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.

4 years old

Emily had her fourth birthday this past week and spent it with a few friends and her brother. All is well aside from a post surgical sore that we've been trying to get closed up on her back. It's finally scabbing over. Sorry to mention that amidst this wonderful pic of the party.

Thank you to the girls that came under such short notice. In fact, I think it was put together in such short time, that some invites didn't make it to their destinations. Sorry about that.

Emily has a follow up with Scottish Rite in a little over a month, if I recall correctly.

Update 12/07/2009

It's been a couple weeks since the last update. Amazing how time flies when we're either busy or things are going about as good as you can hope for, especially in Emily's case.

She's back in school and there was only one matter of concern on her first day back, at least from the teachers. They didn't want to risk anything given what she's been through and we're thankful for the attentiveness. But anyway, she had complained of her side/hip hurting after getting up from a nap and they called us. Maria Marcela went to pick her up about 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled time.

She was fine, just a little sore. She has not had to have any pain medication for the last several days, which is great.

Now we just go through the process of every 6 months getting the rods either lengthened or replaced with larger ones.

We're hoping we don't have any complications of the spinal cord to resurface. That still remains our chief concern at this point.

She and Maria Marcela plan to travel to Boston next week and will be staying 3 weeks.

Thank you everyone praying for Emily and the whole family.

X-Rays Pre and Post Veptr

These x-rays show somewhat the difference that the veptr is already providing. At the very least, you can see the two titanium rods directly screwed or bolted to her spine and ribs, which makes just now think, Maria better take the x-ray with her upon checking in at the airport next month going to Boston.

Anyway, you can follow the spine in both and see a contrast.

At this point, Emily is suffering a lot of pain in her right arm due to the surgeons having to literally remove her scapula to insert the outer brace. She's prescribed pain medicine every 4 hours. Otherwise, she's walking around, getting in and out of chairs...slowly.

It is important to report that these braces have added a full inch to her height. She's now at 35 1/2". This still puts her at about 3-4 inches under average height for her age.

Day 5 @ Scottish Rite

We're relieved to report that the surgery went as hoped for and there were no complications other than some work done on her shoulder that we were unaware was going to take place, apparently done in order for them to have access to the upper rib section.

We were warned that there could be trauma to the lungs during this ordeal, but again, there wasn't, thankfully.

As of today, all the tubes have been removed, one being through her chest, which I'm thinking to be glad I never got to see. Emily is in much better spirits, but without fail, seeking sympathy wherever it's to be had. :)

According to the surgeon, there will be one more evaluation tomorrow morning and they suspect that she will be released shortly after.

You'll probably be able to determine the before and after surgery pics to the left.