Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been reading mostly and collecting info. Thank God for this forum - I don't know what I would do without it!
I have some wonderful news to share; Liam was accepted at the Shriners Hospital in SLC, Utah! We saw Dr. D'Astous on March 23 and he was just FABULOUS - everyone there was! It was so nice to FINALLY deal with someone who knew what they were talking about! They did tell me that Liam had one of the worst cases of infantile, idopathic scolisis they had ever seen (105 degree curve), but that they had seen it and had a plan of action - finally a plan after 8 months of searching! I just cried! I felt so welcome there and the hospital/area is beautiful!
At The University of Michigan (supposedly one of the best hospitals in the US) I was told that Liam had a ridgid curve and had to have halo traction and rods placed in his back immediately - this was when he was 9 months old. U of M NEVER did any special test to check if his curve was ridgid or flexible......... they just told me that's what it was ridgid and that was that. I didn't feel comfortable with what they told me and was why I joined this forum and wrote in the first place. It was the best thing I ever did! I received more correct, useful information here than from any of these so-called specialists! Anyway, Shriners did a supine traction x-ray on Liam and found that his spine was NOT ridgid but actually flexible - his curve went from 105 degrees to 55 degrees while in light traction! VERY ENCOURAGING and the fist time we had heard this. Liam had been to 3 ortho. surgeons priot to SLC and not one did this special x-ray! I was astounded! What is going on here! Had I not researched this more and talked with other moms, I would have put my baby through unnecessary and potentially harmful procedures for nothing! I'm just blown away by this and scared for others who may not have the resources that I have to do research and figure out that what half these Dr.'s are telling us about scoliosis is incorrect!
Well, Liam, his dad and I go back to SLC Shriners on April 8th and Liam is going to get his first risser cast on April 10th! I'm excited and scared all at the same time! I know something has to be done and finally a plan is in place but I have mixed emotions about it all. I will miss his baths...... rubbing his back..... etc. and am worried about how Liam will take all of this. I'm sure he will be fine, but I'm still scared..... any advice? Words of wisdom? Also, while reading others posts - is the risser cast the same as the serial cast? I'm confused now after reading....... please share whatever you can! Post, e-mail me or call me PLEASE! Thank you! I have a million questions about the cast. Anything you can share would be great!
Hopefully Yours,
Jennifer O'Donovan
Liam's mommy - 12 months old (3-25-05) 105 degree curve
** P.S. I'd like to include some pics but don't know how?? Can someone tell me please, thank you!!
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been reading mostly and collecting info. Thank God for this forum - I don't know what I would do without it!
I have some wonderful news to share; Liam was accepted at the Shriners Hospital in SLC, Utah! We saw Dr. D'Astous on March 23 and he was just FABULOUS - everyone there was! It was so nice to FINALLY deal with someone who knew what they were talking about! They did tell me that Liam had one of the worst cases of infantile, idopathic scolisis they had ever seen (105 degree curve), but that they had seen it and had a plan of action - finally a plan after 8 months of searching! I just cried! I felt so welcome there and the hospital/area is beautiful!
At The University of Michigan (supposedly one of the best hospitals in the US) I was told that Liam had a ridgid curve and had to have halo traction and rods placed in his back immediately - this was when he was 9 months old. U of M NEVER did any special test to check if his curve was ridgid or flexible......... they just told me that's what it was ridgid and that was that. I didn't feel comfortable with what they told me and was why I joined this forum and wrote in the first place. It was the best thing I ever did! I received more correct, useful information here than from any of these so-called specialists! Anyway, Shriners did a supine traction x-ray on Liam and found that his spine was NOT ridgid but actually flexible - his curve went from 105 degrees to 55 degrees while in light traction! VERY ENCOURAGING and the fist time we had heard this. Liam had been to 3 ortho. surgeons priot to SLC and not one did this special x-ray! I was astounded! What is going on here! Had I not researched this more and talked with other moms, I would have put my baby through unnecessary and potentially harmful procedures for nothing! I'm just blown away by this and scared for others who may not have the resources that I have to do research and figure out that what half these Dr.'s are telling us about scoliosis is incorrect!
Well, Liam, his dad and I go back to SLC Shriners on April 8th and Liam is going to get his first risser cast on April 10th! I'm excited and scared all at the same time! I know something has to be done and finally a plan is in place but I have mixed emotions about it all. I will miss his baths...... rubbing his back..... etc. and am worried about how Liam will take all of this. I'm sure he will be fine, but I'm still scared..... any advice? Words of wisdom? Also, while reading others posts - is the risser cast the same as the serial cast? I'm confused now after reading....... please share whatever you can! Post, e-mail me or call me PLEASE! Thank you! I have a million questions about the cast. Anything you can share would be great!
Hopefully Yours,
Jennifer O'Donovan
Liam's mommy - 12 months old (3-25-05) 105 degree curve
** P.S. I'd like to include some pics but don't know how?? Can someone tell me please, thank you!!
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