Is this pain normal?

[lnetzer]

Hello again! I would set my cell phone alarm to make sure my son had his meds all the time, when I was able to sleep. It pained me to have to wake him but the couple times I let him sleep it just wasn't worth it.

I agree that you have to be very vocal about your son's pain and meds when it comes to the doctors. They have no idea only seeing him when they do when we see what they go thru on a daily basis.

As for restrictions, my son was restricted from gym class for his entire 8th grade year (he started 8th grade 10 weeks after his surgery) and we go back on August 24 and we were told she might release that restriction for his upcoming freshman year. At our 10 month post op he was allowed to lift up to 20 pounds, up from 10 the previous visit, and he could start working with weights up to that amount. We asked about him going on some amusement rides for his class trip, when he'd be 11 months post op and that was an absolute no go. (I'm not talking roller coasters or anything, just little twirling rides or swings, it's only a local park) I was saying no myself but wanted to hear what the surgeon had to say. I know it's pretty much common sense but once these kids get to feeling better and "invincible" again, I think they want to do it all. Know that is right around the corner. This is the hardest time, but I know you will get thru it! We are all sending positive recovery vibes and good thoughts your way!

[flowerpower]

Off-topic

Christine,

I might like to do my own photo-blog, but I am not that knowledgeable on the computer. Is there a certain program or something that you start with? If I knew how to get started, I could probably have my kids help me figure out.

Renee

[Christine63]

It worked!

Whatever it was, thank you. My son is feeling a great deal better. All the steristrips came off today, he's taking less vicodin and valium, and says he feels great.

[RugbyLaura]

Great news Christine. I hope Squirt continues to feel better day by day.

[Christine63]

Just look at his face!

Today's entry in my photo blog: http://chrissysphotoaday.blogspot.co...7/7-14-07.html
What a smile! What a beautiful beautiful boy I have. It's been a long two weeks. I hope the look on his face encourages other parents and kids to keep their spirits up when the pain seems endless. He wants me to call the doctor on Monday and get permission to throw the lacrosse ball around in the front yard with his dad. That's a GOOD sign.

[flowerpower]

What a handsome boy you have! He looks great for 2 weeks post-op. Looks like he did turn that corner and hopefully its all down hill from here.

Best wishes,

Renee

[MacksMom]

Hi Chris,

I was reading about Daniel's (and your) saga and my heart goes out to both of you (and the rest of your family). My daughter was diagnosed with a 40 degree thoracolumbar curve with a 28 degree compensatory thoracic curve in late March of this year. Right now I am struggling with her to wear her Boston brace, but she is a (just-turned) 14 year old (entering 9th grade in the fall) who thinks the brace is the worst punishment I could give her. I'm lucky if I get her to wear it 15 or 16 hours a day, although she's supposed to wear it 23. I'm dreading her next doctor's visit for fear that the curves have progressed over the last 3 months.

Anyway - you mentioned Daniel was having a difficult time getting out of bed and someone on here (Carmell??) said the bed shouldn't be too high or too low. If you took it off the frame and put the mattress and box spring on the floor, would that help? Also, it may be worth it to go out and buy a cheap bedframe that's standard height (not sure how much the cost, but the mattress ads say they give them for free and it's a $30 savings or something like that). Then once he's recovered, you can go back to the antique frame. Just thought I'd make this suggestion - and someone may have already mentioned it to you.

Good luck with Daniel's continued recovery. He's a great looking kid and seems to have a good attitude.

Lisa

[Christine63]

Oh, the brace!

We have a perfectly pricey and barely worn brace in my son's closet. I think he spent a total of five hours in it. His sisters and I all tried the thing on and we understood. Anyway, two of his curves were so high up that the brace didn't help them at all. The doctor even said it wouldn't make a difference. But, I have seen pictures of how a brace HAS made a difference. The before and after pictures are striking. If it can push your daughter's curve down it will be worth it. Since her major curve is low, I'd bet that the brace will do the trick. We just got the bill from the hospital: $123,000. That doesn't even include the doctor's bill. Of course, we have insurance, but still- in the long run, if a brace does the job, it's a much better choice. I wish we'd gotten our son in a brace when he was 11 and newly diagnosed, a much more compliant age than 13 when the brace was made.

About the bed. He's much more able-bodied now, and the bed isn't a problem anymore. In hindsight, I wish I'd just gone ahead and borrowed or bought a fat fluffy Lazy-Boy recliner chair for the first two weeks of sleeping and resting. His pain still remains, but it's mostly at night and in the morning. He's down to three vicodin a day. We only have 11 left, so he'd better wean off them quickly.

I wish you and your daughter well, and I hope you hear good news with her next set of x-rays. Will that be in September? That would inspire her to continue the "punishment". I'd like to hear how things go.

Thanks for reaching out

Chris

[MacksMom]

Thanks Chris. I'll keep you posted.

We're off to Hawaii on the 29th of this month, returning August 8th. Then I'll deal with making an appointment for a second opinion with a pediatric (only) specialist. I'll take her back to her current doctor (who does both peds and adults) for a follow up appointment if I can't get the second opinion quickly.

Lisa

[Christine63]

Daniel is doing great!

He's almost off pain meds and starting to act like a normal 16-year-old: staying up late playing video games, sleeping late, going out with his girlfriend, goofing off with his sisters. He's even been swimming twice! Today marks three weeks since surgery. I uploaded this video I made to YouTube today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_9w9sXt6EM
It shows the progression of his curve, and more importantly, the progression of his sense of self.

Thanks for all your support. It's been a tough three weeks, but I can now say that we're out of the woods and into the light.

[MacksMom]

Wow Chris! What a great video. I'm going to TRY to get Mackenzie to watch it. She's so cavallier about potential scoliosis surgery - she thinks that's an easier answer than wearing the brace.

Mackenzie will definitely think Daniel's hot! Thanks so much for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes!

It's great to hear that he's doing so well!

Lisa

[sawnduzz12]

I agree, that is an amazing video!! Congratulations to your son for putting up with such pain. I had that surgery when I was 14, almost 6 years ago, and obviously no one but the people who actually go through it can imagine the pain...So I know what he's been through and what he's going through. And by the video he is doing tremendously well Congrats to him, he must be an awesome kid! And if either of you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Meg

[Christine63]

Putt Putt

Thanks, Meg.
When my son was a baby I'd make note of every small step in his growth: his first words, first steps, first time drinking from a cup... and now, I'm doing it all over again. I'm watching him come alive. Yesterday he played Putt Putt. Maybe that's a silly thing to be excited about, but it's a step on his journey. It would be a miracle if he were playing lacrosse again by spring, but from what I've seen so far in him, that miracle may not be so far fetched! How long did it take for you to be 100% again? Do you remember?
Chris

[sawnduzz12]

That's definitely something to be excited about!

As for being 100% again...let me think. Let's see, I can't remember when it was exactly, but I do remember that I had the surgery in November, and started up playing softball again and practicing for Junior Nationals end of May/beginning of June. So the miracle of him playing lacrosse might just come true! I know I was feeling close to 100% before I started playing softball, but I can't really remember how long after the surgery it was, but at least that can give you an idea I hope. And the months prior to playing softball I wasn't in pain or anything, I think it just took some getting used to the stiffness and the way I could bend and such. It was just different.

[MATJESNIC]

Christine,

You are amazing. You have no idea what this video means to me. Your son looks totally awesome. I can't believe how well his back looks. That is one of my favorite songs, as well. I will be sure to show it to Nicole. She is a couple months away from surgery.

Thank you for showing me that everything will be okay. The best of health to you and your family.