Emerson's Scoliosis Journey

It's been over 3 weeks since Em's surgery.   We have just been relaxing at home.  Jenson and Addison have enjoyed having Mom, Dad, and Em home, even though they were very well taken care of when we weren't.  Jen still struggles with understanding that if one of us leaves the room, we won't be gone for a week.  "But, I'm going to miss you!"   Emerson is healing up well.  She has one spot on her back, where you can clearly see there is a rod/screw, that she says itches from time to time.  It worries us, but it doesn't hurt.  She still can't bend to pick things up.  Her neck has gotten stronger, though she still needs reminders sometimes.  Her arm has improved a bit.   She still wears out pretty easy.  Going outside when it's hot makes her tired so we haven't been out much.  She spends a lot of time in her recliner, drawing and coloring while watching movies.  She has been sleeping better and is completely...

Emerson is still doing well.  She struggles to hold her head up all the time and to move her left arm.  It has a small popping sound when she does.  Sleeping has been descent for the most part and she is able to take a pain medication every 6 hours instead of 4.  She is getting lots of help from her sisters and has been watching movies and coloring.   She is supposed to take it easy until her follow up on August 24th.  

It’s been a very busy, tiring, and emotional day, but Emerson is home and very happy to be with her sisters.

Em has still not been released.  Today is her 35th day here.  They are hoping for tomorrow morning.  She is slowly feeling better and mad they keep changing her "go home day." Her hemoglobin has finally started to go back up.  She has been stuck for blood draws 5 times in the last 3 days. She does good without oxygen all day but at night she still needs it.  Hopefully tonight is better. They have also decided to get her a soft neck brace for the ride home.

We aren't home.  Em slept well but oxygen is still needed from time to time.  We ended up having an extra xray today and they found that part of her left lung is collapsed.  They think it's just struggling to wake up because of the long surgery.  Her hemoglobin was also on the low end.  So we are staying at least another night to see if those both improve.  If they don't, she will be sent to Children's Hospital.  They were hopeful that wouldn't happen though. She also got her hair washed, did occupational therapy, physical therapy twice, xray/photographs, removed her drains and bandages, gave blood again, had a popcorn/ movie party, breathing exercises every 2 hours, and walking as much as possible. Spa Day OT took pictures of her and Kenna to use as the new directions for other future halo kids.  She was excited to see the finished directions. Having trouble keeping her head straight. Movie/Popcorn Party This breaks m...

Em is struggling.  She had a terrible night last night and into the morning.  She is trying very hard to do what is asked of her even when she doesn't want to.  She made it 3 laps in the hallway without screaming the whole time which is a big improvement. Our main issues right now are the pain management and we haven't been able to get her off oxygen. The nurses are trying hard to get her where she can go home tomorrow but she has a ways to go.  Hopefully the rest of tonight and tomorrow show improvements.

Today was hard but she is still doing amazing.   She has walked once, sat in the wheelchair for awhile, had an xray, ate some goldfish and graham crackers, and taken all medications as a pill. She is struggling with pain between medications, trying to get comfy, getting off oxygen, and circulation which they say is because of blood loss and long anesthesia.  Dr. Luhmann came to check on her and reassured her that tomorrow would be better. After her walk and xray she was wiped out and has been attempting to rest ever since.