orthopedic visit
February 25, 2010
Sadly, Johnathan is needing more surgeries. He has had 9 surgeries in his 11 years and I think that is waaay too many. Surgery #8 brought about sedation issues we never had before, so in turn brings new stressers with every surgery.
Johnathan has had tendon releases in both his arms and legs before. Ideally each surgery would last up to 7 years. Sadly we got 6 and 4.
Johnathan needs his feet and ankles released ASAP, as his feet are staring to bow. The good news though, is that Dr Anderson believes Johnathan can get back up standing after the surgery; which we have not been able to do for over 2 years. Johnathan LOVES standing up big. I will try to get him another Smart Walker, but do not believe we will qualify after our hip surgery. Either way, we will find something as we await surgery and recovery.
Johnathan also needs a muscle release for his right wrist and tendon releases for both thumbs. This will get rid of the drop wrist and get both thumbs back out of his fists and into a functional position. I am hoping both these surgeries can be done at one time, and am already questioning docs. Dr Schwein normally refers hand surgeries to another doctor, so hae contact ed Dr Anderson tto see if he thinks all this can be done in alloted safety zone time frame for one sedation. I prefer one knock out, but know too one can't be under sedation for too long. This will also decide whether or not surgery will be done in KC or St Louis.
Beyond all the easy stuff, please laugh with me.....Johnathan's scoliosis is not improving and a complete fusion is necessary before he starts to stiffens in a severe curvature that can not be somewhat straightened before a surgery. He has a bit of lfexability now at his 80 degree curve. I thought the stiffening was something that came with age, say late 30's. Dr Anderson informed me that isn't soo as he knows kids as young as 8 that have stiffened into their curves already. Thsi stinks. I also worry about quality of life after. What can break the fusion apart? What can we no longer do to prevent a disconnection? We have such little quality of life now that we must not lose anythign we have. Can we still go for car rides every day? Ggo bump bump on sidewalks? We love walks thru the neighborhood, but lets face it, no sidewalk is without bump bump. All questions I need answered from people that have been there. Know anyone that has a quad with a complete fusion, tbrende7@yahoo.com and let me hear your story. This is a life changing surgery, decision I must make for my son. I need to weigh all the facts and still pray I am doing the right thing at the right time. Do I do it now, later, toughest decision yet I fear.
Johnathan has had tendon releases in both his arms and legs before. Ideally each surgery would last up to 7 years. Sadly we got 6 and 4.
Johnathan needs his feet and ankles released ASAP, as his feet are staring to bow. The good news though, is that Dr Anderson believes Johnathan can get back up standing after the surgery; which we have not been able to do for over 2 years. Johnathan LOVES standing up big. I will try to get him another Smart Walker, but do not believe we will qualify after our hip surgery. Either way, we will find something as we await surgery and recovery.
Johnathan also needs a muscle release for his right wrist and tendon releases for both thumbs. This will get rid of the drop wrist and get both thumbs back out of his fists and into a functional position. I am hoping both these surgeries can be done at one time, and am already questioning docs. Dr Schwein normally refers hand surgeries to another doctor, so hae contact ed Dr Anderson tto see if he thinks all this can be done in alloted safety zone time frame for one sedation. I prefer one knock out, but know too one can't be under sedation for too long. This will also decide whether or not surgery will be done in KC or St Louis.
Beyond all the easy stuff, please laugh with me.....Johnathan's scoliosis is not improving and a complete fusion is necessary before he starts to stiffens in a severe curvature that can not be somewhat straightened before a surgery. He has a bit of lfexability now at his 80 degree curve. I thought the stiffening was something that came with age, say late 30's. Dr Anderson informed me that isn't soo as he knows kids as young as 8 that have stiffened into their curves already. Thsi stinks. I also worry about quality of life after. What can break the fusion apart? What can we no longer do to prevent a disconnection? We have such little quality of life now that we must not lose anythign we have. Can we still go for car rides every day? Ggo bump bump on sidewalks? We love walks thru the neighborhood, but lets face it, no sidewalk is without bump bump. All questions I need answered from people that have been there. Know anyone that has a quad with a complete fusion, tbrende7@yahoo.com and let me hear your story. This is a life changing surgery, decision I must make for my son. I need to weigh all the facts and still pray I am doing the right thing at the right time. Do I do it now, later, toughest decision yet I fear.
Posted by Tonni Brende.
