Fast Forward to July08

Just last week we took Emma back in to see the specialist at Children's. Turns out her regular Dr. was away and she saw "the other surgeon" that her Dr. kept saying he would consult with. When we met the new Dr. he told us that he was very sorry but he had never seen Emma's file before and felt that this was a pretty complicated case to have thrown on his desk without warning. He apologized a few times for having not reviewed Emma's scans before that appointment. He did take a few moments right then though to look at them and noticed right away the problem with her neck and spinal chord. He talked to me in great detail about the risks to Emma if she does not have the surgery.(I gave Emma the option to leave the room, and she took it. I hardly blame her. My heart was pounding and I kept wishing that I could leave the room too.) Including slow loss of function, which cannot be regained, a spinal attack, similar to a heart attack, and slow deterioration of her spinal chord aka sick spine. She is also a greater risk of serious injury and cannot do many of the things she loves ever again. (trampoline, horseback riding etc.) This right now is her greatest upset and sense of loss. Please pray that she will find other interests to take the place of these activities.

He also told us the surgery risks. Besides the normal risks of surgery she will loose 50% of her head motion up and down and 50% of her head motion side to side. He said she had a 1 in 250 chance of some tingling/numbness in her extremities and a 1 in I think he said 1100 chance of paralasis. (I didn't find these statistics very comforting.) I asked him if he was recommending the surgery and he said yes. He also told me that the wait time for this surgery would normally be about 18-24 months but under the circumstances he would like to do it in 4-6 months. This surgery will provide Emma with a reasonable amount of safety in her neck but will still not make it safe enough for her to do the activities that she would like to do. We both had a good cry about this in the parking lot at the hospital. This surgery also most likely requires a halo (which will I think provide the greatest challenge for Emma) for 6-10 weeks.

Keith and I will be seeing the surgeons on August 21 for another consultation and her surgery will be booked at that time.

Please pray:
1. For wisdom for both us and the Dr.'s on how to proceed.
2.That Emma would remain in good health until the pressure can be removed from her spine.We are amazed and so thankful that she has been well thus far.
3.For Emma's and our family's emotional and spiritual health.
4. For peace that passes all understanding.


We trust that God will ultimately use this for Emma's and our good and for His glory and we have seen time and time again His care and faithfulness to our family. Our great God is in control of all these things and He loves us and Emma and He made her just as she is. This brings us much comfort.