As stated in the title, Savanna had her BEST X-RAY EVER today! First, I'll hit the highlights of the last 6 months, and then I will get into her doctor's appointment.
Recent Adventures
Ballet Recital in May
Kindergarten Graduation
Someone Turned the Big SIX! (Yes, it was Pony Mayhem then, and still is now!)
Family Trip to the Beach
Trip to Ohio
Summer Camp Festivities
Starting First Grade
Apple Picking
Fun Run Day
More Apple Picking Fun
Family Hike
Rainbow Baby
Halloween - We were ponies from My Little Pony. Did you even have to guess? We were Scootaloo (Savanna), Rainbow Dash (Emerson), Big Mac (Brent), and Fluttershy (Me).
Family Photos - Our friend's awesome husband took these for us!
Trip to Shriners
Savanna and I traveled to Shriners for her appointment on November 28, 2018. In preparation for her x-ray, she did not wear her Providence brace for about 48 hours prior to the appointment. We do this so that her spine will have time to relax into more of its "natural state" for a more accurate look at her curve(s), if any are present.
First, we met with Dr. Pete's folks in the clinic, and then we were taken to x-ray. Next, we met with Dr. Pete to discuss the findings. Her spine has improved!!! This is her BEST x-ray to date! She is down to between 10 and 14 degrees. The physician's assistant (PA) measured 13.9 degrees, but she said she was being "generous" and looking for the worst curve possible. Dr. Pete said he measured about 10 degrees. Very, very cool stuff! She has continued to get correction in this night brace! The PA was amazed that Savanna had not worn the brace in 48 hours and she got this x-ray. What awesome news!
This photo is from today at between 10-14 degrees (Left) and around 16 degrees (Right).
From today with measurement (Left) and February 2018 (Right).
This is where she started with casting at 52 degrees in January 2014.
What a long journey it has been so far, and continues to be to an extent, but as Dr. Pete said, "We have won the war. We may have some more small battles along the way, but we have won the war." :-) Slow and steady wins the race!!
The amazing Dr. Pete
We also got to hang out with Savanna's scoli buddy Lyla, which is always fun!
Finally, we met with the POPS (Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services) to have her brace looked at and to have any needed adjustments made. She got some new cool blue straps!
What's next?
Because we are continuing to see improvement, we will continue along the same path of wearing the Providence brace every night. Savanna is scheduled to see Dr. Pete again in 6 months, sometime in May 2019. We don't know what the future holds, but likely night brace wearing for a long time yet to come. However, we will take today as a 'win,' and will take it day by day otherwise.
Thank Goodness for Skilled and Caring Nurses and Doctors
As mentioned previously, Savanna started her casting journey at the age of 19 months with a curve of 52 degrees. Thank goodness we were able to get help for her early on! We are very lucky/blessed that we have a top-notch hospital skilled in scoliosis care, only about 1.5 hours away from us. Some people wonder, how bad could it have been if we had not had access to early intervention and Mehta casting? Why would it have been a problem? Below is a scary, yet eventually heart-warming story of a boy with severe scoliosis that had a limited life expectancy due to his scoliosis, until he was able to find the right doctor who could help him. This is certainly an extreme case, but it scares me to think about how severe Savanna's curve would have been without proper care.
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/283468862274573/
Thanks for reading and for keeping Savanna in your thoughts! Thanks also to all of our friends and family that remember Savanna's doctors appointments and check in with us!
Here's to a continuing-to-straighten spine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Holidays!
