...was the first time Jessica wheeled into the Children's Hospital in Montreal to have 4 rods put into her back to straighten her 125 degree curve. By doing this surgery we were buying her some time to allow her lungs and heart to develop.
Today was Jessica's regular six month follow-up on her back at Shriner's Hospital in Montreal. We have tried to prepared for this day when her doctor says it's time to go back in, but I don't think you are truly ready to hear those words.
Jessica's back has gone another 10 degrees from our last visit. That now puts her at 40 degree curvature. Anyone that has seen Jessica's back lately has noticed a bump forming in the middle of her back. This bump is actually one of her rods starting to protrude out. The concern is that the rod may puncture her skin which would allow bacteria to enter her spin...NOT GOOD!
Here is her most recent x-ray that was taken today. I'll try my best to explain.
This is the side profile of her back. If you look closely, you can see the rod sticking out. That is the bump you see when you look at her back.
The second X-ray shows how the rods are twisting. The four rods should be straight so they could glide up and down during her growth spurts. The problem that's happening with Jessica is that her curve is putting pressure on her rods, not allowing her to grow. From the day the rods were put into her back, they have not gone up in length.
So now we wait for a surgery date. The Doctor would like to see the surgery happen sooner than later, so we are looking sometime in November.
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