30 days post op (and then some)..... My friend Cameron Gage reminded me today that I needed to post back in here to update. Our little warrior continues to amaze me every day. She missed the first week of school (still not up and about enough for it) but last week she started back 1/2 days. The HCMS teachers and staff have been very supportive in helping shift her classes so she can do all core classes in a block before she gets exhausted and has to come home to lay down. This week she wants to try a full day so well just support her in the trying! I think the biggest challenge is still pain, and sitting upright for too long. We went to see the doctor last week and hes blown away by how well she is recovering and managing her pain. He had to remind her several times during the course of the visit you just had major surgery, Marlo when she was asking for permission to go back to normal. Even though her pain still keeps her from doing things, she finds a deep and inner strength when there are social events that she doesnt want to miss. She hit the Pit on Friday night at the football game and headed off to Fredricksburg with a gaggle of girls on Saturday for a birthday party. She rests when necessary but the child cannot be kept down for long. She is learning the new way of doing things. For example, try to put on your shoes without bending your back. Good luck! Her back is now fixed solid so there are many tasks that you and I dont even think about that she is now relearning. The one that really shocked me was when she laid on the floor to put her hair in a ponytail. She explained she couldnt do it the regular way since her back can no longer arch. Ive told some folks this, but theres something different about her thats more than just a straight spine. Its almost as if all the compression on her nerves and organs were compromising everything. She looks almost luminous now, as if her face is lit from within. I know it sounds crazy, but I think the medical explanation is that all her organs are perfused and functioning normally and her body is now aligned. She is confident and happy and I could not be more grateful for the journey and the outcome. I think back to how fast the scoliosis came and took hold of her. She was diagnosed at 11, and by age 13 she had progressed from 20 degrees to 84 degrees in 24+ months. Clearly it was winning. But it underestimated its opponent. Im reposting the surgical pic since EVERYONE asks about it...and also a pic I took last week. Shes straight, beautiful and has redefined for me what strength actually means. Thanks to all of you for reading, caring and giving support. It means everything! xoxo Nancy
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:23:53 +0000
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