Cora had her one month check up this week. This is the only contact I've had from her doctors office since we left the hospital. We've had a couple brief phone calls, but no other visits, therapy or checkups. I found that rather strange! This has just been so life altering for my daughter, however, I have felt very unsupported from the doctors office. What was I expecting? Well, I guess I have no idea since I've never mastered a spinal fusion before, but at least some physical therapy or additional nurses visits?? So, the healing was left up to Cora. And man, she has nailed it! This girl is a ROCK STAR. Check out these X-rays: What kind of freaky sci-fi hocus pocus is this?? Am I right? The rods! The screws!! That side by side comparison really shocks me every time I see it. Before surgery. Her right shoulder blade stuck out rather far, her waist was very uneven, and in looking closely, you can see that "S" curve in her spine. 1 month after surgery. Beautiful waistline, even shoulders, gorgeous posture and a pretty sweet scar! We tell her to be proud of her scar, her badge of bravery that not many people can compare to. Cora has always been special, this just adds to her amazingness! Doctor tells us she can drive now, but to be honest, I'm not ready for that. She can't look over her shoulder very well and I don't think her strength or reaction time would be there yet to prevent an accident. In two more months she can swim gently or ride a stationary bike or set out for an easy walk. She's still out of school but should be returning after the new year. She is sleeping in her own bed. We had a silly goodby to her handy dandy hospital bed and trapeze as they left today. The staff at the hospital told us it would be a waste of time and money to get one...they were WRONG. It kept her comfortable, on the main level with the family, and was able to support her in ways a normal bed couldn't. I am very glad I felt strongly about pushing the hospital staff to get one delivered for her. How can I prove to you all how much she has healed? She's back in the kitchen, making me some cookie dough :) And she let me take her and her big sister to the mall for makeovers, pedicures and lunch. Man, she was exhausted after that trip, but we sure had a memorable day. But, the moment I knew my Cora was back was when I was tucked into a blanket, all comfy on the couch and SHE hopped up to get something for me. "Don't get up, mom. You're all cozy. I can get it for you." Ah, my sweet, thoughtful, precious girl. How I have missed you.
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Homework and homework and more homework. My goodness, she's drowning in homework! I never noticed before how much homework one teenager has. We chip away at it daily, and have come to the conclusion that if Cora didn't sleep in until noon everyday, she might have even more time to devote to studies. Haha! Guess waking up earlier is a good plan. Because she is so far behind, and it would totally confuse her to jump back into classes right now, I believe we are going to keep her home through the new year. Hopefully she will be caught up on classwork by then and can jump back in. Well, jumping might not be a good idea.... This lineup had been her regime of meds for a month. I've got a handy dandy little spreadsheet to keep them all straight. I still mess it up! We are seeing a lot of brain fog and inability to focus on schoolwork as a side effect. Because of that, Cora is now only taking ibuprofen for pain control. We're so happy to be off the narcotics!! Her nerve pain is still there, and we can't seem to find any meds to help. So for now, prayer is our help and we will continue to ask God to take away that constant burning in her back. The boys continue to fuss over her. They keep adding decorations to her room, making it "more Christmas-y". Marshall made the smiley face hanging in the corner and was in tears wanting it to be hung perfectly for his "Cowa". Their daily prayers are full of pleading for Cora's back and her general health to be good. The whole family has grown to love Cora even more through serving her during this time. This picture was taken the night before surgery. Cora was just a touch taller than than her big sister. This picture is taken one month after surgery. Look at that difference! Cora grew almost two inches from the surgery. I'm curious if she'll continue to keep growing! It has been a GREAT week physically for Cora. She is moving well, becoming more independent, and getting out of the house on short trips. Emotionally, life kinda stinks. She misses her school friends, feels left out of social events and is just plain tired of laying in bed all day. It's hard to keep a happy face when life has gone on without you. It hurts. I'm sure many of you can relate. We are hoping life will get back to normal pretty soon!
Cora had a couple highlights this week that we want to focus on! First, we had a couple dear friends come over and bring us lunch and stay to professionally give Cora a gel polish manicure. Now to the average reader that may seem silly, but if you are a 15 year old girl, or have ever BEEN a 15 year old girl, it's pretty awesome. Cora keeps telling me how pretty her hands look :) Cora can get up to switch rooms, she can sit up to play cards, she can stand to shower, she can even go up and down stairs. The hardest part has been stamina. She doesn't last very long at any of these activities. But Friday night was the Winter Dance Concert. She would have been front and center for most of the program. It was killing her not to be there. So, because she had had several good days in a row and I knew she could sit for the program I told her we could try it. I dressed her super warm, packed her in the car, and said a little prayer. Oy! My nerves! Man, look at that face! She was so excited to get out. She did great in the car, quite a change from the last car ride 3 weeks ago! Good thing the high school is only 4 minutes away though, I drove like a grandma. We got to the school and I literally drove up on the sidewalk to the front doors to minimize they walking distance she would have. Haha! She was so embarrassed. Love it! We got inside and one by one dancers came out of the classrooms and halls. "Cora! Cora!" It was so heartwarming to see how much she was missed. They all said the kindest things. But the best part by far was the surprise we had planned. The Dance Company was already on stage behind the curtain, listening to a motivational speech made by one of the mothers. When the speaker got to the part about "dancing for our loved ones who couldn't be here, especially our sweet Cora", Cora appeared through the heavy black stage curtain to greet them! Honest to goodness, I've never seen teenage girls FREAK OUT to that level. They all lunged at Cora to hug her!! But being the massively overprotective, highly nervous and cautious mother that I am, I stopped them short! DONT TOUCH MY GIRL! Okay, fine. Baby hugs were finally allowed and man the tears flowed!! Every one of those girls had to redo their makeup. It was awesome! Sitting in the audience after the surprise, Cora narrated to me every song choice, every difficult dance position, every costume highlight as if she was on stage with her Dance Co. I'm sure we drove the audience around us nuts but my girl was happy. Unfortunately, she paid for that outing. The next 4 days have been spent in bed with nerve pain and mounds of frustration. Cora is normally the happiest, silliest, most active person I know. To lay in bed for a month has been really, really hard on her. She was hoping to be back to school, hanging with her friends and picking up life again. But her body just isn't cooperating yet.
I feel so blessed that the holidays are approaching. She will pause for a while and she won't continue to get any farther behind, at least for the holiday break. The teachers and staff continue to be so helpful and patient as she turns in her school assignments slowly but surely. We keep holding to hope for the future and are eager to get her life back bit by bit. ❤️ |
AuthorMy name is Kirsty. I am the mom of an amazingly courageous daugher with scoliosis. This is our story. Archives
June 2019
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