My kids have always been very healthy. So, I admit, I skip back to school check ups. Unless, of course someone is due for an immunization. I know if they're growing. I know if they're gaining weight or not. I know if they need glasses. But Cora's back hurt. And her knees were hurting. So I figured a check up was in order. Routine pediatrician visit-check the weight, check the height (taller than her older sister!!), heart, lungs, ears and eyes. So I ask him to take a look at Cora's knees. Dancing at summer camp had really taken a toll on her body. She seemed to be achy and in pain alot more than usual. Dr. Knorr has her stand up and bend over (we all remember that from 7th grade scoliosis checks, yes?) Im sitting directly in his line of sight as he scans her back, and there is no mistaking the disturbed look on his face. "Im thinking Cora has scoliosis. It looks like a 20 degree curvature. You need to get this checked out!" He sends us to the hospital immediately for xrays. The hospital technician came out and asked us to call back our doctors office. He felt we had the wrong tests ordered and wanted to make sure we got a full picture of the spine. The technician comes to us and tells us we are all done and are welcome to leave...without showing us the xrays. I feel my "Mama Bear" starting to rise and ask to see the xrays. We are taken into a quiet back room and shown one of the most shocking things Ive ever seen. I snap a picture on my phone and Cora and I turn to leave. I have no idea what just happened. Cora is crying and asking questions and I have no answers. None. The next morning, first thing, I get a call from her pediatrician. "Mrs. Stalder, Im so sorry..." The 20 degree curvature we had assumed was actually and "S" curve with Cobb angles of 55 degrees and 49 degrees. He kindly gives us a phone number of a local spine specialist and wishes us the best of luck. That night I did ALOT of research. I know they say not to consult "Dr. Google" but at that point, that was all I had. I locked myself in my room to make some calls,(no one needs mom more than when shes on an important call). All signs pointed to Dr. John Smith. With rights at Primary Children's Hospital. He could see us the very next day. Dr Smith was very kind, but all business. I think after 30 years you would have to shut yourself off a bit from the emotion of operating on children and just stick to the nuts and bolts. We are told there is no bracing that would help, no therapy, no chiropractor care that can fix her back. Spinal fusion is our only option. So I'll admit, I thought of dollar signs. Can we afford a specialist? What will our insurance say? What do I do now? I had read spinal fusion for scoliosis can cost up to $500,000.00. So, I'll back track. We've had a rough year in the Stalder family. Steve had complete reconstruction of his foot and ankle in the spring, I have an older daughter with chronic daily headaches we've struggled to treat and she was also part of an accident earlier in the summer that we thought had broken her neck. Not to mention ailing parents and being sued (SUED!!)...but that's all another story. Our insurance had really been a blessing to us, but not as much as when I was told we were covered 100% for scoliosis surgery. 100%! I just broke down sobbing to the poor insurance rep on the phone. She probaby doesnt get to give good news very often. So we went home from seeing the surgeon and prayed. And cried. And hugged Cora so tight. And she prayed. And cried. And we all sat there in silence, wondering what in the world we do next. I felt as if we were the only people in the world that had ever delt with this. And then the doorbell rang. She was dressed in a flowy white dress, an older woman. Really not the type of woman you would see showing up on your doorstep to tell you how crappy your driveway looked and that she would like to give you a bid for pouring new concrete. Random, right?? I break down into tears, telling her we just received such bad news and that now wasnt a good time. And this random Concrete Angel puts her hand on my shoulder and says "Do not worry. My daughter of the same age just came throught this same thing with this same surgeon at the same hospital and she is fine. You will all be okay." So, I'll leave it at that. Little miracles. Big miracles. Lots of tears. Lots of questions. I'll continue to write, more for my benefit than yours. But hopefully, there is some sweet kid or mom out there looking for our story and I can help give them some hope. 14 days till surgery...
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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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