Thursday - Big day at Shriners

These pictures say most of the story! Laura up and painting a birdhouse is a big deal. She had a good day, all day. She is handling herself beautifully and is determined to get better, quicker. Check out the two surprise visitors she had today. Jamie and Amanda made the day even more special. Bright shining faces made Laura's day extra, extra special

NOW, the real big news is the after x-ray taken today! Compare and contrast to the "before" image. Enough said! Laura did dream she had a railroad track down her back . . .

We have tentative plans to return home tomorrow pending weather reports and final exams.

Third Day - add-on

With tornado warnings locally, Laura must have thought it best to walk a little further in her evening stroll. She made it from her room to the end of her hallway which is a pretty big deal. Two photos attached from her father. Everyone is so proud of her. She is uncomfortable and is not being allowed much movement. Small advances are really BIG advances. We hope that all of you caught in this bad weather pattern are safe and sound.

Down the hall . . .

and, back . . .

Laura has really appreciated all the flowers, animals and gifts. They make her feel so much better. She knows of all the prayers and good thoughts for her and really appreciates those, as well. Good night, everyone!

3rd Day

So today is a classic third day. Laura has gotten out of bed, walked across the room then partway down the hall. She ate a few bites then after some pain medicine is napping. She gets to sleep about 30 minutes then starts all over again. She must do it a total of three rounds today, with each one adding more distance.  There have been a moment or two of small smiles.  She really is doing fantastic. More to come later.     Melissa

And she's up!

Movie watching/sleeping with Emily

So much has happened since 5:00 Monday afternoon.

* made it through the night with her daddy and myself helping.
* arterial line blocked so she had her finger pricked (hates that)
*did a few other housekeeping issue.
Then......did this!

Then back to bed then UP AGAIN and walked across the room! She stayed up a couple hours each time today and the goal for tomorrow is to be up 3 times. A few surprises trickled in throughout the day and those were a bright spot too.

All in all it has been a long hard 24 hours. We anticipate an easier (please oh please) night. She is eating lightly so she is able to add oral pain meds.

For those of you who have inquired she had between t3 and L3 fused. That makes for a humdinger of a bandage on her back.

Emily returned via The Britton Express to school and Charlie is still biding his time with us.

Laura is tucked in for the night and I know we all wish her sweet dreams. We also thank God for all the help today.

tucked in for the night  1/29/13

She is out.

Dr. Mendelow just came in and said all went well. Laura was steady through out the surgery and there were no complications. We still won't see her for about an hour. She is in recovery. Thanks for all the prayers and notes of encouragement. Laura will love hearing them all tomorrow or Wednesday.

We thank all of you and God for the wonderful blessings of this week.
Melissa

 Waiting. Jan. 28, 2013

The surgery nurse called again. All is well. They expect to go another couple hours. Her room is ready for her and the family room and the RV are ready for the rest of us. We are so impressed with the Shriners Hospital. It is almost like having your own private facility.

Thanks for all the comments and prayers,

Melissa

So far so good.

Another update just in. All is well. She has been stable with no problems. They will be working on her spine for at least another three hours so we will hear more in another couple hours. Love to all,
Melissa

Waiting

Good morning,

Laura did a great job this morning. She was nervous at the last minute but the nurses did a great job making her feel comfortable. As they wheeled her away they were talking about giraffes and penguins. Surgery began at 9 and we expect updates about every 2 hours.

Melissa

Waiting this morning

My last night without metal bars

Tonight is my last night having had NO surgery. We had a fun RV party with Grandy and Daddy B and EMILY! They had sushi, Yum!

Later I was happy to be able to meet Katie VanderKooi. She has a great blog about her experiences with the same back surgery I am going to have and when my mom contacted her Katie offered to meet us because she is going to school here. She was very nice and even brought me a gift of all the things she enjoyed using in the hospital. If you want to check out her great blog it is scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com. It has helped me so much.

I am so happy I am cuddling with Emily and two stuffed giraffes my friend lent me. I enjoy everybody's comments. Thank you so much!

Pre-op day

January 25, 2013

This morning we arrived for our 7am. appoinment on time.  I didn't have a real breakfast just a bunch of snacks.  I was able to meet a bunch of people and each one told me something I needed to know.  The first person I saw was Cher, the nurse coordinator for Dr. Mendelow.  She helped me all day.  Then I met the Anestesiologist. He gave me two choices for how I want to go to sleep for surgery on Monday.  I can choose either having them start an IV and give me medicine through that or breathing through a mask. That doesn't take any thought on my part. I choose no pain!  Then Dr. Mendelow met me in xray and bent me into the shape of a horseshoe while they xrayed my back again. This was to see if bending could straighten my spine (mom says this shows the degree of flexibility they can expect in surgery).  After that Marcus came in and he explained again what to expect and also what to expect the next week.  The Pain Management Lady came in and told me how the pain button (PCA) worked and how they will be watching me like a hawk.  Elaine from Child Life came in and showed me what the mask the anestesiologist uses looks like.  She also told me Wednesday is going to be the "awful, why am I here everyone is so mean day".  She told me how they have huge bird houses I can paint and lots of fun things to do while I heal.  THEN I had to get my blood drawn...DUN DUN DUNNNNNN.

It wasn't that bad. After they pinned me down when I tried to run away. They also gave me a bunch of colorful sparkely paper to use for art stuff.  After a couple more things I was done! 

We ate a quick late lunch but the weather was to bad to come home. So I am at a hotel with my mom and great-grandmother about to go to P.F. Changs for dinner. I wonder what I will get?



Me as a horseshoe.



Art on the wall in the x-ray waiting room. Love this!

We have arrived.

So we beat the weather and have arrived at Shriners. They have fabulous family rooms so we don't have to fight the ice in the morning. A fantastic hotel room in the hospital.  I am snuggling up in my new fuzzy socks, my teddy bear you all signed, and blanket given to me today from my fantastic class.  If anyone is thinking I am lucky to miss school...guess who has to wake up early on a snow day?  I have to wake up early to be downstairs at 7 am. Just like any other school day. :-)  At least I don't have to put on a uniform or go outside.  We will update tomorrow after my pre-surgery tests. No spelling tests though!

So this is a picture of the x-ray of my back.  Isn't it different?  I learned today I am going to have some surgery to straighten my spine on Monday January 28, 2013.  I knew it would happen I just didn't know it was so soon.  It will be at The Shriners Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina.  

I am going to come out TWO INCHES TALLER! Finally I will be taller than Charlie. Ha! HA!  

I am going to the hospital Monday at 6 am.  So you can pray for me and I will appreciate it.

My mom says we can get a pedicure this weekend and I can have my toes painted my favorite color pink! Maybe I will get sparkles too. 

You can check back anytime and my mom will update this blog while I can't.  Let me know if you have any questions and we can find out the answers.

Wish me good luck!

Lala Lizzie

obi chose to stay inside and sit on the heating vent.

i chose to go sledding

Looking Good!

Dressed and ready for the MRI at the Shriners      

Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina 1/14/13.