Well, it has been many months since I have updated this blog but I know that the word is out that Emma is preparing for another major surgery and some of you are wondering what is going on. So, here it is.
Over the past years Emma's spine curve has been steadily increasing. She is now over 80 degrees curved in her thorasic spine and I believe the lumbar curve is over 60 degrees. This has not been a surprise to us or Emma's surgeons as this is a typical progression of scoliosis and they had told us from the start that it would worsen as she grew. She has progressed now to a level where the surgeons want to intervene to protect her internal organs from damage. The S curve she has makes her quite compressed and they do not want her lungs and heart etc to suffer damage from lack of room. So, Emma is scheduled to have this delt with on July 19th Lord willing.
Yesterday we spent the day at Children's going through pre op. This, just like before consists of meeting with the nurses, physio, anasthetic, having blood work done, doing pulmunary function tests, signing paperwork and seeing her surgeon. Everything went smoothly and we met some of the same people that we saw before Emma's last surgery in 2008.
The scope of her surgery (I appologize if you are squeemish.) is to surgically lessen the curve in Emma's thorasic and possibly the top one or two lumbar vertebra. They will do this by removing some bone around her genetic defects that consist of a couple of verteba that are naturally fused together to help to provide a bit of mobility there before he does the surgical fusion as the birth defect fusions in her spine are not the type of fusion that he is trying to achieve. There is another hemi-vertebra that will need to have some bone removed as well. Then, he will try to straigten out the top 80 degree curve as much as possible without compromising the integrity of her spinal chord. He won't know how much this will be until he is in there. We are happy that the Dr. anticipates that her bottom curve will follow suite and that surgery will not be required in that area. We are hopeful that this is the case but again, he will not know for sure until he is doing the surgery. Then they will fuse her thorasic spine using bone which will hopefully grow together. To hold it all in place they will use pins and rods but it is the bone fusion that is essential for a successful surgery. (There is a slim possibility of a failed fusion which could cause the rods to break because believe it or not it is the bone fusing that provide the stability that is neccessary. The Dr. describes the pins and rods as a cast but it is the strength of that the bone growing together that gives Emma the stability she needs.)The surgery is expected to take somewhere between 6 and 10 hours.
Emma will be in hospital for 5 to 7 days depending on how fast she recovers but she is a bit of an overachiever so she will likely get to go home day 5 or so. I will be staying with her in hospital during that time and my mom will look after our other kids when Keith can't be here.
Some of you have asked how you could pray:
1. Please pray for Emma and our family's health over the next few weeks. Emma will not be able to have the surgery if she is sick.
2. For a peace that passes all understanding for Emma and for our family.
3. For our kids and their grandma who will be looking after them.
4. For the surgeon and others that will be helping with her surgery. For wisdom, health and a good night's sleep before the surgery.
5. For a success both in the taking of the fusion and the best possible outcome for Emma.
6.For God to be glorified.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." 1Pet. 4:12-13
Thank you all so much for your prayers and love and care for our family.
Love the Grooms
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