Olivia

March 1, 2002

I'm in the same position tho I am not needing reading glasses yet I am promised

they will be needed in the not too

distant future! I can't stand the thought of even wearing contacts so lazer

surgery for me is a big no no, I am too

cowardly! But for my two older kids it would be great. Naomi is only a little

nearsighted and could get rid of

glasses altogether which would be good for her sports and Ben is very near

sighted and would benefit from a reduction

in his prescription. Notice how I am willing to put my kids under the lazer and

not me!!!

sue wong

linman42@... wrote:

> Hi,

> I have been nearsighted since I was 10. My othamologist kept pushing the

> lazer surgery. Then finally I asked him if I was eventually going to need

> reading glasses? And he said that considering my age - it was almost

> inevitable that I would. So I decided, why have the surgery if in a year or

> so I will have to wear glasses any way.

>

> Since this past summer I have needed glasses for farsightedness. so I got

> the progressive lenses and they are fine. I am so used to wearing glasses,

> that's why I opted to go that way instead.

>

> ~ Mom to 11 DS and 7 NY

>

> Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for

messages to go to the sender of the message.

>

March 1, 2002

Patty, Praying for Olivia here in Ohio. I hope

everyone gets well soon:-) Happy Birthday and

congratulations on being able to do the eye surgery:-)

I would love to have that done, my nearsightedness is

getting worse the older I get (33 now)...The doctor

said something about apnea when (5 1/2

mos-DS)had his last heart cath, but I have personally

never noticed anything...Did you notice with Olivia?

Should I be concerned about that...this is one reason

they are putting him completely out under general for

his next cath (on Wednesday providing he stays well)

and another is so they can have " a controlled study "

to see if his PH gets any better. This will determine

if he's correctible or not. also has severe

reflux and when he has a cold it gets really

bad...what were the reasons for doing the nissen

exactly? I asked about it a while ago with but

they didn't want to go there, but now he is at a stand

still with his weight...course he was sick and

couldn't keep anything down either, so that could be

part of it. Just curious on your thoughts about the

procedure and what's a t and a..is that tonsils and

adnoids? I didn't mean to turn this into 20

questions...sorry. Anyway, the reason I posted was to

let you know I'm going to pray for Olivia that all is

well with her. Our children have to go through so

much:-( Take care and God Bless,

Joy

--- Patty Derdzinski <pderdzinski@...> wrote:

>

> Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know that I am not

> really a stalker, but I have been rather busy with

> Olivia and the rest of my kids...Olivia stayed, and

> stayed, and stayed in the hospital, trying to be

> weaned from her O2, when my ped. finally called in a

> pulmonologist(? lung Dr). He scheduled a TOPS study,

> or sleep study, which showed in one night Livi had

> 47 episodes of obstructive apnea. Then ENT did a

> scope which showed a red, irritated esophagus. All

> this means is acid reflux. Which I had already

> guessed it may have been worse than suspected. But

> you know what - she didn't spit up in the hospital

> hardly at all, compared to home, or run these weird

> fevers that would come and go, and she was in the

> hosp 12 days before these tests were done. So she

> has ended up having a nissen procedure, and also a T

> & A (to help unobstruct her airway even more).

>

> During this entire time, she has been in the

> hospital. Except one day, this past Monday, 2/25. I

> was allowed to bring her home then, and guess what?

> I got a stomach bug that day! Then, my other 2 small

> ones had it on Tuesday (Livi's surgery day)...some

> things don't change! But thank God, Olivia didn't

> get it, and she is recovering, having Pedialyte

> today...I hope that she can finally get off the O2

> this time. She was feeling bad last night, crying

> with this tiny hoarse voice - and she never cries!

> Please keep her in your thoughts.

>

> One more thing I'd like to share - I turned 39

> yesterday, and my present from my husband will be to

> have a LASIX procedure on my eyes! I'm excited, I

> have been incredibly nearsighted since I was in 3rd

> grade. Thanks for listening!

>

> Patty

>

> mom to (17), (5), (2), &

> Olivia(7 mos: ds)

>

> ---------------------------------

>

March 1, 2002

Patty

I hope Olivia recovers well, and they can get the O2 off of her. Y'all have

had a long haul of it, but hopefully this will all work.

Happy Birthday and good luck with your surgery! I would love to have that

done, let us know how it goes..

Sharon

Mom to (10, DS) and (6)

Olivia

>

> Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know that I am not really a stalker, but

I have been rather busy with Olivia and the rest of my kids...Olivia stayed,

and stayed, and stayed in the hospital, trying to be weaned from her O2,

when my ped. finally called in a pulmonologist(? lung Dr). He scheduled a

TOPS study, or sleep study, which showed in one night Livi had 47 episodes

of obstructive apnea. Then ENT did a scope which showed a red, irritated

esophagus. All this means is acid reflux. Which I had already guessed it may

have been worse than suspected. But you know what - she didn't spit up in

the hospital hardly at all, compared to home, or run these weird fevers that

would come and go, and she was in the hosp 12 days before these tests were

done. So she has ended up having a nissen procedure, and also a T & A (to

help unobstruct her airway even more).

>

> During this entire time, she has been in the hospital. Except one day,

this past Monday, 2/25. I was allowed to bring her home then, and guess

what? I got a stomach bug that day! Then, my other 2 small ones had it on

Tuesday (Livi's surgery day)...some things don't change! But thank God,

Olivia didn't get it, and she is recovering, having Pedialyte today...I hope

that she can finally get off the O2 this time. She was feeling bad last

night, crying with this tiny hoarse voice - and she never cries! Please keep

her in your thoughts.

>

> One more thing I'd like to share - I turned 39 yesterday, and my present

from my husband will be to have a LASIX procedure on my eyes! I'm excited, I

have been incredibly nearsighted since I was in 3rd grade. Thanks for

listening!

>

> Patty

>

> mom to (17), (5), (2), & Olivia(7 mos: ds)

>

> ---------------------------------

>

March 1, 2002

Wow, I think Olivia is the youngest kid I know who has had her

tonsils and adenoids out. I hope thing settle down for now...the

first 2 years is always the hardest for most.

About her crying....my son didn't cry much either when he was a

baby. But he can cry at the drop of a hat now....he is the best fake

crier I know! Real tears and all. I should get him an agent and

move to Hollywood, hehe!

March 1, 2002

Hi Joy, Olivia had an apnea monitor at birth (or when she was sent home

anyway), but it wasn't an issue then. I think these obstructive apnea episodes

are a more recent thing, as her reflux has gotten worse. The Dr said she may

have been aspirating small amounts all this time, and chest xrays didn't pick it

up. She has never had a heart cath, but she did have a heart defect, VSD, which

was recently repaired. Does your have a heart defect? I know that the GI

surgeon talked about the nissen procedure for Olivia a few months ago, but then,

her heart was the big issue and that needed to be addressed first. The nissen

was to control the reflux, and since she was having anesthesia (?sp) for that,

the ENT Drs thought if a T & A (yes! - tonsils and adenoids) might improve her

airway, since our babies have larger-than-usual tongues and low muscle tone -

i.e., " floppy airway " , it was worth a try.

What is it that the Drs are trying to find out is correctable? I know what you

mean, about how much our babies go through....Olivia is so good-natured about

most of it, the nurses always tell me how sweet she is.

Joy Kline <onemore2adopt@...> wrote: Patty, Praying for Olivia here in

Ohio. I hope

everyone gets well soon:-) Happy Birthday and

congratulations on being able to do the eye surgery:-)

I would love to have that done, my nearsightedness is

getting worse the older I get (33 now)...The doctor

said something about apnea when (5 1/2

mos-DS)had his last heart cath, but I have personally

never noticed anything...Did you notice with Olivia?

Should I be concerned about that...this is one reason

they are putting him completely out under general for

his next cath (on Wednesday providing he stays well)

and another is so they can have " a controlled study "

to see if his PH gets any better. This will determine

if he's correctible or not. also has severe

reflux and when he has a cold it gets really

bad...what were the reasons for doing the nissen

exactly? I asked about it a while ago with but

they didn't want to go there, but now he is at a stand

still with his weight...course he was sick and

couldn't keep anything down either, so that could be

part of it. Just curious on your thoughts about the

procedure and what's a t and a..is that tonsils and

adnoids? I didn't mean to turn this into 20

questions...sorry. Anyway, the reason I posted was to

let you know I'm going to pray for Olivia that all is

well with her. Our children have to go through so

much:-( Take care and God Bless,

Joy

>

__________________________________________________

March 1, 2002

Hi Beth, I don't need reading glasses - I will ask about that. I was curious

myself. Most people become farsighted with age anyway - seeing far, but not

near, so I would think that may happen anyway, whether I have Lasix or not. But

I don " t know.

djackht@... wrote: Patty, do you need reading glasses now? My father

never did, til after he had Lasix. Now, he doesn't need his glasses for

driving, etc, but now he needs reading glasses. It's my understanding that it

is a risk you take. I don't think all people have those same results. But he

is happy with the overall result, and not having to wear glasses all the time!

Just thought I would pass this on. Good luck. I'm excited for you! Beth

Mom to Austin ds, 5, and Dakota, nonds, 5

Patty

mom to (17), (5), (2), & Olivia(7 mos: ds)

---------------------------------

March 2, 2002

I'm interested to know what a nissen is? I guess I turned this into question

21!!!

Loree

March 2, 2002

A nissen is (this is my best understanding) a part of the stomach that is

somehow wrapped around the top of the stomach, and it helps to constrict that

muscle at the top of the stomach, called the cardiac sphincter(has nothing to do

with heart, however). It is usually weak anyway, but some babies it is really

weak, and that allows this reflux to escape back up the esophagus, and cause all

these problems. Only thing is, they can't spit up, or throw up, and it

usually(?) relaxes as they age a few years, but some children need to have it

surgically loosened again. This is just what I remember Drs telling me.

Obviously, your babies didn't come with instruction manuals either!!

Patty

Loree5@... wrote: I'm interested to know what a nissen is? I guess I

turned this into question 21!!!

Loree

---------------------------------

March 2, 2002

Patty,

Thanks for the info on what a nissen is and (sigh), no my babies (all 5

of them) didn't come with an instruction manual. It probably wouldn't have

helped anyway, I always look at the pictures, hahaha

March 2, 2002

Hi,

I have been nearsighted since I was 10. My othamologist kept pushing the

lazer surgery. Then finally I asked him if I was eventually going to need

reading glasses? And he said that considering my age - it was almost

inevitable that I would. So I decided, why have the surgery if in a year or

so I will have to wear glasses any way.

Since this past summer I have needed glasses for farsightedness. so I got

the progressive lenses and they are fine. I am so used to wearing glasses,

that's why I opted to go that way instead.

~ Mom to 11 DS and 7 NY

March 2, 2002

Yes, all babies should come with an instruction manual. And my

daughter said they should have a handle on the side to carry them by, to

absorbed later like a tadpole tail. wonderful idea. Jessie

March 3, 2002

One more thing I'd like to share - I turned 39 yesterday, and my present from my

husband will be to have a LASIX procedure on my eyes!

I know a guy who gave the same gift to his wife. He said it was the best gift

she had received and she was so grateful. Happy Belated Birthday!

Patty

mom to (17), (5), (2), & Olivia(7 mos: ds)

---------------------------------

March 3, 2002

In a message dated 3/3/02 11:04:41 AM Central Standard Time,

sbntwong@... writes:

> But for my two older kids it would be great. Naomi is only a little

> nearsighted and could get rid of

> glasses altogether which would be good for her sports and Ben is very near

> sighted and would benefit from a reduction

> in his prescription. Notice how I am willing to put my kids under the

> lazer and not me!!!

>

> sue wong

>

I would love it for . He won't wear glasses and this has hampered

efforts at integration.

Karyn

January 11, 2003

> > Hello~

> > My name is Olivia, I had a successful BFL challenge in 2001 and

> lost

> > 12 pounds. I gained it back and then some, but I am back down to

a

> > reasonable weight and planning to get to my ultimate goal in the

> next

> > 12 weeks. My challenge started ysterday and I am doing the BFL

> > workouts with a slightly modified food plan.

> > I look forward to sharing successes and encouragement with you

all!

> > HAPPY NEW YEAR!

June 21, 2005

Liv is just beautiful. Love the orange. I am so glad Miss Mehta came to share her knowledge so the kids can get the BEST Cast!!!

Shellie"Gail M. Kimball" <gmkimball@...> wrote:

HRH sent me this pic of Olivia to post. Isn't she gorgeous?!!

Quoted from HRH's post: "Olivia has had casts on for years, and this one is by far superior to all the rest, because of the chest expansion window. She is able to take full, deep breaths because of this window. Her chest is not covered by the cast. Its open....No more risk of chest wall deformity, and she can fully expand her chest."

Gail************************************************"A Creative Mess is Better Than Tidy Idleness" (author unknown) - "I must be the most creative person on earth!" - Gail Kimball__________________________________________________

June 22, 2005

Thanks Shell,

The educational seminar was long overdue, and I am so relieved that American children can now benefit from early treatment with properly applied POP jackets. 7 yrs ago this was not an option to American families, and now that Miss Mehta has been here we hope to educate many more Orthopaedic surgeons in the U.S., on how to apply jackets early and properly with the knowledge Miss Mehta has gleened over the last 35 years.

talk soon,

HRH

Re: Olivia

Liv is just beautiful. Love the orange. I am so glad Miss Mehta came to share her knowledge so the kids can get the BEST Cast!!!

Shellie"Gail M. Kimball" <gmkimball@...> wrote:

HRH sent me this pic of Olivia to post. Isn't she gorgeous?!!

Quoted from HRH's post: "Olivia has had casts on for years, and this one is by far superior to all the rest, because of the chest expansion window. She is able to take full, deep breaths because of this window. Her chest is not covered by the cast. Its open....No more risk of chest wall deformity, and she can fully expand her chest."

Gail************************************************"A Creative Mess is Better Than Tidy Idleness" (author unknown) - "I must be the most creative person on earth!" - Gail Kimball

__________________________________________________

May 9, 2006

She looks so Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow. Thanks for posting them Gail. Olivia looks just like her Momma. That look of determination is just like you !!!! Can't wait to see you guys in a few days. ShellieGail Kimball <patsmum2000@...> wrote: I posted a couple pics of Olivia for heather. One is at her field day and the other is her first day back at school. They are in Liv's photo file.Gail************************************************Mom to , 11/28/98 - ADHD/ODD/SIDand , 02/02/02 - Congenital Scoliosis, VATER Association, Torticollis, Klippel Feil Syndrome, Fused Ribs, VEPTR Recipient 3/21/05, and First VEPTR Patient at Cincinnati Children's HospitalPut a little 'TLC' into your scrapbook! Independent TLC

Scrapbooking Instructor www.topline-creations.com Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.

May 9, 2006

She looks pretty good, huh?

Is Mo ready to model for the Mothers Tea? We'll have to get some great photos of that. They ought to have a lot of fun!

See you in a few days!

HRH

Re: Olivia

She looks so Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow. Thanks for posting them Gail. Olivia looks just like her Momma. That look of determination is just like you !!!! Can't wait to see you guys in a few days.

ShellieGail Kimball <patsmum2000@...> wrote:

I posted a couple pics of Olivia for heather. One is at her field day and the other is her first day back at school. They are in Liv's photo file.Gail************************************************Mom to , 11/28/98 - ADHD/ODD/SIDand , 02/02/02 - Congenital Scoliosis, VATER Association, Torticollis, Klippel Feil Syndrome, Fused Ribs, VEPTR Recipient 3/21/05, and First VEPTR Patient at Cincinnati Children's HospitalPut a little 'TLC' into your scrapbook! Independent TLC Scrapbooking Instructor www.topline-creations.com

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.

May 9, 2006

I know this directed to Shellie, but I definately want to see the pics from that!heather hyatt <heather@...> wrote: She looks pretty good, huh? Is Mo ready to model for the Mothers Tea? We'll have to get some great photos of that. They ought to have a lot of fun! See you in a few days! HRHGail************************************************Mom to , 11/28/98 - ADHD/ODD/SIDand ,

02/02/02 - Congenital Scoliosis, VATER Association, Torticollis, Klippel Feil Syndrome, Fused Ribs, VEPTR Recipient 3/21/05, and First VEPTR Patient at Cincinnati Children's HospitalPut a little 'TLC' into your scrapbook! Independent TLC Scrapbooking Instructor www.topline-creations.com

Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

May 9, 2006

Mo was ready two weeks ago!! She is so psyched to go. Counting the days. I think she will have fun with the fashion show. She would never do it without Liv. They are gonna have fun. I'm going to try to find my old directions. Otherwise I'll call you. ShellieGail Kimball <patsmum2000@...> wrote: I know this directed to Shellie, but I definately want to see the pics from that!heather hyatt <heather@...> wrote: She looks pretty good, huh? Is Mo ready to model for the Mothers Tea? We'll have to get some great photos of that. They ought to have a lot of fun! See you in a few days! HRHGail************************************************Mom to , 11/28/98 - ADHD/ODD/SIDand , 02/02/02 - Congenital Scoliosis, VATER Association, Torticollis, Klippel Feil Syndrome, Fused Ribs, VEPTR Recipient 3/21/05, and First VEPTR Patient at Cincinnati Children's HospitalPut a little 'TLC' into your scrapbook! Independent TLC Scrapbooking Instructor www.topline-creations.com Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone.

May 9, 2006

Gail, We will definitely get some up. I feel terrible that the halo pics are the only ones up of Mo. She doesn't like it either. We'll have to fix that. ShellieGail Kimball <patsmum2000@...> wrote: I know this directed to Shellie, but I definately want to see the pics from that!heather hyatt <heather@...> wrote: She looks pretty good, huh? Is Mo ready to model for the Mothers Tea? We'll have to get some great photos

of that. They ought to have a lot of fun! See you in a few days! HRHGail************************************************Mom to , 11/28/98 - ADHD/ODD/SIDand , 02/02/02 - Congenital Scoliosis, VATER Association, Torticollis, Klippel Feil Syndrome, Fused Ribs, VEPTR Recipient 3/21/05, and First VEPTR Patient at Cincinnati Children's HospitalPut a little 'TLC' into your scrapbook! Independent TLC Scrapbooking Instructor www.topline-creations.com Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone.

February 28, 2007

! As a mummy of a child with two life threatening conditions that do make

him different, that post just made me so happy for Olivia!!! (and you)

You're right, this is the easy time. loves his cast and loves showing

it off to the world. Being four at kindy with other four year olds, they are all

totally unaware of what " fitting in " is. The other day he refused to wear a

shirt so everyone could " see my cast " . What a show pony. He had his first full

day of kindy yesterday, and got so hot in his cast and tired from his heart

condition, he sat on the verandah and played with mobilo while all the other

kids played on the equipment. But he didn't care and didn't feel sad etc, so

wearing a cast at this age for kids really is a non issue.

I can only hope that feels just like one of the other kids at nine!

Great news for you both.

Also, how amazing that Olivia, with all her history of scoliosis etc, won the

breathing contest! And a PENCIL no less!

Take care,

heather hyatt <heather@...> wrote:

I wanted to share something that's been happening over the last year,

that I

hadnt really figured out, until yesterday. As most of you know, Olivia has

been in casts, braces all of her life. Last year, she underwent her 1st

surgical procedure(veptr dual rods attached to her pelvic structure) because

she had come to the end of the road in casts and braces.

A month ago, Olivia told me that she did not like her teacher, because he

didnt pay attention to her! Well, this really upset me.....I didnt take

action, because I had to think about it for a while. The teacher seems like

a really good, caring, guy....There had to be something else going

on.....Well, I think I just figured it out.

Olivia is used to getting just a little more attention from people, due to

her very obvious casts and braces (w/ neck support)....Now, that she no

longer wears them, she doesnt stand out as much, and the attention she used

to recieve is less. She is just like the other kids...No one even notices

her scoliosis. I think I am so excited about this, because to everyone at

her school, she is Olivia... Not Olivia with scoliosis. This means a lot

to a 9 year old girl, who is growing up and wanting to fit in and be like

the rest.

Very young children with scoliosis, dont care what others think. They

usually take their cues from their parents, and how the parents feel about

it. Little ones can be taught to take pride in their casts and braces. I

look back on it, and that was the easy time. No questions, no feelings of

being left out, no worries about ~not~ looking exactly like the other kids,

sad because she cant keep up, etc.....I am 100% convinced that Olivia looks

so good, because she did wear casts for so long, and over the years they

improved her overall body shape. ( Remember, her curves were over 100).

Anyway, sorry about the ramble. I am just relieved that Olivia isnt starved

for attention. She is just used to getting a lot. Now, she is just one of

the kids. She can choose to work harder to get the attention, or

not....Just like any other kid.

One more thing that I have to share. Apparently, the teacher had a few

minutes of free time after lunch yesterday, and he decided to have a contest

to see who could hold their breath the longest. Guess who won?!! (out of 45

kids) Olivia!! Not bad for 76% lung function, heh? She won a pencil. This

makes me a true believer of the bi-pap breathing exersizes she has been

doing since age 2. I feel like we are very lucky, and I am very grateful

for my childs health. I know what Livs life could have been, and we are

nowhere near that place! Not today, anyway!

Thanks for listening.

HRH

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

February 28, 2007

So she did wonderful with the veptr, could you explain it a bit to

us. Am interested in anything else at this point,cause I don't like

the idea of spinal fusion. thanks for any info u can share. By the

way Kassy is doing well with 2nd Halo traction. Did her story ever

get on the site? Thanks Again! Lee ann & Kassy

>

> I wanted to share something that's been happening over the last

year, that I

> hadnt really figured out, until yesterday. As most of you know,

Olivia has

> been in casts, braces all of her life. Last year, she underwent

her 1st

> surgical procedure(veptr dual rods attached to her pelvic

structure) because

> she had come to the end of the road in casts and braces.

> A month ago, Olivia told me that she did not like her teacher,

because he

> didnt pay attention to her! Well, this really upset me.....I

didnt take

> action, because I had to think about it for a while. The teacher

seems like

> a really good, caring, guy....There had to be something else going

> on.....Well, I think I just figured it out.

> Olivia is used to getting just a little more attention from

people, due to

> her very obvious casts and braces (w/ neck support)....Now, that

she no

> longer wears them, she doesnt stand out as much, and the attention

she used

> to recieve is less. She is just like the other kids...No one even

notices

> her scoliosis. I think I am so excited about this, because to

everyone at

> her school, she is Olivia... Not Olivia with scoliosis. This

means a lot

> to a 9 year old girl, who is growing up and wanting to fit in and

be like

> the rest.

> Very young children with scoliosis, dont care what others think.

They

> usually take their cues from their parents, and how the parents

feel about

> it. Little ones can be taught to take pride in their casts and

braces. I

> look back on it, and that was the easy time. No questions, no

feelings of

> being left out, no worries about ~not~ looking exactly like the

other kids,

> sad because she cant keep up, etc.....I am 100% convinced that

Olivia looks

> so good, because she did wear casts for so long, and over the

years they

> improved her overall body shape. ( Remember, her curves were over

100).

> Anyway, sorry about the ramble. I am just relieved that Olivia

isnt starved

> for attention. She is just used to getting a lot. Now, she is

just one of

> the kids. She can choose to work harder to get the attention, or

> not....Just like any other kid.

> One more thing that I have to share. Apparently, the teacher had

a few

> minutes of free time after lunch yesterday, and he decided to have

a contest

> to see who could hold their breath the longest. Guess who won?!!

(out of 45

> kids) Olivia!! Not bad for 76% lung function, heh? She won a

pencil. This

> makes me a true believer of the bi-pap breathing exersizes she has

been

> doing since age 2. I feel like we are very lucky, and I am very

grateful

> for my childs health. I know what Livs life could have been, and

we are

> nowhere near that place! Not today, anyway!

>

> Thanks for listening.

>

> HRH

>

February 28, 2007

- will you give Olivia a gentle hug from me.

She is such an amazing young lady. She sounds very

much like Braydon. He doesn't seek out attention, but

he gets a little miffed, occasionally, when he thinks

he needs special attention and no one gives it to him.

He is just one of the other kids. 99% of the time,

this is what he prefers - to blend in with the masses.

However, there are a few rare occasions when his

feelings get hurt because he knows he's special. It's

another example of the " normalcy " they've been given.

Being a normal pre-teen for Braydon makes me

appreciate (more than I can ever comprehend, really)

the quality of life improvement he's had since his

VEPTR surgery.

And, CONGRATS to Olivia for holding her breath! Very

cool. Sometimes routine things (like bi-pap) that you

wonder why you are doing this - can pay off.

Sounds like Miss Olivia is a typical, well-adjusted

young lady with so much to offer the world (just like

all our kids). Keep up the great work, mom.

Carmell

Mom to Kara, idiopathic scoliosis and hypothyroidism, Blake 16, GERD, and

Braydon 11, VACTERL-congenital scoliosis (fusion surgery 5/96), VEPTR patient

#137 (implant 8/01), Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome (TIS), rib anomalies,

missing coccyx, fatty filum/TC (released 4/99 & 12/06), anal stenosis, chronic

constipation, horseshoe (cross-fused) kidney, dbl ureter in left kidney,

ureterocele (excized 6/95), kidney reflux (reimplant surgery 1/97), neurogenic

bladder, dysplastic right leg w/right clubfoot with 8 toes (repaired 2/96, 3/96,

1/97, 3/04), tibial torsion, 4cm length discrepancy-wears 3cm lift, pes cavus,

SUA, GERD, Gastroparesis, etc. http://carmellb-ivil.tripod.com/myfamily/

Congenital scoliosis support group

CongenitalScoliosisSupport/

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February 28, 2007

Hi LeeAnn,

I know you asked about the VEPTR, but I'd be

happy to share our experiences too. Braydon is now

11.5 years old. He had two VEPTR rods placed at age

6yrs old. He also had spinal fusion surgery when he

was an infant. He is doing remarkably well now. Let

me know what kind of questions you have. Also, you

can visit the VEPTR webside to read a lot about the

procedure. http://www.veptr.com

How is Kassy doing with her halo? What is the plan

for her when the halo comes off? Hopefully they have

a good plan in place for her.

Take care