It's been a while since I posted/ update

March 21, 2006

Hi, all!

I just wanted to pop in and say hello. We've been in " Scoliosis World " for

the past 3 months.

A quick update regarding : He is now 15 months old. He is due to have

spinal fusion surgery at the end of April. We went to a few different orthos,

and ultimately decided to stick with our original--the doc also treating

for his foot (Dr. Feldman at NYU). His recommended surgery seemed like it would

be the " simplest. " currently has 5 vertebrae that are fused together on

the right side--they never separated during development. So, the surgery will

fuse the other side as well, to stop him from growing any more crooked. Fusion

surgery isn't ideal in someone so young, but because of the type of scoliosis

that he has, it's really our best option right now. Assuming all goes well with

the surgery, he will be in a back brace for 4-6 months. Can you imagine--the

FAB AND a back brace???????

Aside from that, he is standing and cruising, and once in a while walking

behind his push toy. He also learned to climb the stairs. He's doing great and

I hate that all of this will be interrupted with the surgery....But I know it's

for the best that it should happen sooner rather than later....

Last time I posted, I was newly pregnant. I miscarried just a couple of weeks

ago. As devastated as we are, we know everything happens for a reason.... God

probably figured we would have enough on our plate for now with and

everything....

Also, a few of you had suggested that I e-mail Dr. Ponseti regarding 's

scoliosis. Thank you for your suggestions! I did e-mail him, and a colleague

of his called me back within a half hour. While Dr. P. no longer keeps

up-to-date with the latest scoliosis treatments, his colleague does and was nice

enough to talk to me for a good half hour discussing 's case. It's so great

to have gotten another opinion from someone who wouldn't be benefiting at all

(i.e. making money off of my son's surgery.) He was a deciding factor in NOT

going along with our third opinion's suggested course of treatment.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all an update. For all you newbies on here,

don't worry your kids' feet will be fine. I was a doubter and I just could not

foresee how would ever walk or be " normal, " but his foot really is

fantastic! He is so close to walking, I can just feel it!

Take care and thanks for listening!!!

mom to (12/15/04, right CF, 12/7 FAB)

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