Surgery tomorrow. Did the pre-op today. Same deal as for the other kid... a radiograph, some explaining, and some paperwork signing. Willow was asked to sign the papers also which I thought was a great touch!
The curve did not move measurably in the last month. That said, it was moving about 4-5 degrees a month over the previous six months so it could have moved that much and still be in the measurement noise.
Bending over like crazy she just about levels L2. So he will decide on the table whether to stop at L1 or L2.
I asked if he is sticking with the original diagnosis of AIS given we have a diagnosis of hypermobility which may or may not be a placeholder for Marfans. He didn't answer directly and only responded that the treatment is the same (which I knew). He had previously told me he doesn't think my kids have Marfan's and may continue to think so. In that case, it has to be AIS officially I guess. On the paperwork for school, he just wrote "scoliosis." If I had to bet my house I would say they do not have AIS but rather scoliosis related to a connective tissue disorder. Of course he's the surgeon and I am not!
The school asked me to fill out the homebound paperwork despite the fact that she will likely return before the 4-week trigger time. I never did this paperwork with the other kid because the written material I was given said most kids return before the 4-weeks. And indeed my kid did return before that time.
On this paperwork, he indicated an anticipated convalescence period of 6 weeks not because she will likely need 6 weeks but just so homebound can kick in if she does need it past 4 weeks.
He also wrote 10/12/09 as the recommended start date for return to school. That is only 6 days from her surgery and she will NOT be back at school by then. I think he indicated that so the school will allow her back as early as she is ready to go back. Or he may mean it is okay for tutoring to start then. Not sure.
Willow is looking forward to getting this behind her as are we all. As I mentioned before, I am way more off the ledge compared to last time after seeing the other kid recover and her results. She looks and feels normal. That is a far cry from her condition going into surgery, believe you me. My confidence in the surgeon at this point is off the top end of the scale. He will be assisted by a fourth year resident. Willow feels ready and I feel ready... a very good way to proceed I think.
The curve did not move measurably in the last month. That said, it was moving about 4-5 degrees a month over the previous six months so it could have moved that much and still be in the measurement noise.
Bending over like crazy she just about levels L2. So he will decide on the table whether to stop at L1 or L2.
I asked if he is sticking with the original diagnosis of AIS given we have a diagnosis of hypermobility which may or may not be a placeholder for Marfans. He didn't answer directly and only responded that the treatment is the same (which I knew). He had previously told me he doesn't think my kids have Marfan's and may continue to think so. In that case, it has to be AIS officially I guess. On the paperwork for school, he just wrote "scoliosis." If I had to bet my house I would say they do not have AIS but rather scoliosis related to a connective tissue disorder. Of course he's the surgeon and I am not!
The school asked me to fill out the homebound paperwork despite the fact that she will likely return before the 4-week trigger time. I never did this paperwork with the other kid because the written material I was given said most kids return before the 4-weeks. And indeed my kid did return before that time.
On this paperwork, he indicated an anticipated convalescence period of 6 weeks not because she will likely need 6 weeks but just so homebound can kick in if she does need it past 4 weeks.
He also wrote 10/12/09 as the recommended start date for return to school. That is only 6 days from her surgery and she will NOT be back at school by then. I think he indicated that so the school will allow her back as early as she is ready to go back. Or he may mean it is okay for tutoring to start then. Not sure.
Willow is looking forward to getting this behind her as are we all. As I mentioned before, I am way more off the ledge compared to last time after seeing the other kid recover and her results. She looks and feels normal. That is a far cry from her condition going into surgery, believe you me. My confidence in the surgeon at this point is off the top end of the scale. He will be assisted by a fourth year resident. Willow feels ready and I feel ready... a very good way to proceed I think.
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