6 years old today!

Emily has turned 6 today. Hard to believe that she's been with us almost 4 years. She's growing up!

Next Surgery Scheduled

I'm sorry to all that I have not kept up with this blog. I received a nudge the other day to post more info and keep everything current. Thank you Ellie. :)

Anyway, Emily is set to go in for a "routine" lengthening of her titanium rods on February 3rd. We hope it is just that...routine.

One thing we're concerned about right now is that we recently heard from the neurologist who wants to see her again. What this means is the possibility and concern of her spinal cord fusing back to the vertebra.

We're going in March, I believe to get the MRI/x-rays and such to determine the situation there. Your prayers are much appreciated that this is not happening because another surgery in that area could have serious long term repercussions.

Post Surgery - 5/24/2011

We're happy to report that all went well today and they were able to replace one of the sections of the rods that had reached its limit. Emily experienced some tummy discomfort, but she appears to be pulling through pretty well. Certainly some sensitivity in our back and soreness.

We have a lot of visitors since the staff here is very accommodating. Also a volunteer named Jay Mack stopped by with a guitar and serinaded Emily with "Wheels on the Bus" and then they sang a duet of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

She's working with some crafts now and we're getting ready to order dinner. Hopefully only one more night, but not saying it's a bad place here, just there's no place like home.

I'm attaching a pic of the piece of titanium rod that was removed from her for show and tell.

Surgery #5 - Monday, May 23, 2011

It's been a while since our last post and it seems as though Emily's surgeries have dictated the timing of our updates to the blog. We really should change that. But it just goes to show you when our awareness is heightened to our vulnerabilities. Thus the need to reach out to our families and friends and appeal to you for your prayers that all goes just the way our Creator would have it.

We're giving mommy a break this go around and daddy has checked in with Emily to the Dallas Scottish Rite for a scheduled surgery to replace one of the two titanium rods that has reached its maximum length. The other rod on the spine is still long enough to just simply be lengthened. I have requested of the doctor to give us the piece of the rod to take home and show to those interested in exactly what Emily has inside of her. We'll see if they actually end up giving it to us.

Anyway, we checked in this morning with first getting the routine of x-rays, weight checks, photography and observation by the staff. We're now in our room for the night and Emily's dinner was just delivered in which she chose fish sticks, apple sauce, tomato soup, chocolate milk and strawberry ice cream.

In the meantime, we're watching news reports of the terrible storms that went through Joplin, Missouri in which winds were measured around 200 mph, which is just unheard of. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those. The devastation is unreal.

We'll keep the blog updated with the results of her surgery tomorrow.

Post Surgery Follow Up

Emily had a follow up appointment at Scottish Rite this past Wednesday adding two more x-rays to her tally.

The opinion was that she is doing great and the veptr appears to be successfully doing its job. The outlook was to do another inspection in February with another surgery planned in April. This surgery will require lengthening one rod and replacing another since it is near its maximum expansion point.

On a different note, Emily has started taking violin lessons and the instructor tells us that she took to the violin so well that, in her first lesson, she picked up where it's taking others to learn in 5 lessons.

She came home showing daddy how to hold, play and read music. Amazing.

Day after Surgery, Wednesday, August 26, 2010

The surgery seems to have gone well. And of course it usually takes twice as long as originally told it will take. But Emily was in true form yesterday and it looks as though she and Maria Marcela will be coming home later today.

This might be a record for short amount of time spent in the hospital other than having tests run.

Next Surgery - Tuesday, August 24

I've allowed too much time to lapse since last update, but then again, it's been a tumultuous year.

In any event, Emily has been doing great. The greatest news is the MRI results showing that her spinal cord doesn't show signs of fusing.

This enables us to go forward with Monday's next surgery to extend the titanium supports, which, I will add, is greatly needed due to her growth spurt.

She is finally ON the growth chart and showing to be in the 10 percentile of children her age. So, she's still small for her age, but at least she's on the chart.

Tomorrow is a big day for all of us with her surgery and Andrew starting 1st grade at a new school. Actually, Emily's surgery is Tuesday, but she's being admitted tomorrow for pre-op.

We'll hope to keep you posted on everything.