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Facing Surgery Soon-Childrens Los Angeles

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  • Facing Surgery Soon-Childrens Los Angeles

    I am new to this thread, but have found it a wealth of information. My daughter was diagnoised about 6 weeks ago after I noticed a rib hump on her back when she was sitting on the ground. She is turning 12 and has a 63 degree curve. We are facing surgery this fall in Los Angeles with Dr. Skaggs.

    As parents we are scared about what to expect. Can anyone comment on their experience at Childrens Los Angeles?

  • #2
    Welcome, Strafel. I have a 13 yo son who is also facing surgery this fall (no date yet). Because I haven't been there yet, I can't help with what to expect, but there are many on this forum who can. I'm sure there's someone from LA who has experience at Children's of Los Angeles.

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    • #3
      Hi, I don't have any experience with Children's L.A. personally, but my son had surgery at Children's San Diego and they are absolutely wonderful there. I'm sure the same holds true for the L.A. hospital. I've heard good things about Dr. Skaggs, and spoke with him once by phone a few months ago when I was inquiring about a certain procedure called vertebral stapling. What impressed me about him is that while I had called his office to ask questions, he took it upon himself to call me back personally. He seemed like a very caring dr. Best wishes to you and your daughter, I know how shocking it is to hear that your child needs surgery. You have lots of support here, any questions you have will certainly be answered by someone.

      Renee

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      • #4
        Thanks for the responses, We did also see Dr. Newton at Children's in San Diego as we live in Orange County. My daughter felt a better bond with Dr. Skaggs and his staff. He spent an hour and a half with us and just talked to my daughter directly for 30 minutes. He also gave her is cell phone number and said she could text or call him with any questions she might have. You don't see that from specialists these days. I work in pharmaceutical marketing so I pretty familar with working with physicians.

        We just finished our MRI yesterday, and are seeing Dr. Skaggs on Sept 8 to schedule our surgery.

        Rob
        Last edited by strafel; 09-04-2008, 12:01 PM. Reason: Forgot name

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        • #5
          Rob,

          I'm glad your daughter feels comfortable with Dr. Skaggs, that is so important. For him to be so readily available to answer her questions hopefully made her feel more at ease. That is awesome of him to extend himself that way. If you don't mind questions, when is he proposing surgery and what procedure (posterior, anterior, etc.) and what levels will he fuse?

          Again, best wishes to you and your daughter. You have lots of support here, any questions feel free to ask, lots of post-surgery parents here that know what you are going through and can share the hospital and post-surgery experience.

          Also, in case your interested, there is a scoliosis support group in Orange County, as well as Los Angeles and San Diego, you can google to find the websites.

          Take care,
          Renee

          Renee

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          • #6
            Thanks Renee,
            I just found out last night based on the MRI my daughter might have a syrinx or syringomyelia, causing her scoliosis. He has now refered us to a Neurosurgeon. This is really frightening. I have not done enough research yet and will post another message to see if anyone else has experience. Thanks for your prayer's...we need them.

            Rob

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            • #7
              Hi Rob,
              I'm sorry to hear your daughter needs surgery for her scoliosis. I know when I was first diagnosed it was hard...but it was even harder when I was told I needed surgery. I would hate to find out both things on the same day.
              Like Renee said, there is a chapter of the Scoliosis Association in Orange County (we meet out of Irvine Regional Hospital most of the time). We have a meeting coming up on September 9th (Tuesday) at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo from 6:00-9:00 PM. We also have a meeting at CHOC (Childrens Hospital of Orange County) on October 2nd (Thursday) from 6:30-9:00 PM.
              The meeting at Mission Hospital will cover Scoliosis and other spinal conditions. There will be an Orthopedic Spine surgeon talking about minimally invasive spinal surgery and Scoliosis Management, a Pain Management doctor talking about pain management in the adult and adolescent population and a Physical Therapist talking about PT for those with back problems.

              The CHOC Meeting will have a panel of doctors and other healthcare professionals there to answer questions about Scoliosis and the spine.
              There will be 2 Orthopedic Spine surgeons (one adult/pediatric, the other specializing in pediatric spinal orthopedics), a Psychologist, and 3 Physical Therapists.

              The Orange County chapter of the Scoliosis Association is going to be starting a "Teen Chapter" within our chapter so we can focus on topics that adolescents face that are different than those in the older population (such as bracing, school issues, etc.). If you would like more information about the teen chapter, let me know and I will send you a copy of the flier.

              Feel free to send me a private message if you want any more information about these meetings. Your daughter can also write to me if she has any specific questions. I am the teen contact/secretary for the OC Chapter, so if you would like any information, or if there is anything I can help you with let me know and I would be happy to point you in the right direction.

              Amanda

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              • #8
                I also am new to this forum. As I read your message, it was all too familiar to me. At 12 yrs. I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I had an 80* curve, almost a complete S shape. I had surgery, a Harrington rod was put in place.6 months in a 40lb. body cast. I am now 38 years old, and lived a perfectly normal life. So I want to wish you and your daughter the very best. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.

                November 5th ...is my 26 year anniversary for my surgery.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Do we still have this Orange County chapter?

                  I am wondering if we still have this OC Chapter. Can I get a little more information about it? Thank you.

                  Originally posted by CurvySAT05 View Post
                  Hi Rob,
                  I'm sorry to hear your daughter needs surgery for her scoliosis. I know when I was first diagnosed it was hard...but it was even harder when I was told I needed surgery. I would hate to find out both things on the same day.
                  Like Renee said, there is a chapter of the Scoliosis Association in Orange County (we meet out of Irvine Regional Hospital most of the time). We have a meeting coming up on September 9th (Tuesday) at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo from 6:00-9:00 PM. We also have a meeting at CHOC (Childrens Hospital of Orange County) on October 2nd (Thursday) from 6:30-9:00 PM.
                  The meeting at Mission Hospital will cover Scoliosis and other spinal conditions. There will be an Orthopedic Spine surgeon talking about minimally invasive spinal surgery and Scoliosis Management, a Pain Management doctor talking about pain management in the adult and adolescent population and a Physical Therapist talking about PT for those with back problems.

                  The CHOC Meeting will have a panel of doctors and other healthcare professionals there to answer questions about Scoliosis and the spine.
                  There will be 2 Orthopedic Spine surgeons (one adult/pediatric, the other specializing in pediatric spinal orthopedics), a Psychologist, and 3 Physical Therapists.

                  The Orange County chapter of the Scoliosis Association is going to be starting a "Teen Chapter" within our chapter so we can focus on topics that adolescents face that are different than those in the older population (such as bracing, school issues, etc.). If you would like more information about the teen chapter, let me know and I will send you a copy of the flier.

                  Feel free to send me a private message if you want any more information about these meetings. Your daughter can also write to me if she has any specific questions. I am the teen contact/secretary for the OC Chapter, so if you would like any information, or if there is anything I can help you with let me know and I would be happy to point you in the right direction.

                  Amanda

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Contact:

                    Judith Lipin , (949) 830-6068 email: judithlipin@aol.com
                    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

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