We have been keeping an eye on Skyler's scoliosis. It has caused a bulge in his lower back, so we have been going to a local orthopedist and he just wanted to keep an eye on it. The last little while it looked like it was getting bigger so I checked into a specialist in Flagstaff. His name is Dr. Hales, and he is a great doctor! They took x-rays and found that at the top point of the scoliosis, its at a 45 degree curve and at the bottom its at a 55 degree curve. Dr. Hales said that at over a 40 degree curve its automatic surgery. So Skyler will go to Flagstaff Hospital on Dec. 13 and have the first surgery, they will go in just below the belly button with a 3 inch incision. That surgery will be about 6 hrs. Then he will go back in on Dec. 16 for the second portion of the correction. This will be on his side and will take another 6 hrs. He will have plates, screws, and rods from the bottom of his spine to about the middle of his spine. We are hoping to have him home just in time for Christmas!!!
Summer went through scoliosis surgery when she was a freshman. She has a scar that is from the middle of her front to the middle of her back. It took almost 6 months to fully recover because they had to go through all her muscles in her stomach. Dr. Hales said that Skyler should have an easier recovery since he will have smaller incisions. He will miss about 6-8 weeks of school, so will be home schooled under the direction of the school.
He is taking it pretty well, considering all that he has gone through with his eye. He is such a trooper, I know the Lord gave him a lot of strength and endurance!
We figure he will probably be close to 6'11" when this all done. The doctor hopes that the surgery will take him to a 20/25 degree curve.
7 comments:
Wow! I'll keep him in my prayers!
Skyler will be in my prayers, he will make a wonderful Missionary full of Love and Compassion! Is it a given that the boys will be missionaries?
Love you,
After Summer's horrendous surgery, I'm so glad that Skyler has a doctor with a different approach. We will be praying for the best for him. He is definitely not a complainer and has put up with so much already. We love him.
Thanks for all the well wishes for Sky. He definitely is a trooper, he is anxious for this surgery because he is having tremendous back pain. The surgery should take the pain away.
Shawn, yes, young men who are 19 yrs of age are to go on missions. There are those who choose not to go, but for the most part most of them go. Girls are encouraged to go on an 18 month mission if they have not married by the time they are 21. Love you too:)
Wow! Skyler has been through so much. I guess the Lord is teaching him patience and fortitude, or something that will bless him the rest of his life. We will be praying for him.
Wow! Skyler has been through so much already. The Lord must be teaching him patience or fortitude or something that will bless him the rest of his life. We will keep him in our prayers.
What a trooper!! I can't believe how much he has gone through in his short years. I hope this will help him get out of the pain he's in. Love him!
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