AngL's blog: "My Niece"

Surgery was a success!  (so far)  The two procedures lasted a total of about 7.5 hours from start to finish.  The had to go in on her right side (underarm) move the heart and lung out of the way and remove 5 discs from her spine.  (They had begun to fuse together with the progression of the Scoliosis rendering her spine 'not flexible' for the second procedure)  That procedure lasted about 1.5 hours.  The rest of the surgery was to go in through her back, realign her spine using pins, rods, and screws (from what was told to me) to reduce the curvature of 80+% to around 20-25%.  The whole surgery was a true success.  She was sent to recovery where my sister and brother-in-law were able to go in and see her when they woke her up.  She was saying she felt 'sore' but that was it.. and then complained she was hungry :)   She is currently in PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) where she was expected to be for about 48-72 hours, however, based on her responses to everything from the surgery to recovery to the PICU, she may actually be in a regular room tomorrow afternoon.. :)  Awesome!!!  Thank you to all who kept her in your thoughts and prayers. 

With Much Love To All...

~AngL~

My niece is scheduled to have surgery in the morning.  Her Scoliosis has progressed to over 80% curvature of the spine.  What would have been a correction of the spine has now become a matter of just making sure she wont go into a wheel chair.  The surgery now will consist of her heart and lungs having to be moved out of the way completely for them to be able to take the 80%+ curvature and reduce it to 20-25%.  She will be in surgery for at least 8 hours now.  It was only supposed to take about 4 hrs and cut in the back to correct the 60% curvature.. now.. its worse.  :(  Please tomorrow, if you could... give her a thought please.  She just turned 11 when she found out in February about the Scoliosis.  She will be in PICU for at least 3 days they said.. not to mention now in the hospital overall about 14 days.. I have had people tell me they would be there for me with this, but if you could please.. find it in your heart to give her that moment, in thought and prayer if you pray.. That is all I ask. 

Thank you for your time. 

*Alyssa - I love you sweetie.. you will make it through this!!*

Just over two weeks ago, my niece was visiting her grandparents and they noticed a hump on her shoulder.  This bothered my sister so, the next day, Monday, she took her to the doctor.  The doctor confirmed, my 10 yr old niece has Moderate/Severe Scoliosis.  They sent her to get the round of x-rays and bloodwork.  She was referred to the orthopedic in another city at the Childrens Hospital.  They got in to see him this past Friday.  This doctor confirmed the severity of her case of Scoliosis.  According to the doctor, her only real option for as normal a life as possible, is surgery.  I am unsure of what extent the surgery will be, but it will be a long recovery for her based on the severity and procedures.  The surgery is scheduled for May and the school is going to provide in home tutoring for her once she comes home from the hospital.  Which the stay is to be approximately 8-10 days.  They are estimating that for about a year my niece will be limited in activities, won't be able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk.  So not to make the screws come loose and cause more surgery.  It will be a long road, and for my sister who has had so much to deal with in recent years that is still happening, I am amazed how strong she is, but in the end, this is her little girl.  My niece turned 11 years old on the 7th of February. 

Please keep them in your thoughts as they deal with this and make it through stronger than before!

Thank you!

*AngL*