3 Weeks Post-Op

Yesterday was Natalia's three-week post-op visit with her surgeon at Children's.  Dr. Krengel is very pleased with Natalia's progress and feels that her recovery is on track.  She is able to begin resuming "normal" activities, including school, as she can tolerate them.  Sitting for long periods, especially on hard chairs, is still very tiring and difficult, but getting better with each day.  Yesterday, by the time we got to Seattle, she was ready to lie down. She has only gained 2 pounds back from her weight loss - need to keep working on that!  She is supposed to walk daily, working up to 45 to 60 minutes daily.  Hmmm...if it would stop raining that would be a lot easier!

We did ask about the "hardware" - she has eleven screws, four hooks, and two titanium rods - 5.5 millimeter in diameter.   She will get special "attention" going through airport security for sure :-)

We are so very thankful for modern medicine, a very talented surgeon, a wonderful Children's Hospital, and a (so far) smooth recovery!   May it continue!

Natalia & Dr. Krengel

Natalia's amazing doctor

This is Natalia's doctor at Seattle Children's Hospital.   He is the head of the orthopedic spinal team there, and truly an amazing and gifted doctor. We are so thankful to benefit from his expertise!  Children's Hospital is such an amazing facility as well - truly top notch!

http://youtu.be/MtRKAXmFxIU

2 weeks post-op

Today marks 2 weeks since Natalia's spinal fusion surgery. We are constantly amazed at how quickly things change and how well Natalia is recovering. Natalia lost 8 pounds, which she didn't really have to lose, but we are doing our best to put those pounds back on. Natalia is managing her pain well, and mostly able to cover it with Tylenol, except at night. Her rotated ribs seem to cause her as much, or maybe more, pain than her back itself. We met with her school tutor last Thursday, and she has started to work on some school work, which is wonderful. Stamina is the big thing right now - there just isn't much! Simple tasks, and even sitting up for extended periods really tire Natalia out. But every day is a little bit better, and she is a little stronger! We are so very thankful for the availability of modern medicine and all they can do. It still amazes us to see how very straight Natalia is! Thank you for all your visits, cards, gifts, prayers and thoughts - they've brightened our days and helped us along the journey immeasurably!

Big DayS

In re-reading the blog posts, I realized that I began each day with "Today (or day three, four, whatever) was a BIG day." That just kind of sums up the week for us - one BIG day after another! We are settling in at home, working to keep Natalia comfortable, entertained, and as active as possible. Rob goes back to work tomorrow, and Johanna returns to school. Hoping for an uneventful week, with not quite such BIG days!

Before and After

You cannot really imagine the difference in Natalia's back. At her pre-op appointment, her thoracic (top) curve was at 73 degrees, and her bottom (lumbar) compensatory curve was at 40 degrees. Her curve progressed very rapidly - last August, on her first x-ray, her thoracic curve was 32 degrees. Because of the large curve and rapid progression, her spine was also pulling and rotating her ribs. We were warned that this would not likely be corrected, as the ribs begin to grow in the new/rotated position. Dr. Krengel was amazed at how much her ribs did return to normal position and so we are very thankful for that! X-rays taken yesterday indicate the thoracic curve is now at 19 degrees, and the lumbar at 17 degrees, which is an unnoticeable curve that balances itself out. And because a picture is worth more than 1000 words - here are the before and after pics:

Before - a big S curve

Before: the curve causing spine and rib rotation

Before: this is what a 73 degree curvature looks like on x-ray

After: x-ray shows 2 rods and hooks/screws

After: first look at the incision on day four - so STRAIGHT!

Day Four Post-Op

Day four was a BiG dAY! The day started off at 6 am when the orthopedic team came in to change the bandage - what a way to wake up! It was our first look at the incision. It is amazing, and very straight! X-rays at 9, followed by physical therapy at 10:30. The final physical therapy "test" was to go up and down a flight of stairs - she "passed"! So, that meant we were free to go home after lunch! The nurse told us our discharge morning went very smoothly, with all the steps just falling in line, and that "hardly ever happens." We left the hospital at 2 pm, and headed north, hoping for minimal traffic on a Friday afternoon. We lucked out and made it home by 4! We were worried that the road bumps would cause a lot of pain, but I guess we had enough pillows as she didn't complain!

Lots of support from little sister Johanna

With Dad and Mom

Cousin visitors: Ben & Zoe

Final PT test

IV's coming out - removing that tape isn't any fun

Leaving room 3007 for the last time

Headed Home!!!

Home!

We are SO glad to be home. Exhausted, but happy and thankful. The ride went pretty well, and no major traffic issues which was a bonus since we left Seattle at 2 pm on Friday of a holiday weekend. Natalia had x-rays this morning and her curve is now only 19 degrees, down from 73. Will post Day Four pictures later...must go to bed!

Day Three Post-Op

Today was a BIG day! Natalia is up and walking!! Getting up, and getting back down is the biggest challenge, but she is definitely rising to it. The first walk was to the measuring station...and she "grew" 1 3/4 inches to 5 foot 5 3/4 inches. Definitely looking at mom eye to eye! Appetite is a little inconsistent, but growing. She wanted bacon this afternoon and after an order to the kitchen they sent up a whole big plate of bacon, crispy just like she ordered it! She has been sitting up the last couple hours in a recliner, and we got her out of her hospital gown and into street clothes so things seem a little more "normal." Uncle Mike, Aunt Lynn and Nevan came to visit which was a great distraction. If all goes well, Dr. says we can go home tomorrow after lunch, so that is exciting, and a little scary too! We are amazed at how straight Natalia looks. She'll have x-rays tomorrow so we'll know exactly how straight she is. Hopefully our update tomorrow will be from home!!!

Working on a craft project in bed

1st walk down the hall

Getting measured - 5' 5 3/4"

Visiting with Nevan, Uncle Mike, Aunt Lynn

Special order crispy bacon

2nd walk with Dad

Dressed and up in the chair

3rd walk - made it around the whole loop!

Day Two Post-op

Today was another big day for Natalia. She began eating a little more, and moved to oral meds. Physical therapy included standing, taking a few steps and then sitting up in a chair! Natalia was amazing, and really did most of it herself even though she didn't think she could! Grandpa Bill, Uncle Mike and Nevan stopped by for a brief visit today too. Tomorrow morning they hope to remove the catheter and have her walking a bit more. She will get measured to see how much she grew! Thinking she's pretty close to eye to eye with mom now. Hoping for a good night!

Favorite nurse Kolene

Standing for the first time (yep she's a bit taller than the PT)

Sitting in the chair after walking a few steps

Day One Post-Op

Today was a big day - first day post-op. For the most part the day went well. We appreciated our visitors very much - each one brightened our day! Natalia was able to sit on the edge of her bed three times, for about 3 minutes each time. This was a lot of work and she was very tired after each time. Even though the morphine auto drip turned off this morning, Natalia was able to control her pain fairly well and never reported higher than a "3-4" for pain on the scale of 1-10. She hasn't really eaten anything yet, other than a few bites of applesauce, so hopefully tomorrow her appetite will resume so she can gain more strength for tomorrow's goal - standing!

Some super fun balloons delivered this morning

Visitors Jenny D, Kirstin Y and Carrie C

Visitors Lorena H, Miranda B, Johanna, and Nicole H

Sitting up for the 1st time with the PT

She made it!

Surgery was a success!

After a long day yesterday, we were very thankful to meet with Dr. Krengel around 8 pm and hear - "the surgery was very straightforward and everything went perfectly." Natalia's surgery started around 3:30 pm and lasted about 3 1/2 hours. The report is that her curve is "very straight." Her ribs also rotated back significantly which was an unexpected bonus! The night was long (or short depending on your perspective) - with hourly checks and turns, but Rob and I managed to catch a little sleep in between checks. Natalia reportedly came into her room last night as "the best spinal patient they've had in years" - managing her pain very well. She hasn't reported more than a level 3 pain (with 0 being none and 10 be the most pain you've ever had in your life. We are feeling so incredibly thankful this morning....

Pre-surgery 4/2/12

With Grandma Glenda shortly after getting to her room

Cuddling with Lovey

Tomorrow is the BIG day

Natalia's surgery is tomorrow. Tomorrow. Will likely be the longest, hardest day yet in parenthood for us. Surgery check-in is at 1:20, with surgery scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm. The surgery will be 3-4 hours, then recovery time following that, so we won't likely see our girl until nearly 9 pm. We are thankful for family and friends that will be there waiting with us. And those that will be with us in spirit.

Natalia is doing very well...calm and trusting. She is amazing. 'Tis a good example for the rest of us.

We'll be at Seattle Childrens:

4800 Sand Point Way NE

Seattle, WA 98105

206-987-2000

We'll hope/plan to update as we are able following surgery. Thank you for walking this road together with us! We feel your love, care and prayers...