My poor friend's son!

[jenny2]

I just heard from a friend of mine who's 4 year old son fell down the stairs yesterday and broke his femur (ouch!!). She is so sad - he's going to have to spend the WHOLE summer in a spica cast (from his armpits to his ankle!!). I feel so badly for the poor kid

The good news is he's doing OK. The bone should heal fine. But he's going to be immobile for 8 weeks. Several of my friends have come together to get "something" for him (and something for my friend!) to let them know we're thinking of them. Does anyone have any ideas or links to sites that have some good gifts??

Thanks in advance,

Jenn

 

[Serena]

Oh no! Poor kid, and poor mom. That's awful. I don't have any suggestions, I just hope the time goes fast.

 

[4greatboys]

Oh no, poor boy. Immobile for 8 weeks is an eternity to a 4 yr old. Im glad he is going to be fine.
I say get him 3 or 3 new movies and maybe set a game cube or x-box for him to play some games.

 

[CindysGusGus]

Oh wow...When DS was 3 he broke his leg with a spiral fracture. He had a cast from his toes to his butt. The best thing he learned was how to play video games. He learned to read, dexterity and it kept him occupied. Sometimes they can be good for problem solving as well. I hope he feels better soon.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

why is he going to be in a body cast? When i broke my femur at 5 I was in a cast on both legs only and it was my left leg. i got alot of board games to play but back the in 1980 I was 1st in the hospital for a month then I had the cast and my mom use to pull me around in a wagon so a wagon is something also a vacum with an exhaust for itches in the cast. maybe a gift certificate for videos.

 

[Parkhopper]

How about some Disney Read Along books (the kind that come on tape or CD). This can go a long way to keeping a little one occupied and serves as an alternative to videos or tv.

Suzi

 

[mommytotwo]

Poor thing, I would put together a pack of things that he is able to do. Simple things that he could do on his own just in case his parents are busy. Puzzles, models, coloring books, activity books, videos, Etchy Scetch, cards... hope he gets better soon.

For his mom, you could maybe get her a book-they have all kinds of Chicken Soup books, or if she is into cooking, then a cookbook and a basket of ingredients to make a meal or a snack.

 

[amid chaos]

Gift certificate to blockbuster or other movie rental place and then he can have his buddies over for a movie.

 

[spearenb]

hmmm, is there any other way to get a kid into a body cast? I wouldn't mind one for my DS2, every once in a while at least...

 

[BrinxFam]

When my DD was 7 wks. old she was in traction for a week and a body cast for 3 wks. due to a broken femur from a faulty product accident. It was terrible and I can't imagine a 4 yr. old in that situation. The reason we were given that both legs were in traction and a spica body cast was that it was easier to keep everything immobilized that way and it would promote better healing. My DD is 14yrs old now and recovered extremely well as I am sure your friend's son will do the same. I will send up some additional prayers for both of them. Video games, movie rentals, maybe card games or board games are all great ideas for the young man. Just remember that the young man will most likely not be able to bend to sit up for anything. You might consider offering to watch after you friend's son while she does errands, goes to dinner or just goes out for a walk. The days are long when you're in this situation.

Good Luck and blessings for you friend.

 

[avdeane]

I hope the little guy heals well and makes the best of things over the summer while he does. My best to his mother too since this will be a strain on her as well.

Another suggestion may be a Leap Pad and some books. It can help him learn to read while he's immobile.

 

[jenny2]

Thanks so much friends for all of the ideas and well wishes. I called my friend last night, and she's holding up well. I forgot to mention that she's 3 months pregnant and also has a 2 year old! I think of her all the time. She said he's still in good spirits - lets hope that lasts!

He's in a body cast because there can be no movement of his hips or his knee for the femur to heal correctly. She said the spica cast starts just below his armpits and goes down to the ankle of the broken leg and to just above the knee on his other leg.

Thanks again for all the ideas!

 

[Cruisin]

I was thinking about this.

If you are in a cast and you cannot bend, how are you going to do anything.

This might seem like a silly suggestion but how about something he can do with his free foot or toes of the other foot?

Maybe a helium balloon every so often, tied to his toes so that he can move his foot or wiggle his toes and make it dance. You could get different characters or shapes etc. Or one of those vinyl punching toys that he could kick at to get some of his aggressions and energies out with.



A musical keyboard or gameboy might interest him.