So glad I found you guys!

[Elisa]

You don't need to click on 'follow' you just have to click on the link. Did you try the direct link I just posted? If that doesn't work then maybe someone else who is more computer savvy than me can help? I'd sure like you guys here to be able to view my blog b/c you've all been so helpful in getting Elias and me to this point and I want those who are interested to at least be able to view updates as his first surgery is on Tuesday! :-(

[Pooka1]

You don't need to click on 'follow' you just have to click on the link. Did you try the direct link I just posted? If that doesn't work then maybe someone else who is more computer savvy than me can help? I'd sure like you guys here to be able to view my blog b/c you've all been so helpful in getting Elias and me to this point and I want those who are interested to at least be able to view updates as his first surgery is on Tuesday! :-(

Spiny Mouse, I can read the blog and even comment as far as I can tell.

What I wanted was to get updates as soon as you post them coming directly to my email. I thought that was the purpose of "Follow."

Now that you are in Portland, I will add the blog url to my banner so I can easily get to it every day with one click.

[Elisa]

Oh okay then. I think if you click on the RSS Feed at the top of the page you'll be able to sign up to have updates sent to your email. This is the first blog I've done so I'm not really sure how that actually works. I've been updating each day with this and that and random stuff but will update with the actual medical journey starting tomorrow when we see the surgeon again. Meanwhile, I've got some cute kitty pics on there, some good old fashion 70's rock videos and of course now and then total bashing of BC Medical/BC Children's Hospital complete with grenades, lol.

[Pooka1]

Meanwhile, I've got some cute kitty pics on there, some good old fashion 70's rock videos and of course now and then total bashing of BC Medical/BC Children's Hospital complete with grenades, lol.

You're a hoot!

[Elisa]

You're a hoot!

Whoo whoo whoo!

[titaniumed]

Elisa
I noticed the Wings video with Linda McCartney.....brought back memories of a Berkeley, Ca concert I attended in March 1990. There were about 4 million people in and around the stadium since it was the first tour since the 70s and rumors of retirement were circulating at that point. The show was predictable as always with McCartney, never a bad show.

It looks as if we will have a record winter this season. The models are predicting more storms here into April. Funny, I never skied radioactive powder before....just kidding. Flowers are a long way off in the Sierra’s.

Toni,
Truckee, California is a mecca for climbers. There is plenty of that kind of action here and also down at Yosmite.

LOL I used to rig up a fishing rod with a catnip ball and “cast for kitty” if you know what I mean. I could never reel him in, he was just too heavy. You would need a salt water setup for that. I did this from my recliner chair in my living room.

Ed

[Elisa]

We just finished the pre-op and tour and we're staying in one of the 'penthouse' suits for tonight only and it is quite nice with an amazing view of the city. I'll have to get some pics up later on.

Spoke to all the people we needed to speak to and everything was explained in detail to both of us regarding both surgeries, halo traction and the hospital stay. Everyone was very nice, helpful and so professional. The whole hospital is beautiful and the patient rooms are amazing: clean, bright, cheery, private bath, TV and the same view as up here on the 7th. floor except on the 3rd. Looks more like a hotel than a hospital. :-)

Dr. K will be speaking with us tomorrow morning but we did talk to another doctor who will assist him with the surgery and Elias IS having both a posterior release and posterior fusion as the letter stated.

Got his hair cut super short... buzzed... it looks great!

We have to be down on the 3rd. floor by 5:30 AM tomorrow and surgery is scheduled for 7:00 AM and will last approximately 4 hours.

[Pooka1]

Wow glad you like the digs!

And very glad you have had everything explained.

1,000 well wishes for Elias!

[jrnyc]

i know you guys will sail thru this whole thing...
then, way later, you will look back and marvel at how well everything went!

great job on your scoli diary with your son...very impressive!

wishing you all the luck and great surgeon's skills in the world!

jess

[Elisa]

Thanks Pooka, hdugger and Jess and yes I'm having fun with my 'diary' and it gives me something to do during this whole ordeal as well as it's a great way for my family/friends to keep up with things and it's easier than emailing or phoning. Besides, you guys are the ones that got us here and we sure do appreciate that. Don't even want to think where we'd be without all your help.

Oh, I should also mention that the doctor who will be assisting Dr. K tomorrow had a really good look at Elias' back and says the reason he isn't doing an anterior release is b/c Elias isn't kyphotic, he just has scoliosis with a large curve with a significant rotation and the stretchmarks are definitely caused by his skin stretching to accommodate the rotation. Also his breathing tests came back 'pretty good'... somewhere around 90% or something like that.

[Elisa]

It’s finally here. Elias will be having his first surgery and halo applied. At the moment I feel totally fine and feel more excited than anything else which is a little odd b/c I had envisioned this day to be full of fear and anxiety but I’m not feeling that at all and am feeling relieved that he is FINALLY going to get the care he needs and deserves; something that he did NOT get back in his own province/country which is very sad and shameful really.

I’ve been awake since 3:30 AM and really didn’t sleep all that well and could definitely pull the covers over my head and get all comfy but it’s already past 4:00 now and I don’t want to sleep in as we have to head down to the third floor by 5:30 and Elias needs to shower with a special antibacterial body wash first. He’s sound asleep right now and I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult to wake him up b/c this is really early for him. He’ll probably be a bit grumpy and he won’t be able to eat or drink anything and I know he’ll miss having his morning tea. I’m dying for a coffee!

I’ll get to talk with Dr. Krajbich (surgeon) this morning but all my questions were answered yesterday while talking with the rest of the team that I can’t really think of anything else that I need to ask. Maybe he’ll have more information for me, we’ll see.

My sister and her husband will be at the hospital at 9:30 AM to hang out with me while Elias has his surgery. It is so tranquil here, not many kids at all, lots of staff and everything has such a sense of peacefulness, not at all like regular hospitals that are so noisy and bustling.

So far Elias has been his normal sweet self and has not had an anxious moment but that could change when they start to prepare him for surgery but they will be giving him some Valium first to keep him relaxed. I’m sure he’s going to feel a little bit anxious when he sees all the equipment, medical staff in full gear, IV and other tubes and such he’ll have put on him. It was thoroughly explained to him yesterday though and the nurse even had a doll that she used to demonstrate every little detail, except the catheter, she didn’t go into detail about that, just that he didn’t have to bother to get up to go to the bathroom and that that was all taken care of. That’s all the info he wanted/needed to know anyway.

So, we’re finally here, YAY!!

[Pooka1]

He’ll probably be a bit grumpy and he won’t be able to eat or drink anything and I know he’ll miss having his morning tea.

??? Didn't they tell you to not let him eat or drink for 12 hours prior to surgery????

Oh nevermind! I misundertsood. I think you mean he is not allowed to eat/drink, not that he won't be able to because it is too early for him in the morning or something.

I just got a little alarmed there. Sorry.

[Elisa]

??? Didn't they tell you to not let him eat or drink for 12 hours prior to surgery????

Oh nevermind! I misundertsood. I think you mean he is not allowed to eat/drink, not that he won't be able to because it is too early for him in the morning or something.

I just got a little alarmed there. Sorry.

He wasn't to eat or drink anything past midnight last night, and he hasn't. He's just thirsty in the morning and will miss drinking his herbal tea. ;-)

Ohh, look at the time... gotta get the boy up and showered. Will check back in later!

[tonibunny]

Have got everything crossed for Elias, and for you too! xx

[Elisa]

Surgery went really well!

Elias’ surgery started at 8:45 AM and ended around 11:15 AM I think; not as long as the 4 hrs. it was scheduled for. Everything went really well and he is back in his room in his circle bed with his halo on. The weights started at 12lb and already is up to 15lb.

While Dr. K was performing the posterior release he also went ahead and put in 2 pedicle screws at the apex b/c things were going so well. He is sleeping comfortably at the moment, can move fingers and toes and knows how to press the morphine pump. His mouth is very dry so he has little pink foam lollipop type things that can be moistened and then his mouth swabbed.

And I did really well too... not a single tear! I was so ready and prepared for this. I do look a little tired though but not stressed. :-)