Emerson's Scoliosis Journey

They signed her head and we gave her a Mulan bun to help limit how much hair got shaved. New head gear and trying to manage pain.  Em updates: 12:20 We ended up stalled on I70 but finally arrived. Because of her age, she gets an IV before going in and she was not happy about that but they did give her some calming meds.  She is currently waiting to go back, which will be very soon. Surgery will be 4 hours. Halo will go on first then they will remove all of her hardware. 1:15 She has gone back.  2:10 She is sleeping and they are starting. Halo will be first. 4:05 Dr. Luhmann came out to visit. They are doing stitches. They removed everything and didn't find any surprises. She will have a would vac for a week to help her heal faster. They will call us back when she starts waking up.  7:30 She has finally been moved to a room. Having lots of trouble with muscle spasms so they have given her quite a bit of meds. She is very sleepy. She finally woke up enough to do her br...

Surgery #15 is Monday! The reality of that is starting to hit us.     We are busy making plans, organizing the schedules and finishing house projects. We are so grateful that our communities want to help! I do struggle to have an answer for what help is needed but if there is one thing I have learned through Em's journey it is to let others help. God sends help through his people. So here is what we have come up with.  Most importantly, prayers. We are asking for prayers for... Em to stay healthy so the surgery can happen Safety as we travel back and forth to St. Louis frequently For the doctors and staff as they take out the current hardware and attach the halo A quick recovery from that surgery Great correction in halo, which will maximize her final correction  If you have an Em shirt, bracelet or anything green Em would love to see them either before she goes or pictures on surgery day. Last time we hung them in the room to remind her that she has lots of sup...

I know many are waiting to hear how Emerson's appointment went today.  We unfortunately were informed that Dr. Luhmann will not be practicing at Shriners Childrens after the first of the year. Em cried. Dr. Luhmann cried. He has saved her a surgery date of December 7th. That would put the first surgery and halo attachment starting the end of October.  Prayer requests: A solution to whatever seems to be going on at Shriners A healthy fall so halo can start smoothly A successful plan  Results that maximize height, and room for heart and lungs, level out hips and shoulders and minimize pain Our family as we prepare for this treatment 

It's been a minute. Em has been living life and scoliosis has been on the back burner. Her last surgery was September of 2022. Three and a half years is the longest she has ever gone without a surgery and it has been a blessing! We knew the stretch was coming to an end. At her recent appointment, we were told that the big surgery is coming along with another halo stay. The growth guidance Shilla rods are not guiding anymore. Her spine is doing it's own thing and she is in prime time for growth. The trick to success is timing the surgery right at the end of the most growth because after the surgery those parts of the spine will not grow anymore however if too much crooked growth happens, the lungs and heart get squished and the body starts to compensate for the curve. For examples she is having quite a bit of asthma issues due to her lung space right now as well as some leg length discrepancies because of the effects the spine rotation has on her hips.  So it is time. When we go...