65 days...

We have 65 days until Allie's surgery. It will be on July 2. On June 3 we will have our pre-surgery conference with Dr. Beebe and will get all the details about the surgery.

They've got my back!

Shortly after Allie was diagnosed with scoliosis we started seeing a chiropractor, Danielle Rice. She is a great person and friend. She has been so encouraging through the years and has helped to keep Allie's head on straight!

Another group that we are really excited about being a part of is Curvy Girls. It is a peer-led support group that we found out about in February. It is an international support group and the Columbus group had their first meeting at the end of February. The leaders, Kiki and Alyse, have both been through the scoliosis surgery. At the March meeting we got to tour Nationwide Children's Hospital where Allie will have her surgery. We saw the surgery waiting and pre-op areas as well as one of the patient rooms. At the April meeting, Allie and I got to share about our trip to Wisconsin and the Schroth physical therapy. Kiki brought in the brace that she wore before surgery. Another girl in the group is Payton. She has scoliosis and is also a candidate for surgery. It has been great to be a part of this group and to know that we aren't alone. The Curvy Girls and Curvy Parents are definitely counted among our blessings!

The Curvy Girls--Peyton, Kiki, Allie and Alyse

http://www.curvygirlsscoliosis.com/

Still waiting...

I checked in with the surgeon's secretary this morning and we are still waiting to be able to schedule surgery.

Allie had to present an informative speech at school. She chose to speak on scoliosis. When she practiced with me the night before, she got a bit teary. We talked more about the surgery and what it may involve. She was even able to watch a short video with me that shows a clip of an actual surgery and the doctors derotating the spine. I told her that she is a very strong and courageous girl and that she has God on her side. She went in the next day and rocked the speech!

A Side by Side Look

Here is the progression through the years.

June 2009

2009--looking from the front

2011--looking from the back

July 2011

February 2013

2013--looking from the front

Stop Sign

The stop sign appeared on February 18, 2013. This was the date of the most recent follow-up visit with Dr. Beebe. Allie got her x-ray and then the resident came in to do his exam. He stated that her curves are pretty much the same as they were last summer. We were hopeful that this meant that surgery was still far off in the future. The resident left and soon returned with Dr. Beebe and a nurse. Dr. Beebe told us that this summer is when Allie should have surgery.

The thoracic curve is now measuring 50 degrees and the thoracolumbar is measuring 45 degrees (this xray is viewing the curve from the front). Dr. Beebe explained that if we were to let it go, over time the curves could increase drastically. Now is the time to operate before the curves worsen and while she is still resilient and fairly flexible. Although two years ago we were told that surgery would probably happen this year, we were still hanging on to that thread of hope that she would avoid surgery altogether.

After Dr. Beebe left the room, Allie and I shed tears together. The nurse, Nadia, came back in with a lot of information and answered our questions and gave us encouragement.

So, we have come to a stop in the journey--maybe you could say we have pulled off on the side of the road--while we wait for the surgery to be scheduled. We should know by the end of April the surgery date.