OT: More smoke and prayers needed

B

Bill Sanders

Joined
Aug 18, 2003
Messages
580
My daughter has been diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine from side to side. Everyone has a natural curve, front to rear. She has 2 abnormal curves that make it seem as she is standing straight. However these curves have been progressing. The top curve is progressing faster as she grows. If allowed to progress, in severe cases scoliosis can lead to chronic severe back pain, deformity, and difficulty in breathing. We find out on Wed. if the doc's recommend surgury or a brace. It all depends on the severity. her Dr. originally tentativly diagnosed it 6 months ago. Took X-rays then. The next X-rays (1 month ago) confirmed the diagnosis. This can be a genitic problem, or can have unknown causes. In her case, it is genetic, I believe, because I have the same problem, just not as severe as hers. Oh yeah, she's 13 years old, and has the same curvature as I do. I'm 41. Seems she's had problems since she was born. She had surgury the night she was born, spent the first 56 days of her life in a newborn intensive care unit.
But, she is a very happy teenager. And she loves my khukuris. She especially likes my Bilton. Think I may have to get one for her.


Bill
 
Done.

BTW. Back in the mid-80's I was employed by a group of neurologists.
I ran an "evoked potential" machine/computer that was used,
among other things, to monitor the spinal nerves during
scoliosis surgery.
The orthopedists doing this surgery (back then,
wiring a pair of rods along the spine to stretch it &
keep it straight, and putting bone chips taken from the hip
around & along the rods to encourage bone growth to create a solid
column supporting the straightened spine & the rods)
did a couple of cases every week.
And mostly young teen girls.

I monitored these surgeries over a three year period.
Although I was not involved in post surgical care,
there was never a problem during surgery,
and I recall no problems mentioned by the docs I worked for.
Other than once or twice we monitored a repeat surgery
due to a broken rod, but this was in a case of very extreme curvature.

I assume the surgery is very much the same now.
If the surgeons do this operation regularly,
then I would feel confident in the outcome.
It's a very straightforward procedure.
 
Scoliosis runs in my family too.:( I've got a cuz that's maybe 6-7 years younger than myself and was born before much was known about it. Patty is very mishapened, but it never subdued her spirit nor much of her "can do" it attitude.

Smoke going up!
 
Will keep you in our prayers.

My niece and nephew both have scoliosis and were able to escape the surgery by going to therapy and being monitored by the Shriners hospital. Sarah is 6' and Bryce is 6'5" (anyway the last time I saw him) and both seem to be doing fine now that they have pretty much stopped growing. All 3 of my kids have it but it is a very very slight case and no problems have a risen. Only one still growing is Karen so we keep it monitored. I hope you will not have to do anything drastic and it can be controlled with exercise to strengthen the muscles to better support the spine. But I'll pray hard because the spine is still a delicate place to work on.
 
Your family is in my prayers. I have scoliosis due to a broken leg- it was set improperly and grew an inch longer than it should have. I wear corrective orthopedic soles. It's kept me from doing some things athletically, but mine is a mild case. I hope hers is correctable and doesn't cause her pain.
 
Bill, got this special Bilton that needs a home. Begs to be given as a gift to a girl who loves khuks. Email if interested.
 
Prayers & smoke going up from the east coast. :(

Steve

Dammit I can't stand it when a kid is sick.
 
on the way
sweet-544.jpg
 
Seabee;

You can bet I'm going to pray my rear off for your daughter, amigo.

Man, I hate hearing of stuff like this. I know it will be hard on you because you know you have to be the strong one in the middle of all this. If you find you want to take a break from having to be the rock of Gibraltor, you can always pop in here for a moment to unwind.

May God be with your daughter.

Don

PS: My daughter is 13 too. I'm with you in spirit.
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
Bill, got this special Bilton that needs a home. Begs to be given as a gift to a girl who loves khuks. Email if interested.
Click to expand...

Wow, the people on this forum simply kick a**. It is what keeps me coming here everyday even when I do not have the $$ to buy a new Khuk.

Bill,

Will pray too. My daughter is also 13 and we have been blessed with health for her (outside of controllable asthma), so I can feel for you. Also, after surgery or therapy, look into a therapist named Egoscue. He has a clinic in San Diego, but has written a couple of books that are easily followed and really helpful for long term health. One is called "The Egoscue Method" and the other is called "Pain Free". I think either or both might help. Stay strong.

Cecil
 
Thanks all! I knew there was a reason I like this place.
Aardvark, I asked Sarah (Daughter) if she would like the Bilton you offered. She wants to wait and see how the knife I'm looking at building comes out. If it turns out good, she wants to steal it from me. :D More incentive for me to build it, I guess.

Bill
 
Bill, your daughter will be in my thoughts and so will the rest of your family.
 
It always hurts to see a child go through something tough like this. Your daughter, you and your family are in our prayers.

Seabee, I have a ton of kids at school that would be thrilled to send your daughter cards and notes. Please email me at asstprin2003@yahoo.com (work)if this is something you would like for me to pursue.
 
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