Paige Gets Straightened Out

On August 9th we were back in Salt Lake City at the Shriners Hospital for Paige's second surgery in 5 months. A spinal fusion procedure was done to correct the Scoliosis caused by the Chiari Malformation. As they wheeled her into surgery, my emotions were running high and I said to Jeff, "I feel like I am leading a lamb to the slaughter."

The surgery took six hours. The surgeon placed two titanium rods along each side of her spine and titanium screws into 13 vertebrae to get as much stabilization and correction of the curvature as possible.  Paige was fused from vertebrae T3 to L2. I am happy to report that the surgery was a huge success!

Curvature before surgery: 69 degrees.
Curvature after surgery: 20 degrees.

AND
She grew 3 inches!

In recovery the first thing Paige asked was, "were they able to get my back very straight?" 

You've got to see it to believe it!
Before and After X-Rays

WOW!

Her recovery was slow and painful, but the doctors and nurses at Shriners Hospital took great care of her, and were able to give her pain relief. For the first 3 days she had an epidural and a self administered morphine pump. (She was definitely a conservative pump pusher.) Thank goodness for narcotics!

I.C.U

 

Post- Op Day One
Goal for the day: sitting at the edge of the bed.
 The first time she was able to sit for 3 minutes, warned the nurse she was going to pass out and then fainted. The second time she sat that day, it was for 5 minutes.

The first time I saw her back, I cried. Seriously. It looked so good.
(Isn't that a huge band aide?)

Post- Op Day Two
Goal: to sit in a chair for 15 minutes, 2 times.

It was as painful, hard and miserable as it looks!

Paige spent three days in the I.C.U. She doesn't remember a lot about those days. I am really glad. :)

Day Three Post- Op
 The nurse walked into her room at 7 a.m day three post- op. and said, "We need to get his girl sobered up!" And they did. Paige was pulled of the IV narcotics and epidural and put on oral pain meds. She was moved to her regular room that afternoon.


Post- Op Day 4
Walking, Walking, Walking

Paige day 7

Paige loved her physical therapist Mike, and was so excited to see him walk into the room. (Not!) One day while doing her walking for therapy she said, "I think Mike is trying to wear me out!"

Day 9
Going Home!

Paige's doctor was Dr. Stephen Santora M.D. He is an amazing surgeon, and such a nice, caring person. I have a new-found appreciation for the doctors who spend most of their young adulthood  learning how to fix the human body.

The heroes of the hospital are of course the kind and gentle nurses. I appreciate all that they did to make Paige as happy and comfortable as possible. They are wonderful men and women.

This was truly a growing experience. Paige was amazing. Brave. Strong. She never complained , questioned, or asked, "Why me?" She is such a great example of how to face and overcome a challenge. It was my privilege to be by her side and care for her during this experience.

Now the healing and recovery process begins. I am sure she will handle it with as much grace and maturity as as she has shown so far.

We have been so blessed.