Progress!

We thought that E's back looked significantly better after the first cast was removed and we got confirmation with her pre-cast x-ray (one that I wanted to skip but they insisted they needed it). Both were seated x-rays so we can compare one to one. In August her COBB angle was 47* and after one Mehta cast which was applied in late October her angle is now 26*!!!! Amazing progress. They think she may only need 1 or 2 more casts past this one. We are so very lucky because there are families out there that have been casting for years.

The casting went much better this time. It was still too long when she came out to recovery so it needed to be trimmed. I was so very worried because they left me in the waiting room so long. It turned out they decided to petal the cast without me there which I would have prefered to be with my baby as soon as possible. It also resulted in me having to re-petal the cast back at the hotel room because there are areas that won't rub on E but most definitely will hurt me while I am feeding or carrying her (the edges are sharp!). My only other concern is that I have been very clear that I want her reproductive organs covered during x-rays and they forgot to cover her in the post cast x-ray. I think it is ridiculous I even need to ask. This should be STANDARD procedure and not something I need to worry over. I am concerned over her future ability to have children as well as her current spinal issues.

Our flights home packed us in like sardines. There wasn't a spare seat to be had on any of them so it is is a good thing I didn't miss them! Now I think I am getting sick. The travel was exhausting and we are considering getting our casts locally. I am not happy with the way we were treated here but it is expensive, time consuming, and exhausting to travel for casts and when I think about it I wasn't listened to very well anyway (i.e. the x-ray without coverage). The doctor I liked best was at Shriners but it was hard to get on their schedule and that would require quite a bit of travel as well. He was the one that took the time to actually talk to me and address my concerns best of all.

Life out of the cast

I have been bad at posting because things were hectic. The local doctor was less than please that we started casting and didn't use his wait and see plan. I said my piece which was that two other doctors agreed that her scoliosis is progressive. We got the cast off and they even gave it to us to take home. I need to take some pictures. The first day was a little rough because E wasn't sure what to do out of the cast. She is very strong in some ways because of the cast but we think she got lazy in other ways. For instance it would seem she enjoyed resting on her cast while she was sitting. She did not revert back to crawling during this break. Not sure if this is normal. Her skin looked amazingly clear. The one tip I would give parents is not to dress their kids in any black for cast removal. Her skin was all flaky and all over her black pants.

I need to post pictures but I can say E's back is amazing. You can't see the hump through her clothes anymore. E's pedi even noted how much better it has gotten. She was amazed by the progress. This just goes to show early intervention is the key!

Other than that the week has been a whirlwind of school, moms group party, gymnastics, swimming, and pre op check up. Today we have a light day of going to claytime to get Big Sis's christmas gifts for the grandparents.

I am nervous because snow and rain is on the forecast for both days flying. Also strep and all kinds of nice things are going around at school. A fever would mean a canceled surgery.

I have a lot to consider. After this cast we may switch to Boston. It would save time, money and sanity. I just have to consider whether I trust them.

Countdown!

In less than 24 hours E will have her first cast removed. We can't wait. The first order of business when we get home is a bath. Poor E hasn't had a real bath since October 22nd. She seems desperate to get some interaction with water that she will go out of her way to put her hands in my glasses of water if she can get in range. I am nervous that they will remove it and her back will look the same as it did before. I know it shouldn't and that we should see some improvement but I guess we can't be immune to irrational worry.