Here's the scoop...

UPDATE:  I just got off the phone with Dr. F's coordinator and Molly's cast change has been scheduled for August 16th at 8 a.m.  The procedure will last approx. 45 minutes and recovery will be up to 2 hours and then we'll get to go home!!  P.S.  I changed the countdown to reflect the actual time:)

What we learned yesterday:

• Molly's cast looks clean and strong (as clean as can be expected after 3 weeks that is).
• As far as the eye can see there are only very minor skin abrasions and no infection.
• Despite her gas issues and inevitable muffin top after eating, the cast is not too tight (I'm not convinced yet on this one).
• After looking at an in-office x-ray, Dr. Fabregas says that the cast is still doing it's job and progress is on schedule for the 3 week period we've been through!  This means no need for an early cast change (early cast changes aren't good).
• The second cast WILL happen and it will happen in 3 weeks (time still TBD).  At the cast change Molly will be put to sleep, he'll cut off the current cast and then try to manipulate the joint.  If it easily falls in and out of socket then she will be recasted with the same shape she has now (to the ankle on the left and the knee on the right).  If it stays strongly in the socket she will be casted only to the knee on both legs.  He did assure me that he would clean her off between casts:)!
• The possibility of a third cast is strong (and, because of her age, a fourth, fifth, sixth...I think he's trying to prepare us) but we won't know how strong until 3 weeks into the second cast.
• Apparently I ask more pertinent questions and have more insightful observation than some of his residents (per Dr. Fabregas) and have "done my homework".  That was validating!  However, note to self: don't trust residents...unless they are Carolyn Smallwood.
• Molly's butt looks really cute on an x-ray.
• Do NOT make appointments for the Alpharetta office (even when they say it's all Dr. Fabregas has open) because, although google maps says it's a 29 minute drive, it really takes one-hundred-twenty-nine minutes*!

*Actual time only slightly adjusted to reflect time with a hungry baby in a Hippo carseat.

One more small observation (made long ago but never shared):  how fun is it to be an orthopaedic doctor with the name Fabregas (pronounced: fab-rah-gas)?  It's like fiberglass!

And because every post is better with a picture, here's a cell pic of Molly waiting to see the doctor yesterday:

Overall, GREAT report...the countdown continues!

Praising God from Whom all blessings flow,
Ashleigh