Burn Update...

As many of you know, Kaiyah was discharged from the burn clinic in the fall, but we went back becuase her wound site was starting to scar and we were concerned. We discovered that her scars should not create any future physical problems. She won't need surgery or therapy or anything, which is a huge, huge praise! However, since we had covered all of our insurance premiums for the year, we decided to fit her for a pressure garment that she would wear 23 hours a day in order to smooth out the burn site and minimize scarring. So, between visiting family in Indiana and East Palestine for Christmas, we returned to Columbus to pick up the pressure shirt. Over the next few days/weeks, we realized that it just wasn't worth it to us or to Kaiyah. It was so tight at first that it took two people to zip it up, and, though it did smooth out her scar, it also impaired her breathing and mobility. She developed raw spots under her arms and on the back of her neck from it rubbing and would really cry when she saw it and periodically throughout the day becuase it was so uncomfortable. And then Kaiyah got a cold and the pressure shirt made it even more difficult for her to catch her breath.

So, we decided that asthetics weren't enough to make it worth it. Her scar will stretch and smooth as she grows and probably be mostly located on the underside of her breast eventually anyway, so not many should see it. (At least we hope not.) What we've been doing instead is putting on a gel patch (really only at night as Kaiyah is really good at taking them off when I'm not looking and losing them) under the tight shirts she wore when she still had bandages. They keep enough pressure to smooth the site a little bit, without being very uncomfortable. Kaiyah doesn't mind it at all. She thinks its fun to look at her belly now.

Looking at her stretchy shirt and gel patch. She is really into her belly and bellybutton right now. (Mommy's too- "baby")

All that remains of Kaiyah's burn, about the size of a half dollar. It doesn't hurt or itch at all. Praise God for his healing touch!