Update February 2011

It’s been a while since I have updated Jessica’s blog. After two trips to Germany for stem cell treatment and back surgery in Montreal, I thought it was about time to send along an update.

The two stem cell treatments have given Jessica much needed strength in her torso, hand co-ordination and better focus on people and life in general. We have especially noticed that her interest and ability to play with her toys has improved immensely! She seems to get into everything and anything that might be around her even if she has to move around to get at it. I laugh every time I leave Jessica in her room on the floor. She ALWAYS seems to find her way over to her diaper basket, pull herself up onto her knees and empty every last one out! As a parent, I can only cross my fingers that this kind of treatment and opportunity will one day be offered to children like Jessica. The improvements have been amazing to watch.

Last May, just after Jessica’s second stem cell treatment in Germany, we were off to Montreal for back surgery. Jessica’s Scoliosis was progressing at an alarming rate and her curve was measuring at 118 degrees. It was getting to the point where it was going to cause adverse health issues due to the pressure being put on several organs. From the time Jessica had her MRI in Montreal to the time of her scheduled surgery, just 5 months, her scoliosis had progresses another seven degrees pushing the curve to 125 degrees! The Orthopaedic Surgeon said he had not seen such an aggressive curve in someone so young. Despite the many possible complications that could have arisen, the surgery went amazing and the rods brought Jessica’s spine back to the 34 degree mark. She was released from the hospital very quickly and her healing rate incredible. We attribute this fast recovery to the fresh, healthy stem cells circulating through her spinal fluid. The straightened spine has allowed Jessica to be much more stable and allowed her to move around even better than before. A recent follow-up has revealed that her curve is stable at 33 degrees but the spine continues to rotate or “twist”. The Surgeon isn’t happy with this but as he said from the start, the rods will “buy us time” until Jessica’s organs are more developed at which time more surgery will be inevitable. We will be making regular trips to Montreal for follow-up, close to every three months.