The Front Porch Swing

[LBejaran]

What does "Haters To The Left" mean in the post a few back?...

It means that Haters (aka Generally Disagreeable People Who Feel Like They Can Pass Judgment Simply Because They Are Disagreeable) should step aside while I sashay on through life as I see fit. It's also a little animation of one of my favorite actors/writers/screenwriter/producer with several People's Choice Awards, Emmy nominations, and was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2011. He's very talented and he's only 24! I suppose he's an example of what to aspire to no matter you age or inclinations.

 

[LadyCluck77]

I haven't been painting many eggs lately, but I took the time to dye a couple goose eggs I ordered (blown out for me).  There were a gorgeous emerald/turquoise color that I then painted swirls over.  They were last-minute Christmas gifts that I put together for my favorite hometown shopkeeper and my cousin.

Woot, congrats on all the cool stuff!  Don't you just love watching the chicks pip and zip from their eggs?  I wish I was as dedicated to the breeding aspect of my chickens, but I'm really not, haha!    As this point, the most I want is to breed my Australorp roo with my new Easter Egger hen in hopes that I'll get a light-green egg-laying pullet from them.  I was dissuaded from purchasing a Maran because of the aggressiveness, but I think I may be interested in a Barnevelder.  I want to get one from a reputable breeder, though, to be sure that the eggs are nice and dark. 

The goose eggs sound so beautiful. I have always thought that a whole Christmas tree decorated with hand decorated eggs would be so gorgeous. Especially for us poultry fanciers!

Also, wanted to mention that HappyChooks breeds Barnevelders, if you're interested, I'm not sure where she's located out of.

 

[Blooie]

Hi all! I'm back. Been in Salt Lake for the last few days with Kendra getting new braces. So I'm not even gonna try to catch up. I'll just linger and step in when there's an opening! I did catch the weight loss! I wondered how you were doing since your surgery. Sorry you had the liver cyst thing toss a monkey wrench in for a while, but it ain't always what happens it's how ya rebound from it, and it sounds like you are back on track! Awesome!

Whew!

You all have been busy while I've been lounging around in a nice hotel and jet-setting around. Well, don't roll your eyes at me! When you live in Cowley a plane ride from Cody to Salt Lake is considered jet-setting!

 

[dpenning]

Welcome back! How is Kendra doing with the new braces, does she need to learn to use them or does it just make things easier for her?

 

[Blooie]

Actually it turned into kind of a bust. The new braces came in and they are certainly going to make it easier for her to walk without tripping over her feet when they turn in. Her left foot actually faces backwards sometimes..toes pointed completely behind her.

But - isn't there always a but? - her shoes won't work with them. The braces are actually twister cables which attach to a waist belt. They run down the outside of her legs, strap just above the knees, and then attach to the shoes. The cables have a little flap of metal at the very bottom of each one. The prosthetics folks cut a slit in her shoes, the metal plate goes inside that slit, and they are riveted in place. So the belt, the knee straps, the cable and the shoes end up being all one piece. When we put the braces on we put her shoes on over her new ankle/foot orthotics, close the strap above her knees, then close the waist belt. The cables keep her feet from being able to turn inward but they can't do their job until they're tightened, and they can't be tightened until she has shoes that can be attached to them. We thought her shoes would work, but they just aren't big enough to go over her AFO's. So they've had to order two pairs of shoes for her, one to wear with the AFOs and the other pair when she's in the KAFOs. Sounds more complicated than it is.

As soon as the new shoes come in, the guys at Shriner's will set the cables into the shoes, then send them to us with the other pair. Her physical therapist here will make the fine adjustments in cable length. If the new shoes don't fit, then I'll have to take her back to Salt Lake with a pair of shoes that we've purchased here for her, and that's tough. It's really hard to find shoes with the foot box tall and wide enough to hold the AFOs. So we're still in a holding pattern. <sigh>

 

[Amberjem]

Hi all! I'm back. Been in Salt Lake for the last few days with Kendra getting new braces. So I'm not even gonna try to catch up. I'll just linger and step in when there's an opening! I did catch the weight loss! I wondered how you were doing since your surgery. Sorry you had the liver cyst thing toss a monkey wrench in for a while, but it ain't always what happens it's how ya rebound from it, and it sounds like you are back on track! Awesome!

Whew!

You all have been busy while I've been lounging around in a nice hotel and jet-setting around. Well, don't roll your eyes at me! When you live in Cowley a plane ride from Cody to Salt Lake is considered jet-setting!

glad to see your ok and living life .. was thinkin of you earlier and hoping all was well with you

 

[Blooie]

Kendra's new braces...or what will be her new braces when we get them all put together with the shoes!


This is the hip socket where the twister cables screw in. They can be adjusted for length as she grows with an allen wrench. I didn't like how deeply they dug into her thighs but James (the prosthetics tech) said that when she stands they wouldn't dig as deeply. I just smiled at him and made him adjust them anyway. She sits a lot in her chair and she has to be comfortable there too.

Kendra modeling the twister cables. The bow in them is supposed to be there, but it won't be as pronounced when they are actually attached to the shoes and when the upper strap holds them closer to her body just above the knees. They are made that way to allow for bending, twisting, and getting into and out of a sitting position. But even just temporarily attached to the brace on her left foot, look at how straight that foot! I'm excited for her to start using them! They will make such a difference in her life!


In her chair at Shriner's, waiting for her turn for fitting. She's pretty content.

 

[lazy gardener]

Kendra's new braces...or what will be her new braces when we get them all put together with the shoes!


This is the hip socket where the twister cables screw in. They can be adjusted for length as she grows with an allen wrench. I didn't like how deeply they dug into her thighs but James (the prosthetics tech) said that when she stands they wouldn't dig as deeply. I just smiled at him and made him adjust them anyway. She sits a lot in her chair and she has to be comfortable there too.

Kendra modeling the twister cables. The bow in them is supposed to be there, but it won't be as pronounced when they are actually attached to the shoes and when the upper strap holds them closer to her body just above the knees. They are made that way to allow for bending, twisting, and getting into and out of a sitting position. But even just temporarily attached to the brace on her left foot, look at how straight that foot! I'm excited for her to start using them! They will make such a difference in her life!


In her chair at Shriner's, waiting for her turn for fitting. She's pretty content.

Blooie, the minute I saw that "hip socket" I wanted to call the orthotist and make him fix it!! You have a good eye. Glad you are such a good advocate!

 

[LindaB220]

Actually it turned into kind of a bust. The new braces came in and they are certainly going to make it easier for her to walk without tripping over her feet when they turn in. Her left foot actually faces backwards sometimes..toes pointed completely behind her.

But - isn't there always a but? - her shoes won't work with them. The braces are actually twister cables which attach to a waist belt. They run down the outside of her legs, strap just above the knees, and then attach to the shoes. The cables have a little flap of metal at the very bottom of each one. The prosthetics folks cut a slit in her shoes, the metal plate goes inside that slit, and they are riveted in place. So the belt, the knee straps, the cable and the shoes end up being all one piece. When we put the braces on we put her shoes on over her new ankle/foot orthotics, close the strap above her knees, then close the waist belt. The cables keep her feet from being able to turn inward but they can't do their job until they're tightened, and they can't be tightened until she has shoes that can be attached to them. We thought her shoes would work, but they just aren't big enough to go over her AFO's. So they've had to order two pairs of shoes for her, one to wear with the AFOs and the other pair when she's in the KAFOs. Sounds more complicated than it is.

As soon as the new shoes come in, the guys at Shriner's will set the cables into the shoes, then send them to us with the other pair. Her physical therapist here will make the fine adjustments in cable length. If the new shoes don't fit, then I'll have to take her back to Salt Lake with a pair of shoes that we've purchased here for her, and that's tough. It's really hard to find shoes with the foot box tall and wide enough to hold the AFOs. So we're still in a holding pattern. <sigh>

Yeah, Honey, there's always a BUT...... or Murphy's Law. Whichever!. Hope you can adjust this soon. she's so precious. I still think of her singing. ha.

 

[LindaB220]

I just noticed Bee's been posting on BYC again! Maybe she'll grace is with a visit.

Ha! She's around. Why would she when she has this fabulous other front porch swing free forum site. I don't get over as much as I want to but I'm having to really gear back my posting. Just too much going on . At least, it's productive things.

I love both sites. .