So glad I found you guys!

[Singer]

Wow. I'm glad everything went well...you both look very calm!! Very best wishes to you both as you get ready for the other surgery.

[Elisa]

The nurses just rolled him over on his side and stuffed a bunch of pillows behind his back as well as some between his knees and I got to look at the dressing AND you won't believe how better his back looks already. I'll try and snap a pic when they roll him again. O_O

I did snap a pic from the front and his colour looks much better now and he is communicating really well but still dozing on and off.

Thanks Singer, I felt amazingly calm from the moment I stepped into this hospital and have not had a single anxious moment or single tear and not one Ativan. I am just amazed at this as I was sure I'd be a wreck with anxiety going through the roof but nope.

[Pooka1]

I think you both look great!

Oh wow I'm so happy this first op went so smoothly and quickly.

I'm very happy for you both!

[Elisa]

I think you both look great!

Oh wow I'm so happy this first op went so smoothly and quickly.

I'm very happy for you both!

Thanks. Elias is looking better all the time but I obviously need some sleep to get rid of those bags under my eyes.

They were just in the ward here giving away some quilts and they gave this hand-painted Spongebob one to him. Very cute and it brightens up his room, lol.

[Ballet Mom]

What a good looking kid! :-)

Glad to hear everything is going well!

[JenniferG]

He looks like an angel - but don't tell him I said that!

So happy you've got the "calm!" I guess it's much like some of us coming up to surgery, who suddenly feel calm and ready and just want to get the show on the road. The upside of having a while to wait and the ability to get thoroughly prepared and having talked about every last detail so there's nothing left to wonder about. Having a good hospital/surgeon certainly helps too.

Sending my very best wishes to you both. I'll be back regularly for updates.

[titaniumed]

Elisa

Thx for posting and the pics. You might be calm, but you must be very tired, which of course is expected. It would be a good idea to try and get some sleep.

Always remember that these people are professionals that do this stuff everyday.
Hang in there.
Ed

[leahdragonfly]

Dear Elisa,

I am so glad to hear Elias came through with flying colors! He looks very good in his photos, and I am proud of you (although not at all surprised) that you're holding up so well. I agree with Ed, though, try to get sleep tonight and let the nurses take care of Elias. You've made it through the first step!

I am really happy he is finally getting the care he needs.

Take care of yourself, and don't forget to drink plenty of water. Hospitals are so dry.

[jrnyc]

a million congratulations to both of you!
so wonderful to hear!
you must be so proud of how you both handled this...
and thrilled with the surgeons/doctors!

definitely get some rest!
you will need it...
for yourself, and to be Elias' cheerleader as well!

hope you get to sleep and catch up on your strength!

wish you more successes to come before the all the surgeries are over!

jess

[Resilience]

I wish you both the best! I am glad your son is getting the care he needs! Please take care of yourself, this will be a long journey.

[mariaf]

Elisa,

I am so relieved that the surgery went so well. I have been thinking of you guys a lot. I had no doubt that you would both come through with flying colors :-)

I was thrilled to hear you say that his back looks better already - not surprised though, Elias is in excellents hands!

My best wishes that things continue to go smoothly.

[Elisa]

Thanks everyone for thinking of us; appreciate it. Last night was a bit rough b/c Elias threw up a couple of times and that was just from drinking water. He's still on the morphine pump but if he keeps throwing up they will change his medication to something else but in the meantime they are giving him anti-nausea meds through his IV. He said his head feels as though it's being crushed but of course he's just had screws bolted to his skull. Dr. K says that feeling will go away soon, so we're hoping. His back pain is totally under control with the morphine though even if it does make him nauseous. He hasn't thrown up since around midnight last night and he seems really good overall. He wanted his teeth brushed so I did that.

Dr. K and about six other staff members came by for the daily round and said to raise the circle bed and I believe more weights will be added today when the nurse gets the official order. Elias is also to do some leg movement exercises to keep the circulation going as well. He just got turned on his side and is now comfortably sleeping. He wanted to see the bandages on his back so I snapped a couple of pics to show him. It looks good!! That right rib protrusion has gone down SO much and he still has several weeks to go in halo traction and then the second surgery to correct even more. I am so thrilled and this hospital and staff are absolutely fantastic.

[tonibunny]

WOW his back looks amazing Elisa!! How wonderful

[rohrer01]

I'm so glad everything went well. He looks really great! Well, for just having surgery. Don't forget to take care of yourself, too!

[Elisa]

WOW his back looks amazing Elisa!! How wonderful

I know! I honestly was not expecting any change at all after the first surgery considering he had a 110* curve and was very shifted to the right side which made his whole right side protrude a LOT. I can actually see a bit of saggy skin now on that side where his ribs used to be. Amazing.

This past two months that we've been waiting for surgery, he actually went from 5' 8" to 5' 7" so just in that short time he has lost 1 whole inch. I thought his back was looking worse but then I figured it might be my overactive imagination but apparently not. He had quite the rotation happening. I was pleased that we don't have to deal with any kyphotic issues as well, just the severe scoliosis. :-)

I helped him turn from his side to his back by myself while he held one hand on the bar of the circle bed: he wiggled his bum around and used his legs to push while I held on to his halo/pillow. I think it will be trickier to roll him back on his side without the nurses' help though but we are getting at least a little independence. He hasn't thrown up since last night so that's good too. Also, they're working on modifying his wheelchair and it should be ready soon. Apparently he has quite long legs for a boy.