Our initial consultaion was yesterday, 10/30. It went very well.
You know how when you think of something enough, you have a vision in your head of what it will be like? Well, this was nothing like what I had imagined. In my mind, based on the knowledge that Shriner's is a free hospital and on some reports I had gotten from other people, I was imagining a very large hospital, mostly white and stark. Kind of chaotic, crowded, disorganized... Well, it couldn't have been more different. Shriner's in Chicago is a very small hospital - two stories; but only one is visible from street level. Dave and I drove right by it! There were about 5 cars in the parking lot. I was sure we'd be greeted by someone at an information booth who didn't know why we were there and wasn't really helpful. Instead, we were greeted at the door by two nurses who wanted us to sanitize our hands and interogated us about the health of our family in the last 7 days - Thank you, H1N1! The lobby was bright, clean and very quiet.
They did new x-rays. Her curve had not progressed, but the doctor was convinced it was because we had her in the brace. In hindsight, we should have kept her out of the brace for the past week so they could get an accurate idea of what's going on. We will keep her out of the brace until Tuesday, and they will do one more film just to see the true starting point.
Although her curve hadn't progressed, he was very concerned about an angle he referred to as the "Mehta angle". It's my understanding that he was looking at the outside height of her ribs - as compared to one another. Apparently, this is angle is predictive of a progressive curve. Makenna's was pretty high, so he felt like casting would indeed be the best option right now. So, they scheduled us for Tuesday. We will arrive at the hospital at 6 am and wait for her turn. She is the fourth cast that day. She will be under anesthesia, so she will need to recover and do the normal eating, drinking, and peeing before we are allowed to leave.
I have been in contact with several moms who have already been through this, and they have given me great advice on what to expect and things to stock up on. I feel blessed to have found that resource. I have also talked with another mom whose son will be casted that day as well. He is on his 3rd or 4th cast, so she's a pro and will be there the whole morning to guide me through it.
I do understand that the relief I feel will only be followed by new challenges and different adversities, but we will adapt as we always have. I've said it before, and I firmly believe it - kids are resilient and kids who have struggles are blessed with an amazing spirit. I know Makenna will struggle, but I also know she will cope and handle the change much better than I will. I just have to keep reminding myself of that, so that I can copy some of her strength. Dave and I have already discussed that no matter how hard it is for us to watch her adjust to the cast, it is so important that we not show her our concerns, or sorrow, or frustration.
We also discussed with the doctor and must acknowledge, that the research and results have only been documented on kids with plain idiopathic infantile scoliosis. The fact that Makenna may have an underlying genetic condition causing the scoliosis, makes it hit or miss. There is not guarantee that it will work as well as the data shows on the other kids. But it could work. And that's the hope we hold on to. We have to.
Thank you all for your love and support along the way.
You know how when you think of something enough, you have a vision in your head of what it will be like? Well, this was nothing like what I had imagined. In my mind, based on the knowledge that Shriner's is a free hospital and on some reports I had gotten from other people, I was imagining a very large hospital, mostly white and stark. Kind of chaotic, crowded, disorganized... Well, it couldn't have been more different. Shriner's in Chicago is a very small hospital - two stories; but only one is visible from street level. Dave and I drove right by it! There were about 5 cars in the parking lot. I was sure we'd be greeted by someone at an information booth who didn't know why we were there and wasn't really helpful. Instead, we were greeted at the door by two nurses who wanted us to sanitize our hands and interogated us about the health of our family in the last 7 days - Thank you, H1N1! The lobby was bright, clean and very quiet.
They did new x-rays. Her curve had not progressed, but the doctor was convinced it was because we had her in the brace. In hindsight, we should have kept her out of the brace for the past week so they could get an accurate idea of what's going on. We will keep her out of the brace until Tuesday, and they will do one more film just to see the true starting point.
Although her curve hadn't progressed, he was very concerned about an angle he referred to as the "Mehta angle". It's my understanding that he was looking at the outside height of her ribs - as compared to one another. Apparently, this is angle is predictive of a progressive curve. Makenna's was pretty high, so he felt like casting would indeed be the best option right now. So, they scheduled us for Tuesday. We will arrive at the hospital at 6 am and wait for her turn. She is the fourth cast that day. She will be under anesthesia, so she will need to recover and do the normal eating, drinking, and peeing before we are allowed to leave.
I have been in contact with several moms who have already been through this, and they have given me great advice on what to expect and things to stock up on. I feel blessed to have found that resource. I have also talked with another mom whose son will be casted that day as well. He is on his 3rd or 4th cast, so she's a pro and will be there the whole morning to guide me through it.
I do understand that the relief I feel will only be followed by new challenges and different adversities, but we will adapt as we always have. I've said it before, and I firmly believe it - kids are resilient and kids who have struggles are blessed with an amazing spirit. I know Makenna will struggle, but I also know she will cope and handle the change much better than I will. I just have to keep reminding myself of that, so that I can copy some of her strength. Dave and I have already discussed that no matter how hard it is for us to watch her adjust to the cast, it is so important that we not show her our concerns, or sorrow, or frustration.
We also discussed with the doctor and must acknowledge, that the research and results have only been documented on kids with plain idiopathic infantile scoliosis. The fact that Makenna may have an underlying genetic condition causing the scoliosis, makes it hit or miss. There is not guarantee that it will work as well as the data shows on the other kids. But it could work. And that's the hope we hold on to. We have to.
Thank you all for your love and support along the way.