y husband took Kyle for what we thought would be a routine physical after we switched medical providers, but his new doctor took one look at him with his shirt off and ordered some x-rays. Well, that was worrisome. That order then led to seeing an orthopedic specialist, which in turn led to an inevitable spinal fusion surgery, all in a matter of months. Our son had developed a sever case of scoliosis right under our noses. This was a lot to take in such a short time frame.
Scoliosis
This is roughly what we saw when Dr. S flipped the light switch on the x-ray panel. My heart sank, and there was a horrible lump in my throat, and them my vision started to get watery. It was all I could do to not burst into tears in front of the three men that were with me in that tiny exam room. Men don't like it when women cry, it unnerves them. So I forcefully swallowed that lump down my throat, and blinked back the tears. I sure hope they were grateful that I spared them my well deserved emotional outburst. I guess Dr. S is well versed in this sort of thing because he told us right away that it was not our fault for not seeing the curve and not to feel guilty about it. As parents, we don't see things that happen gradually right under our noses, where as trained physicians catch what we miss. Down to brass tacks: Dr. S scheduled an MRI so he |
After partially digesting what I saw, I was NOT looking forward to this journey at all! I just wanted to be told that wearing a brace for a few months would correct the problem and be done with it. Yeah, I know, that's not very realistic.
After lowering the boom, Dr. S asked us if we had any questions. Yeah, how about: "What's my name?" and "Where am I?" I racked my spinning brain for an intelligent ques-tion, and heard myself asking if the surgery would effect his growth, and would it be best to wait until he had stopped growing? He seemed pleased by the questions and even said they were good questions. Whew! Let's hear it for cerebral auto pilot. He informed us that the fused bones would not grow anymore once the procedure was done, and waiting too long would not be advisable, there was just nothing to be gained by waiting. He scheduled us for a follow up visit after the MRI results came back and gave us materials to look over. I didn't touch them for days, I had to still process this mess. Eventually I learned that scoliosis is idiopathic, a fancy word meaning: we don't know why it happens.
The MRI Experience
Pre-Op Follow Up
Surgery Day!
Going Home!
Anyway, they couldn't discharge us fast enough, Kyle had a schedule to keep, he was on a mission to see the street sweeper. On the way home, my little guy got sick, but I was prepared. To make things worse, unfortunately, we didn't make it home in time for him to see the sweeper, but we did make it for the afternoon train. He was so happy to be home in his nice new big boy bed that grandpa and grandma bought him, I would like to think he forgave us. I love my in-laws, they helped us immensely during this trial; Robert and I are really blessed and grateful they were here for us. All of our family were just wonderful. My sister Teresa and her boyfriend Brian, my brother Eric, Robert's mom and sister Monica, they all were such a help and comfort. Once at home, he fell asleep with a sweet contented smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Ahhhh...what a blessed sight for sore eyes! The next couple of nights were a bit rough, with the pain and all, but everyday he gets better and needs less medication.
Side Effects
Of course, that didn't keep Robert and I from worrying about it, I mean that is a LONG time even if he had been on a mostly liquid diet. To our knowledge, he hadn't pooped the two days prior to his surgery. Were his insides festering? I think they forgot to tell us that they cleaned him out before, or while on the operating table. To make things worse, the poor little guy got sick on his pain meds while in the hospital, because he didn't have anything in his tummy, because the pain meds suppress his appetite, and constipate him. A vicious cycle. Anyway, at home, after two failed suppository attempts, several tears, and two calls to nurses, he finally rewarded us all with a nice healthy poop! Robert and I haven't been this excited about a bowl movement since his potty training days!
Anyway, we are still in recovery mode, and can't wait for the follow up visit at the end of the month -- well, my husband and I can't wait, Kyle isn't so eager, because that means he has to see Dr. S again, but this time to remove his wound dressing. Kyle is torn because he wants 'the big band-aid' gone, but he never wants to see that man again, because as he puts it, "the doctor hurt me." Fortunately Dr. S understands perfectly. And I'm sure he'll look as fresh as a daisy! I'll let you know in a week or so!