My 2yo DD broke her arm, help with shirts needed

[MinnieGi]

On Monday afternoon my 2yo DD broke her arm. I was putting a DVD in for her and she was on the couch and the next thing I knew she was face down on the floor beside the arm of the couch. It was about a 2 1/2 feet drop. I immediately saw when I picked her up that her left arm was disfigured with a knot sticking out. Had a horrible sinking feeling, as I knew her little arm was broken.

At our children's hospital we found out DD had broken both bones in her left forearm. Luckily since she is just two they did not have to do surgery on her to set the bones in line as they would have had to do on an older child. She was an absolute champ in the hospital the whole time and the Dr.'s, nurses, and I were amazed at how much she grasped when they explained procedures and treatment.

She has a splint and sling right now, but on Friday morning they put a cast on for 4 - 6 weeks. She's already decided she wants a purple cast.

I need help with clothing though for her. They had to cut her shirt in the ER for the splint. The splint and cast cover from her fingers to almost the top of her arm with her elbow bent so she can carry it in a sling. No pullover shirts will fit over the cast. Does anyone know of a website that sells shirts especially for children in casts?

I made one shirt for her from an hand-me down from her cousin. It was a button down shirt and I cut one sleeve almost off except for a little sleeve cap and then I cut a slit in that too to allow room to fit over the cast and it worked! I'm planning of visiting our local second sale children's clothing store for more button down shirts that I can alter, but I was wondering if there was clothing already made for such a purpose?

Thanks for any help!
Gi

 

[poohandwendy]

Can't answer your question, I just wanted to say I hope your DD is feeling better soon! My son broke the same 2 bones a year and a half ago (wrestling with friends), 2 days after we returned from WDW!. He was 12, so I imagine it would be tough with a little one! Same deal, 6-8 weeks in a cast, no surgery, thank God!. His was replaced after 3 weeks due to his elbow starting to scrape on the inside of his cast (swelling goes down and there is more room to wiggle around). It is really important that they do not get any sores inside the cast (infection and all). Keep an eye on it to be sure she cannot wiggle her arm inside the cast while she wears it.

They also did an xray again at this time to make sure it hadn't gone out of alignment before putting the new one on. It was summer and he was able to wear sleeveless shirts for the most part, I imagine longsleeves/coat would be a real problem! He also was not very happy when they finally removed the cast. He was uncomfortable for a few days, I think loss of muscle tone was the major culprit. He actually wanted the cast put back on! I'm sure I am telling you the same things that your doctor has/will, but good luck! As much as it was painful and an annoyance, I was so thankful I wasn't dealing with something worse!

 

[mamajoan]

Poor kid.. ouch! Sounds like she is doing very well and that you are doing a good job.

I am assuming it is pretty cold in Delaware these days so this is what I am going to suggest. Go to Target type store.. purchase some "disposable" shirts.. I mean inexpensive. Buy them a size larger than normal. If you are handy at sewing you can use velcro, buttons or snaps for closures after you slice open the Left arm from the neck to the tip of the sleeve. Sweatshirts work out great. Usually short sleeve tee shirts are ok to slip on, just start with the Left arm first.
Also you will find that shirts and sweaters that button up the front will be easier to get on than over the head type clothes.

There is clothing made for such a need but usually for long term situations.. as it is pretty darn expensive. Contact a medical supply store if that is the route you choose to persue. They will put you in contact with a clothing provider in your area.

btw.. tell her that PURPLE is a GREAT CHOICE for cast color!!

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by MinnieGi
I'm planning of visiting our local second sale children's clothing store for more button down shirts that I can alter, but I was wondering if there was clothing already made for such a purpose?

Don't know about a place specific to this but, I would suggest second-hand shops as well. Also, anything from an older sibling, cousin, friend, anyone who might 'give-away' a shirt or two to get her by.

{{HUGS}} for your tropper!! Ds's one & only cast was also purple.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Ouch! Hope she is doing better soon.

I think I'd hit the local thrift store or resale shop for some inexpensive shirts to alter. Lots of times you can find cute things at thrift stores for practically nothing, so you wouldn't feel so bad butchering them and then throwing them away when she's all better.

I often buy things there for my son to wear to Scout camp. It's almost impossible to get out red Oklahoma dirt. Easier to just buy something cheap and then throw them away.

 

[bambii]

get some old t shirts that are kind of big, cut the sleeve on top, from the neck to approx. the elbow and sew or stich some snaps on that.

 

[rbuzzotta]

My DD wore short sleeve shirts and if she got chilly, I put a sweater over the good arm and buttoned it to stay on while her "boo boo" arm was in the cast and sling.

Good luck.......

 

[MinnieGi]

Thank you all for your good wishes and suggestions!!

I'm planning on going to our local children's resale shop today after DH gets home from work and hopefully I'll be able to find suitable shirts that I can alter. I'm not very good at sewing, I just never really need to do it. But since these shirts will only be worn for a short duration hopefully they'll hold with my sloppy stiching.

Again thank you.
Gi