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  • Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
    Woo-hoo, getting exited and starting to Eef out here!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xxkz...eature=related

    Congratulations!

    Ed
    I am definitely ready to move on out of here. I feel they'll have to start watering me as I've taken roots. We just need Elias to be strong enough to travel b/c it is a bit of a journey back. With having the halo on his head for four weeks, his neck muscles are weak and unfortunately he outgrew the walker after about day four so his leg muscles aren't the best at the moment either so getting up and walking around will take a bit more time than for most kids who go through 'normal' spinal fusion.

    Side note: The bone they took from between his vertebrae during the first surgery was used as bone graft for the second surgery. I thought that was pretty neat.

    I'll probably regret saying this, but I cannot wait to get back to work! I say that b/c the high season is coming up and it gets crazy busy and I know there will be days when I wish I wasn't working.

    It will be a really early night for me tonight b/c I have been awake at 5:30 AM for three mornings in a row and up by 6:00. It's all starting to catch up with me now.
    Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
    Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
    Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

    Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

    Comment


    • I keep looking at all the beautiful even spaces between his ribs on today's x-ray. That amazes me...
      Amy
      58 yrs old, diagnosed at 31, never braced
      Measured T-64, L-65 in 2009
      Measured T-57, L-56 in 2010, different doc
      2 lumbar levels spondylolisthesis
      Exercising to correct

      Comment


      • Elisa

        So, you are saying you are eefing. It happens!, especially in Tennessee....they don’t know why.


        I could imagine how weak he must be. Its amazing how quickly muscles atrophy when you don’t use them. Tomorrow, they should get him up, standing for the first time is a little scary. Usually, they just have you stand for a short while, and they also made me sit for a short period.

        He should bounce back quickly....the kids do great at recovery. Hang in there, you are almost home.
        Ed
        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

        My x-rays
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

        Comment


        • Yes, I agree with Amy. His ribs look great. Amazing.
          Ed
          49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
          Pre surgery curves T70,L70
          ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
          Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

          Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

          My x-rays
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

          Comment


          • I am so happy/delighted/moved to tears for you both!! What an absolutely AMAZING result!!!!! Has Elias seen his X-Rays yet? Through the fog of pain and narcs, I hope he can feel the joy of knowing that these last challenging weeks were worth it!! He IS a handsome young man (believe me, if someone took a photo of me asleep, shortly after surgery, NO ONE would be thinking, "good looking person"). . .and now it's onward and upward.

            He is a strong person. And so are you. I am grateful that you're sharing your journey with us. . .truly inspiring. Happy recovery!!
            Fused T-3 to L-3, Aug 25
            Hardware removal surgery, Nov 2, 2010
            Fused T-10 to L-2, osteotomy, Feb 22, 2011

            Comment


            • This has got to be one of the most inspirational threads!! I'm so happy you found us too!! Most do not endure this long a procdure and you both have done this with grace.

              You will help so many kids and parents who face upcoming procedures. So happy to see such wonderful results - What a great correction!

              Wishing a smooth recovery for you both! I know you'll both be so glad to get home.

              Dee
              Dee - Mother of two daughters, both with scoliosis KateScoliKid (16yo) 52* Lumbar curve
              Fusion Surgery 2/9/10 T-11->L-3 @CHKD Norfolk VA
              Jes (20yo) T 3 -> L 3 w/ Kyphosis

              Comment


              • Ed, yes we are going to attempt to get him to sit up today and dangle his legs from the edge of the bed b/c they don't want him lying down too much longer otherwise fluid will build up in the lungs. So the goal for today is to get him upright and without support. He does sit somewhat upright when he adjuts his bed so that's good but he needs to take the next step. Speaking of such, I doubt he'll be doing any walking today, maybe see if he can stand. He'd love to have that catheter out but is dreading the possibility of having it put back in so it is a bit more awkward for him to maneuver around with it attached.

                He is just doing so amazinly well though. No complaints about pain, so that obviously is being managed well by the nurses. He hasn't thrown up from the anasthetic or morphine this time but was a tiny bit queasy yesterday morning. He's totally coherent and talks nonstop between naps. This morning he was just talking to me about going home and wondering how he'd walk around on the ferry. I told him that he doesn't have to walk around, that a bed can be put in on the floor between the seats and it can be clamped down and we can stay on the deck and same goes for when we get to the other side. That made him feel a lot better. He's always thinking ahead, lol.

                mgs, I would not want my picture taken after surgery either trust me, haha! When I looked at him I thought he looked great so that's why I took the picture but if he had looked awful I wouldn't have. My sister says "he just has the most beautiful skin" and she wants it. My daughter and other son does too. I am amazed they never got the usual teenage acne b/c I sure did. And yes, he has seen his x-ray and thinks it looks great. I know he will feel much better about how his back looks and it will give him his confidence back but mostly we're really hoping that he will not be in that awful constant pain he had before the surgery and that he can just do the normal things like walk around with his friends like he used to be able to do.

                There is another get-out-of-traction party today for the other halo boy and his mom will be back up this time to stay as he is getting his surgery tomorrow with Dr. K. I am really curious to see how things go for him. He did not have the 'release' and his curve is a an 'S' shape and his mom says that he will be having an anterior approach. I'll find out more when she gets but she isn't the type to ask questions like I do. She seems the type to not want too much information b/c it freaks her out.
                Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
                Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
                Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

                Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



                http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
                http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

                Comment


                • congratulations again, Elisa! hope the trip home can come soon...

                  OK...i am from NYC...
                  what is "eefing" ?
                  and what is "high season" ?
                  please?

                  jess

                  Comment


                  • Vertical.

                    Elias sat up twice today. He’s obviously very uncomfortable sitting up so still has quite a ways to go before he’s walking around. I did manage to sneak a pic of his back though. It’s been two years since I’ve seen his back so straight.

                    Jess, I work at a hotel and "high season" is the busy time of year that stretches from May to about October when all the tourists arrive and we're booked solid.
                    Attached Files
                    Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
                    Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
                    Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

                    Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



                    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
                    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

                    Comment


                    • thanks for the explanation, Elisa...

                      wow, his spine looks fantastic!! great photo!
                      i hope he feels stronger and better fast....

                      jess

                      Comment


                      • Elisa

                        Elias had such a major correction that any “firsts” like sitting up, standing and walking will be new and strange feelings, and some hesitancy should be expected. He will feel better about sitting up tomorrow....The second attempt is always easier. One day at a time.

                        Jess

                        Eefing came from Hee Haw. Jimmie Riddle was the master....and made a good living doing this stuff back in the 70s....I was looking for something to express extreme happiness, which is written all across his face when he performs. It was an innocent time back then....
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75qId...eature=related

                        Ed
                        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                        My x-rays
                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                        Comment


                        • Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                          Elisa

                          Elias had such a major correction that any “firsts” like sitting up, standing and walking will be new and strange feelings, and some hesitancy should be expected. He will feel better about sitting up tomorrow....The second attempt is always easier. One day at a time.
                          So you're saying he's not quite ready to be tossed into the back of the pickup truck to head home eh? He was so sore when he sat up today that he was holding back tears. I've got a feeling we'll be here a while longer.

                          Talked with the other halo boy's mom today and he is scheduled for both anterior/posterior surgery tomorrow and he will probably be spending tomorrow night in ICU at the other kids hospital next door as Shriners here does not have an ICU. This will be a long surgery.
                          Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
                          Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
                          Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

                          Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



                          http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
                          http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

                          Comment


                          • You must have been thrilled to see his back so straight Elisa! As Ed says, naturally the first time upright is going to cause some strange feelings, but he'll get stronger every day.
                            Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                            Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                            T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                            Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                            Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                            Comment


                            • Elisa

                              No, the pickup truck will have to wait. Back of the motorcycle might be ok, (just kidding).

                              Running out of the hospital, is not advised...

                              One day at a time....slow and easy.

                              If you see halo boys mom, tell her were rooting for her son on NSF.
                              Ed
                              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                              My x-rays
                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                              Comment


                              • thanks, Ed!!! wow...weird!
                                definitely a country thing...pretty funny, too!

                                Elisa, months from now you will be amazed and thrilled at how far your son has come!
                                he will get there....slowly but surely...and will have a completely new, healthy & active life! what a blessing!

                                jess

                                Comment

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