brynnski
05-17-2007, 06:49 PM
Hello to all of Brynn's wonderful NSF friends:
This is Brynn's son, Caleb, with an update on her progress.
On Tuesday (5/15) Brynn underwent over 11.5 hours of surgery (anterior and posterior correction ~T10 - L4) -- she is now a bionic woman with a straight back! The doctors said they achieved more correction than they had initially anticipated. She went from a L curve of around 60 degrees to under 25 degrees.
Now comes Brynn's long healing journey. She has been in the ICU since surgery. Within 8 hours the docs took her off of heavy sedation/breathing machine and have been largely successful at finding the right dose of pain meds. She has pain, but it has been manageable. She looks surprisingly good for someone who just underwent such a long surgery, and is already eating and drinking, speaking lucidly (including a sense of humor that keeps nurses on their toes), and sitting up with assistance. The only complication thus far has been some weakness in her left arm, between her shoulder and elbow. An MRI showed this was not a neurological condition, and would soon pass - she has been doing some strengthening exercises, and I already see a difference. Brynn will likely get to leave the ICU tonight and go to her own room!
Thank you for all of your wonderful e-mails! I read them to her today in the ICU and they made her feel great. Your collective positive thoughts have certainly helped her make it through this.
I am impressed with members of this forum for being so supportive of one another. It is also a great place to get information for people going through the experience.
When I was 14 years old, I also had spinal fusion (T6-T11; Harrington Procedure) for scoliosis at San Diego Childrens Hospital. It was a difficult thing for a kid to go through, but I had the support of my mom, family, and friends. Now, 18 years later, I am active, healthy, and have had little complications from my surgery.
I will continue to post updates as Brynn progresses. She will be back on-line as soon as she can.
Brynn sends her best wishes and gratitude!
-Caleb
This is Brynn's son, Caleb, with an update on her progress.
On Tuesday (5/15) Brynn underwent over 11.5 hours of surgery (anterior and posterior correction ~T10 - L4) -- she is now a bionic woman with a straight back! The doctors said they achieved more correction than they had initially anticipated. She went from a L curve of around 60 degrees to under 25 degrees.
Now comes Brynn's long healing journey. She has been in the ICU since surgery. Within 8 hours the docs took her off of heavy sedation/breathing machine and have been largely successful at finding the right dose of pain meds. She has pain, but it has been manageable. She looks surprisingly good for someone who just underwent such a long surgery, and is already eating and drinking, speaking lucidly (including a sense of humor that keeps nurses on their toes), and sitting up with assistance. The only complication thus far has been some weakness in her left arm, between her shoulder and elbow. An MRI showed this was not a neurological condition, and would soon pass - she has been doing some strengthening exercises, and I already see a difference. Brynn will likely get to leave the ICU tonight and go to her own room!
Thank you for all of your wonderful e-mails! I read them to her today in the ICU and they made her feel great. Your collective positive thoughts have certainly helped her make it through this.
I am impressed with members of this forum for being so supportive of one another. It is also a great place to get information for people going through the experience.
When I was 14 years old, I also had spinal fusion (T6-T11; Harrington Procedure) for scoliosis at San Diego Childrens Hospital. It was a difficult thing for a kid to go through, but I had the support of my mom, family, and friends. Now, 18 years later, I am active, healthy, and have had little complications from my surgery.
I will continue to post updates as Brynn progresses. She will be back on-line as soon as she can.
Brynn sends her best wishes and gratitude!
-Caleb