So glad I found you guys!

[JenniferG]

It's incredibly heart-warming to read your posts and see the pictures of Elias. We all love a happy ending, but this one has been amazing.

[Pooka1]

Spiny mouse,

Great pictures! And congratulations on the milestone.

[Elisa]

Thanks Jennifer and Sharon. Seeing Elias smile and being straight and not in pain is all I ever wanted. Nothing could make me happier... nothing. It's the best gift ever.

[Elisa]

Finally got 'the' call!

Yes, BC Children's Hospital finally called (after 1.5 years on the wait list) for an update on Elias' scoliosis. Looks like we can head to Vancouver to see Dr. Riley and the gang over there to correct his 110 degree curve. Nice. We'll start packing right away. *rolls eyes*

[Pooka1]

Wow. That's amazing about the call.

Here's a kitler update for you...

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/0...xes-matadonia/

[Elisa]

Hee hee, that's so cute Pooka. I was visiting a friend last night who had four little kitties about a month old and they were so freakin' adorable that I just about put one in my pocket on my way out, lol.

Elias is coming up to four months post-op in a couple of days and he is doing fantastic!

We've been invited to visit the local Shrine here in CR on Sept. 7th. to talk about our experience down in Portland. I will talk about exactly what took place as well as plan to put together a photo album of the events and I'm going to give it to them as a keepsake so they'll remember how much they did for us and how much we truly appreciate all their hard work and support. I wish I could do more. It will be their first meeting of the year and there will be a dinner and of course some "drinks" I'm told. Boy those guys sure know how to have fun, heh.

[mabeckoff]

I can't believe 1 1/2 years on the waiting list. That is amazing


Melissa

[Elisa]

I can't believe 1 1/2 years on the waiting list. That is amazing


Melissa

Technically it was closer to a year of actual wait time. The first six months was a total waste of time b/c the x-rays got 'lost' on their way over from Vancouver Island to BC Children's in Vancouver, so for the whole six months that I was calling over to find out how much longer it would take for him to be seen over there, the receptionist then admitted to not even having them at all. What a freaking gong show! I have zero confidence in them now and will be taking Elias back down to Portland in October or so for his six month checkup with Dr. K. Not that I can really take him to Vancouver anyway b/c I was told from the get go that 'IF we chose the Shriner route then there would be NO followup here in BC'. Pffft, I do not care.

[Elisa]

I haven't been posting much lately but I am still reading most posts. Summer is crazy busy at the hotel I work at but things are starting to slow down a bit and I'm looking forward to working less over the fall and winter. My laptop officially died so I'm using Elias' and it sure is a nice one and I might have to borrow it more often. It was awfully nice of him to give me the password, lol.

Elias just started high school on Tuesday and he seems to be enjoying it but it's still early so we'll see if he comes up with any complaints, so far so good. He isn't taking any PE so he does have three electives instead of two. It is really good that we live only a block from the high school b/c it only takes two minutes to walk there and he can come home for lunch and rest up a bit before going back. He does say the 80 minute classes seem long but I told him that he can get up and walk around if he needs to as I've already met with some of the staff and they are aware of his recent scoliosis surgery. He is doing really well all around: no pain, just a bit "tender" he says and he seems so much happier now and he smiles all the time and that makes me smile a lot.

We were the guests of honour at the local Shrine last night and it went really well. I was SO nervous about the whole thing but as soon as I walked into the room I felt fine. We had dinner first and I had two little glasses of wine and Elias had pop and then I read out what I had written about our journey and I only lost my place once, heh. I also put together a photo album of all the events that took place and gave it to them to keep at their Shrine and they loved it. Now they want me to possibly to the 'around town' TV thing. I am happy to talk about scoliosis and the Shriners to anyone who will listen so others can contact them if need be.

Oh, Ed, you'll be happy to know that when I asked Elias how his first day of school went, he said: "good but the kids all got shorter" which I'm sure was your joke originally, haha!

[titaniumed]

LOL

What has the surgeon said about gym? No gym for a year? Just wondering......

It takes a while till the “tenderness” feeling subsides. I think it was about a year for me, I cant remember.

I had my first fall at 10 months and it really scared the heck out of me. Being in the Redwoods camping, tripping over a log in the dark with no flashlight can be startling. I thought I broke everything, and realized that my spine really WAS fused. It was quite a slam.

Ed

[Elisa]

Ed, I'm just going by the 'restrictions' paper signed my Dr. K's chief nurse about bending, twisting lifting etc. so I thought it best to put off PE for the first year just to be safe and the school is totally fine with that. I'm thinking next year he can take the personal training PE where he works out alone with light weights and does strengthening exercises as opposed to jogging and playing team sports which he hates anyway.

[leahdragonfly]

Hi Elisa,

I am happy to hear from you, I think of you guys often. Whenever we are in Portland I can see Shriner's up there on Marquam Hill. Wonderful to hear how well Elias is doing.

We have been very busy too and with all the unseasonal weather we had, the summer passed by quickly.

I am sure you will do great at the Shrine Dinner. Elias has got to be one of their biggest success stories! I am glad you are able to celebrate with them. The elderly Shrine gentlemen come every year to the small-town July 4th parade our town has every year. I always get all choked up when they pass by, and it's hard to explain to Leah why I still feel so emotional about them and all they do to help our kids.

Take care, and enjoy all your fur kids,

[titaniumed]

Sounds like a good plan.

His story always puts a smile on my face.
Ed

[mabeckoff]

So glad that he is doing well

Melissa

[JenniferG]

Me too. You both deserve it.