Plans for Next Surgery

Week before last, Emily was seen by a series of doctors at Scottish Rite hospital in Dallas where we had discussion about her condition. We were finally able to see x-rays for the first time to prove what we all had long since suspected. I suppose we were a little in denial of the fact that her ribs and spine were so malformed. The evidence was clear though. On one side, she had all her ribs in somewhat of a normal fashion. However, the other side revealed a batch of ribs, maybe 4 or 5 all fused together in one mangled mess and then at the bottom, missing about 4 ribs altogether.

The doctors are not wanting to be too hasty in proceeding I've mentioned previously, but, at the same time, it's prudent to begin correcting her crooked little body as soon as possible, particularly in this crucial growing and development stage.

According to the doctor's comments this week, he is going to try and schedule her for surgery as soon as he can fit her in, maybe within the next month. They will afix her with a contraption called the veptr. I have copied a photo a model in which the ribcage is malformed. This one does not really look like Emily's. Her's is somewhat worse. The illustration shows the veptr that will be attached directly to her ribs and spine, beneath the skin.

And thus begins the agony of correction. More than likely a surgery at 6 month intervals until who knows when.

Here's a link to information regarding the veptr:

http://veptr.com/

I forgot to mention and I had wanted to write about this right after we met with a 19 year old young woman going to Texas State University, I believe. Anyway, she and her mother came over a couple of weeks ago to discuss her going through similar ordeal and all the surgeries. I forget how many she said she had, but I want to say 34. I should ask her if she minds me mentioning her name or posting a pic of her before I do so. It was a great visit.