Thanks, ladies! Yes, time flies, and it is so good to be on the other side of surgery. I guess what most impresses me about VBS is that it is actually a definitive treatment of the curve, a way to permanently reduce the curve without fusion. Since I was a "sucessfully" braced child myself and still ended up needing a major fusion surgery in my early 40's, I am happy that VBS offers Leah a chance to avoid all the back problems I have been through as an adult.
Leah has been involved in a fabulous running and positive health program called Girls On The Run this spring, which trains them to run a 5K race. She completed a practice 5K successfully a few days ago, and loved it.
Gayle, age 50
Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1
mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
2017 curves stable/skeletely mature
also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable