So glad I found you guys!

[Elisa]

Here's the x-rays from September 2010.

[Elisa]

We have passports!!

Picked up our passports from the post office today. They came early too which was a nice surprise. I did tell the lady at Service Canada that we weren't going on holidays, we were going down to the US for medical reasons for our son and she seemed very sympathetic so perhaps she put a note on them, not sure but they are here!

Talked with the Shriner's lady today and got a better understanding of our itinerary and we'll be heading over to Vancouver/Burnaby on January 18th. and will spend the night here: http://www.accentinns.com/burnaby

Will then have an early breakfast the next morning and board the big Care Cruiser Coach and leave by 8:30am. The drive would be 506 km - about 5 hours 19 mins and up to 6 hours 20 mins in traffic. Not sure where we're staying in Portland yet.

Then our appointment is the next morning on January 20th. at 8:15 am and will be 3-5 hours long and then back on the bus to Vancouver/Burnaby and back at the Accent Inn Hotel, then the next morning, on the ferry and back to Vancouver Island.

I can't wait! It's like a mini holiday. =)

[leahdragonfly]

It's getting close Elisa

Hi Elisa,

I have been thinking of you and your son as your date finally draws near. Glad to hear you found out a bit more about your itinerary.

I would love to met up with you but alas I actually live 2 hours south of Portland. Hopefully it will be a good day for us both--it is supposed to be my first day back to work after my surgery, which I have some mixed feelings about.

I have a friend who had scoliosis surgery with Dr d'Amato done several years ago--her back looks great and she was very happy with the care she received at the Portland Shriners. She was 17 when she had her surgery.

How are you doing with your list of questions? I know it's hard to think of them (or narrow them down) when you are not quite sure what you will be told.

Take care, and I will look forward to hearing all about your trip and appointment. Thank goodness for Shriners.

Gayle

[Elisa]

Thanks Gayle. No worries that you can't meet up with me but I doubt I'll be meeting up with anyone this trip anyway b/c we only have the Wednesday evening in Portland, then first thing the next morning is our 3-5 hour appointment and then it's back on the bus to head back up across the border.

I honestly haven't got any specific questions that I can think of until I actually get a full and proper diagnosis and then I'm sure I'll have tonnes. If you guys have some questions for me, you could post them here and I'll write them down though.

Good to know you know someone who had scoliosis surgery at Shriner's and that it turned out well. That is encouraging.

I have been worrying about getting those passports on time and it was stressing me out a bit but it's a big relief actually getting them today. I have all the paperwork that I need now which makes me feel much more relaxed. And now that I know my itinerary for the most part, I can start planning for that, taking time off work, contacting my son's school and getting all my seven chinchillas taken care off and stocked up with everything they need so all my husband has to do is check on them and top up a few food/water dishes and hay and of course he has to give them their oat treat/supplement every night and talk to them in baby talk and kiss them.... okay I know he won't do any of that, haha.

I haven't been online in about a week b/c I was visiting my sister whose health is very bad right now as well as my dad who has Alzheimer's has been taken out of his own home and into the psych ward for observation b/c he had a bit of a freak out. He won't be going back home unfortunately and they are waiting for a place to come up where he will have nursing care. It is so sad. So much going on right now unfortunately.

[Pooka1]

Spiny Mouse,

Make sure you don't leave there without understanding the balance between growth and potential for curve progression SPECIFICALLY in your son's case and not just in general. I think they will explain this to you but it is important that you understand because I think they might include you in the treatment decision and timing.

I am guessing they will try to determine his skeletal maturity with as much accuracy as possible. It could be they do it from the spine films or they may do it from a hand/wrist radiograph.

[Elisa]

Excellent question Pooka, and it is now my question #1.

Gayle, forgot to say: YES, thank goodness for the wonderful and generous people at Shriners. I honestly don't know what I'd do without them b/c we have not yet heard back from BC Children's. I'm still in disbelief the Shriners are footing the bill for absolutely everything: transportation, accommodation, food and of course medical expenses. Wow, just wow. They're definitely going to be my number one charity to support.

[Elisa]

I'm getting so excited about heading down to Portland as it's getting so close now. We will be picked up on Tuesday morning between 8-8:30 am here in Campbell River, will drive the two hours to Nanaimo and catch the noon ferry across to the mainland which is about a two hour ferry ride. Talked to the Shriner lady today and she said we'd be staying at this hotel in Portland: http://www.portlanderinn.com/ Did I just read they had a 24-hour video arcade!? O_o

Can't wait for a diagnosis and answers FINALLY!

[Pooka1]

Hey Spiny Mouse,

I just wanted to tell you that I admire you for keeping your good humor throughout this run up to see the orthopedic surgeon. It's a very nerve-wracking time. I think you are a cool customer and that will stand you in very good stead for mastering the medical details to come.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Best regards,
Sharon

[Elisa]

Thanks for you kind words Sharon; appreciate it much.

I am so lucky I think to have been able to keep my sense of humour pretty much through most things in my life and I have my mom and dad to thank for that b/c we were brought up to never take ourselves or situations too seriously. I am pleased that our kids tend to be the same way too which does make things a lot easier in life. Like I said before, I never say: "why me?" rather, "why not me?" No one is entitled to a perfect life and there is no such thing anyway so why expect that.

So I have a son with a very crooked back... could be a whole lot worse and I am glad we're only dealing with scoliosis and not some other life threatening disease that you wouldn't know if your child would live to see the next day or hour. That would be so much more agonizing.

I am just so absolutely grateful to these wonderful Shriner people for not only helping us out in our time of dire need but are being so generous about the whole affair. It's just jaw dropping. I have no idea how I am going to repay these people but I'll think of something. Maybe I'll write an article to our local newspaper similar to one that I read a while back: "Overwhelmed by Shriner's Generosity" and probably buy one of those tickets they sell to New Year's Day brunch with lotsa drinks, lol.

[foofer]

I agree about your great attitude, Elise. Your kid will always remember how you were excited and grateful about all the details and nuances of this trip.

[Elisa]

I'm working as much as possible right now b/c I'm taking five or six days off next week as well as I have to get things organized around the hotel so the girls will have everything they need to get things done while I'm gone. It also helps to make the time go by faster b/c Tuesday is dragging.

I've never left my chinchillas or kitties for this long before and I know the kitties will be fine b/c my husband is a cat person and is the one to feed and care for them for the most part but the chinchillas are strictly mine and he has pretty much zero interest in them. All five HUGE cages have to be cleaned before we go as well as I have to make sure all their food, hay and water is topped up which will last two days max so he'll have to go in and replenish everything. Mostly they will miss getting out for their nightly runabout and dust baths but I'll make sure he gives them their oat treat/supplement. I miss them already. =(

Looking forward to getting off this rock and across the border. My son has never been to the US so he's really excited about that. He needs a haircut and could use some new runners otherwise he will certainly look like a charity case, lol.

Appreciate all the help and encouragement I've received from this site.

[Pooka1]

Well, I have used a pig sitter when we go on vacation. I only had four pigs then and had a great sitter.

Could you find a teenage girl who loved rodents to come each day to take care of them?

[Elisa]

Unfortunately I do not know any pet sitters up here but if we were still in Victoria I'd definitely know a few. I will send him relentless text messages reminding him to check on them and to make sure they have everything they need. He doesn't know how to text back so it will be a constant stream of instructions on my part. Why do I think he's gonna turn his phone off eh, lol.

I plan on bringing my laptop with me so I'll be able to give updates to y'all and am anxious to let you all know what the docs think and what the plan of action will be.

Can't wait til Tuesday! We better not get snowed in here otherwise we won't be able to drive to the ferry which is two hours south. >_<

[Elisa]

One more day! Will be leaving CR by 8:30 am tomorrow morning to head over to the mainland and then down to Portland Wednesday and the big appointment will be on Thursday. I've been getting everything all ready around the house as well as tie up some loose ends here and there. I decided to get additional medical insurance while we're in the US b/c although the bus is insured, nothing else is and with my luck I'll slip on a banana peel on the street and wind up in the hospital with a messed up back again.

Yesterday I went out to look for a nice new duffel bag and came out with a beautiful piece of luggage instead b/c the shop had most of their luggage on sale for 70% off: regular $230 for $69! I was so excited that I couldn't remember any of the other stuff I needed so I have to go back today and this time I'm bringing a list, lol.

My son gets his hair cut at 2:15 this afternoon and other than that I'm packed and ready to go. And no I haven't forgotten the passports, haha!

Have been working on getting all my critters cleaned, organized and ready to be looked after by my husband and he assures me he will take good care of them.

It's an absolutely beautiful sunny day here on the Island and I can't forget my sunglasses for the ferry ride. 0_0

[leahdragonfly]

Wonderful, Elisa, I am so happy for you that the big day is just about here.

Don't forget the CD's either, if they weren't already sent ahead! I did that once.

Have a safe trip, and please do let us know how it all goes. I'll be thinking of you.

p.s. did you ever learn which physician you are seeing?


Take care,

Gayle