bit at first and then my Dad came upstairs and lay down with me to make me feel better. I was making funny sniffling noises which made my Dad laugh and then I started to laugh. We were laughing for about 10 minutes. I did go to sleep quickly after we stopped laughing, my Dad said. So it wasn't that bad.

On Saturday two of my cousins stayed the night at my house and we were up late messing around in bed. I kind of forgot about my brace and I went to sleep as normal.

Today Isabel, Georgia, Shannon, Lauren and me went to Hampstead Heath and we took our bikes. I started riding my bike with my brace on but it was nipping my skin at the top of my legs when I was peddling and it just felt uncomfortable. My Mum said I could take it off until we get back to the car. My Dad had to run all the way back to the car with it to put it away. I really enjoyed the bike ride and the play park. Once we got back to the car I put the brace on again. I am getting use to wearing it, but the brace has been hurting a little bit under my arm and my skin is red, my Mum and Dad said it’s because I have been wearing it for longer.

Preparing for 1st night sleeping with brace on

Tonight is going to be the first night I have slept with my brace on. I am feeling nervous because I don't think I will be able to sleep with it on.


I will let you know how it went tomorrow.

Thank You

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments they are really nice.

Love Ellie xxxxxxx

Another busy day

Today when I went to school I gave Miss Cooper my blog address.  She put my blog on the whiteboard so my whole class could read it and everyone liked it!!  Everyone laughed at the comment my grandad left on my blog. (Very Funny!!!)  Everyone said I am famous now.

I went to the hospital today to have my brace checked out because it was a little bit uncomfortable.  They changed the shape of my brace to make it more comfortable.  It now feels much better.  They said I'm not allowed to use my trampoline anymore. It's not FAIR!!!!!!

Here's a link to SAUK (Scoliosis Association UK)   http://www.sauk.org.uk/

First day at school with my brace

Today I wore my brace to school for the first time. It was fun because my friends were excited to see my brace. I told my best friend Madison to punch my tummy as hard as she could, because I knew it wouldn't hurt. The rest of my class all wanted a turn but none of them hurt me.


I had to do PE today so Miss Copper had to help me take my brace off and put it on after PE. She didn't put it on right at first and it was sore. She had to take it off and put it on again 2 times before it didn't hurt. I enjoyed the first day at school with my brace as I was still able to play with my friends and play football!!

I kept the brace on for 11 hours today. Wow!!

My first brace

Wednesday 24th February 2010 (Late entry because my Dad took so long to set up my blog)

Today I went with my Mum and Dad to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH). I felt excited and nervous all at the same time because I was going to try on my brace for the first time!

About a month ago I had to go and have it fitted. They took a plaster cast of my back so they could make the brace for me. I chose the design that I really liked. It is white with pictures of footballs and football boots all over it!

We saw the same lady who took the cast of my back and the same man too. They were very nice. When I put it on it felt very uncomfortable. It was too tall and too long and they had to cut it to the right size (not while I was wearing it). When they thought it was the right size they put the brace back on and asked me if it felt OK and I said ‘it still hurts a little bit under my arms’. They had to trim it a few more times to get it just right! Once it fitted comfortably they put holes in so I don’t get to hot, and they put some soft stuff on it to make it comfortable. Once everyone was happy (especially me) with the fit of the brace I put it on and we said goodbye.

On the way home I was very upset as my brace felt horrible and I didn’t like it. My Mum and Dad took me to have a special treat, a Chinese meal! Yummy! But I still felt sad and wanted to take my brace off.

As it was the first day I only wore the brace for 1 and a half hours. It was really uncomfortable. I didn’t expect it to be like that, even though my Dad told me. It helps that my Dad had to wear one too, so he knows what he’s talking about.

Tomorrow I have to wear it for 3 hours, on Friday for 4 hours and on Monday I will wear it to school for the whole day. I think it will be less uncomfortable as I will be used to it. I am excited to take it into school and show everyone there. I’m also very excited about keeping this blog.

This x-ray is of my spine in January 2009.