Meet the new arm cast. It’s the same blue as the old cast, but a little lighter. The pins are out of my youngest son’s arm. That was an adventure. The first pin coming out was miserable. My son was in tears. The surgeon offered him a break before removing the second pin. He even brought my son water and candy. Once my son was calm again, the second pin was removed, quite easily this time. Then we got the bad news: two more weeks. The new cast was put on. My son was emotionally exhausted, so I kept him home for the day.

I had to share the news with my family, and then the Instrumental teachers at his new and old schools, and with the horse riding teachers. My son won’t be able to resume those activities until sometime in June.

He did, however, audition for the Young Playwrights Lab Performance with Touchstone Theatre. He was a little surprised when I told him he could still audition with a broken arm. The plays will be performed May 18 at Northeast MS. Visit touchstone.org for tickets.

In this and other ways, I am trying to keep my son busy. We attended two plays and a school concert. All were enjoyable, but he seemed to get tired after an hour or so. We are attending hockey games (Let’s go, Lehigh Valley Phantoms!) The Lehigh Valley Phantoms made it through the first round of the playoffs. We’re looking forward to round two!

We are keeping the first cast. My son’s family and friends all signed it. (Many twice, since a layer was added to the cast). MeLVin, the Phantoms’ mascot, signed it, too.

I am crossing my fingers that in two weeks the cast will come off. The healing of the bones has been slow. There is no point worrying, but I am hopeful the cast will come off for good.

My son is also adjusting to his new school. I think it is going well. Joining a new school three quarters into the school year isn’t perfect, but it was necessary for my family’s collective peace of mind.