Emerson's Scoliosis Journey

Yesterday I had to take Emerson back to the doctor because she seems to have gotten a cold that Addison had.  We were given medicine but still ended up in the ER early this morning to get a steroid.  She was treated and sent home, but is still breathing very heavy and quickly (60 breathes per minute).  This will most likely push the casting back because we are on medicine and that effects anesthesia.  I just wish we could get her healthy!  All the steroids, xrays, doctor appointments, other medications, and the scariness of asthma, plus the medical bills we are racking up are about to put me over the edge! Goodbye November!  I may keep Emerson in a bubble for December :)

As this month comes to an end, I look back and wonder how in the world we survived it.  Our third little princess was born on November 7th and everything has been very chaotic since.  The weekend after Jenson was born Emerson developed a runny nose.  Friday night while we had company Emerson had to have a breathing treatment.  Saturday, her nose kept running.  We did our best to keep it clear (she is actually very good at blowing her nose), but Saturday night once she went to sleep a horrible cough started.  We called the doctor's office first thing Sunday morning and were very thankful that Dr. Cahill was on call.  She told us to do treatments more often and to take the brace off, but if the treatments weren't working to go in for an xray.  Just after lunch my mom got to our house to watch Addison and Jenson so we could take Emerson to the emergency room.  Her oxygen levels were down to 80 and her heart rate was up to 165.  After many t...

Enjoy Summer In May we had our check up with Dr. Luhman.  The xray in her brace was 64.  Since we began in the 70s and had casted down to 50, I was worried, however, he said it was fine.  He wanted us to let her enjoy her summer.  So, we did! She swam, got filthy in the garden, played in the rain, ate lots of messy ice cream and popsicles, took long baths, and many other things that we wouldn't have been able to do in a cast. Hospital In June we hit a speed bump.  Emerson seems to have some allergy issues (I think I may be at fault for passing that down to her).  The last week of school she had developed bronchitis, which we fixed with an antibiotic.  Three weeks later she developed pneumonia.  She had been struggling with some minor allergy drainage and a little cough.  Nothing that I thought was a concern.  We took her to watch her sister play a late night softball game and within an hour of being home she was awake, screaming,...

This week we traveled to St. Louis. We thought we were headed to get the cast cut off (15 minutes) and get the brace/see the doctor (30 minutes).  Addi was out of school and it seemed like a good opportunity for her to tag along and maybe do something fun as a family to celebrate completing the casting series and selling our house (that's right,  we are no longer property rich and it feels amazing). Our expectations were way off considering we were at the Shriner's hospital from 10 to 1:40.  We aren't really sure how we feel about any of it other than we have both decided maybe having the cast on is easier. Getting the cast off. She hardly cried this time! Waiting to get the brace.  Her new butterfly brace. They cut too much off the brace and the doctor wasn't happy with it. The far right is prior to the casts. Middle is with the last cast on.  Left is with the brace on.  You can see why he wasn't happy. They had to add a piece o...

Last Wednesday,  Em got her new shoes!  Since we were excepted into First Steps, someone comes twice a week to work with Em.  She noticed that she has flat feet and one leg is longer than the other.  So,  they ordered her some correcting shoes with a lift on one side and arch inserts for both sides.  At first she wanted nothing to do with them. She actually tried to bite me when I made her put them on.  Once she tried them out though she loved them.  She even tried to wear them to bed.  They line everything up better and make her feet feel better plus give her better balance.  She wears them all the time unless she is sleeping.  Just one more thing to be thankful for!

We left at 3am to arrive at 6am. No traffic issues (everyone is still sleeping). Emerson hanging out with Daddy while we wait to be checked in.  We head up to the operating room after signing all the papers.  As we walk into the OR Em starts screaming.  We wait in our assigned room until 8, when the casting will begin.  They check her vitals, we sign consent forms,  meet the nurse,  anesthesiologist,  the girl that will mold her brace,  and the intern doctor.  Daddy tickles Emmi and we cherish some real hugs while we wait (it will be 4 weeks before we can do either of those again).  Emmi wearing her under cast shirt and content after some "happy medicine."  This medicine helps her forget everything about the experience for the next 4 hours.  They all tell us they will "take good care of our daughter" and she leaves for an hour.   We wait in a small room for the phone call saying she is in recovery.  The ...

Emerson had her second cast cut off Tuesday night.  Considering Craig's work has decided he can't use his two weeks vacation by splitting it up and my math students took Common Assessments this week we are so incredibly thankful for a special person that offered to cut her cast off in town on Tuesday night. Those 15 minutes it took for him to cut it off saved us from taking off work and driving 3 hours both ways for a 15 minute appointment. Since we didn't go to St. Louis there hasn't been an x-ray yet.  I did take a picture to compare her back after the first cast and after the second. Cast off week is exciting because we don't have to worry so much, but it is also hard seeing her little back and being reminded of the severity of her curve.  She was so excited to show her daycare friends her belly which made me sad thinking about her getting the next cast.    Her next cast will be Tuesday.  Please pray for good results,  safe travels,  an...

We have "pimped" our cast!  Thanks to a special friend who gave Addison a gift card to pick out some duck tape for her sister.  Addison picked out 5 different types and Emerson liked this one .   We have had this cast on for about two and half weeks.  The procedure went well.  Emerson isn't scared of the hospital yet, but this may be because they give her toys, books, and stuffed animals every time we go.  When she woke up, she repeatedly said, "I done! I done!"  She didn't care about the cast, but wanted all the cords off of her and wanted to leave.  She adapted really well this time and just started going.  The anesthesia is the worse part because is makes her very tired and clingy.    We were so blessed to have some really sweet friends bring us meals the two days after, which was extremely helpful.  My mom was also helpful (as always) and was able to stay with Emerson the day after, so I could go b...