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How to help my child accept the idea of hardware inside her body??

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  • How to help my child accept the idea of hardware inside her body??

    As my family and I prepare for VBS for my daughter I am sure I will have many questions to post to this wonderful experienced group.

    Here's the first: My daughter is concerned about having the staples inside her body. Since I have no hardware myself, it's difficult for me to imagine.

    Any advice appreciated.

    Thanks!
    Resilience

    treated w Milwaukee Brace FT for 3 yrs
    currently 46 with 35 LL and 40 RT curves

    8 yr old diagnosed w Scoli 8/10 with 27 LL and 27 RT
    11/10 TLSO Full Time
    4/11 22 LL and 24 RT on waiting list for VBS at Shriners Phila
    12/11 curves still in the 20s but now has some rib cage changes from the brace
    VBS 4/25/12 with Dr. Samdani. Pre Op: 29 RT and 25 LL Post Op: 17 RT and 9 LL
    10/13: 15 RT and 10 LL

  • #2
    Hi,

    My son does not feel the staples at all. Based on parents I have spoken to, it seems these children can't even tell they are there. At least I have never heard of a child feeling the hardward the way one might be able to feel a rod. Hope this helps.

    Of course, no matter what others say, your daughter may be nervous (as each child has their own set of concerns, understandably, prior to surgery).

    I hope hearing about the experience of others is helpful to her.

    Best of luck,
    mariaf305@yahoo.com
    Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
    Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

    http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

    Comment


    • #3
      Maybe you can associate it with something she is more familiar with, like dental fillings. Even if she doesn't have any fillings, you can explain that they are permanent but can't be felt. There are other surgeries like apendectomies where the surgeon leaves behind little clips that can only be seen on x-ray but not felt. Reassure her that after she recovers from surgery, she won't feel the clips. I'm not a VBS mom, but I am a mom and that would probably be my approach. I hope this helps some and you aren't offended by me posting on your thread due to lack of my own experience with VBS. I wish all the best for you and your daughter.

      Sincerely,
      Rohrer01
      Be happy!
      We don't know what tomorrow brings,
      but we are alive today!

      Comment


      • #4
        What a great comparison to dental filings! I hadn't thought of putting it that way, but I'm sure that's something a child that age can understand.

        I hope you don't mind if I steal that line and use it in the future :-)
        mariaf305@yahoo.com
        Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
        Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

        https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

        http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

        Comment


        • #5
          I don't mind at all. That's why I mentioned it. We are here to help each other, right? Any suggestion that will help calm a child's fear is worth using. I'm just glad you like it. :-) I'm just so leary about offending people lately by posting on threads that don't necessarily pertain to me. I got chewed by someone for it and feel really bad. :-(
          Be happy!
          We don't know what tomorrow brings,
          but we are alive today!

          Comment


          • #6
            I absolutely agree. Your intention was clearly to help, and that's all that matters. Someone once told me as long as your heart is in the right place, and YOU know it, don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

            I had posted to Resilience on the VBS site that David doesn't feel his staples, but thought I would reply here too in case another parent sees it and it might be of help to them - because as you say, helping others is why we are here in the first place :-)
            mariaf305@yahoo.com
            Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
            Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

            https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

            http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks for the well wishes and creative idea. Just as I thought, someone not as stressed as I am would have some great insight. Appreciated.
              Resilience

              treated w Milwaukee Brace FT for 3 yrs
              currently 46 with 35 LL and 40 RT curves

              8 yr old diagnosed w Scoli 8/10 with 27 LL and 27 RT
              11/10 TLSO Full Time
              4/11 22 LL and 24 RT on waiting list for VBS at Shriners Phila
              12/11 curves still in the 20s but now has some rib cage changes from the brace
              VBS 4/25/12 with Dr. Samdani. Pre Op: 29 RT and 25 LL Post Op: 17 RT and 9 LL
              10/13: 15 RT and 10 LL

              Comment


              • #8
                You're most welcome! I hope it works... :-)
                Be happy!
                We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                but we are alive today!

                Comment

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