update on Kieran

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Kieran got cast 8 at SLC on Oct 17. I just now have a minute to give an update

on him.

Kieran is now 3 and has been casting since he was 20 months old with an 85

degree curve, 90 degree rotation, and 110 degree RVAD.

The correction his casts have been able to hold him at has been up and down and

back up and then down over his journey.

Cast 5 was 40 degrees. Cast 7, his last cast, was 52 degrees and Cast 8, the

one he got recently, was 43 degrees!!

Even better, his traction xray taken before he was first cast was 52 degrees

(first cast was 60+ degrees, I have to check my records for the actual angle.)

And he had his second before cast traction xray before cast 8 and it was 30

degrees!! Meaning that Kieran has the flexibility to be corrected to 30 degrees

in traction. So there is hope for more improvement. He still has in cast what

looks like about a 45-70 degree rotation (so moderate instead of severe) and a

very high (like around 100+) RVAD -- but I am not in least concerned about it,

as it seems very stable and he is growing without any sign that it is causing

him any problems. His ribs are just are really funny angles attaching to the

cartilage of the sternum.

I do have some xray pictures of him in the album named Kieran on this group if

you are wondering what any of this looks like, but not pictures from Oct 17 as

of yet.

Kieran is doing great, is a healthy weight and for the first time ever had no

skin issues that were of concern to casting. Yes, his skin had been affected by

casting but there was no breakdown and no abraded areas like in the past.

Kieran has gained several pounds since April, when he had lost a few pounds

previous to this during a serious winter illness. All made up and more now!

Even for cast 7 in August he had gained about 3 pounds, but that just put the

weight on that he lost from December to April. He has put even more weight on

now, which is why I think his skin is finally all better. He's just healthier!

Thumbs up from the medical team on lots of core strength physical exercise,

including what we have already been doing. And I am feeling a lot more

optimistic about his eventual scoliosis though his adult years. Still taking it

as it comes, but it's starting to sound better and better so far as how much

regression he will face at some point. It didn't even come up last time, in

fact, for the first time when I have taken him (4 of the 8) only the opposite

came up, that is that he may be held closer to the 50 degree or better range in

childhood.

Yay!

Shauna

Kelsey, Kieran, and 's mom

[Guest guest]

That ALL sounds like fabulous news to me! I remember how excited I got every time Liv gained even 1 lb….And~ to see how serial casting has not only improved his scoli but his quality of life overall. What a blessing! Thanks for sharing all of that Shauna. It gives hope to parents that have children that have missed the window at a total cure and lets them know that there is an effective option besides just surgery/rods.Way to grow Kieran! Way to go mama!HRH. From: infantile scoliosis treatment [mailto:infantile scoliosis treatment ] On Behalf Of ShaunaSent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 7:03 PMinfantile scoliosis treatment Subject: update on Kieran Hello,Kieran got cast 8 at SLC on Oct 17. I just now have a minute to give an update on him.Kieran is now 3 and has been casting since he was 20 months old with an 85 degree curve, 90 degree rotation, and 110 degree RVAD.The correction his casts have been able to hold him at has been up and down and back up and then down over his journey.Cast 5 was 40 degrees. Cast 7, his last cast, was 52 degrees and Cast 8, the one he got recently, was 43 degrees!!Even better, his traction xray taken before he was first cast was 52 degrees (first cast was 60+ degrees, I have to check my records for the actual angle.) And he had his second before cast traction xray before cast 8 and it was 30 degrees!! Meaning that Kieran has the flexibility to be corrected to 30 degrees in traction. So there is hope for more improvement. He still has in cast what looks like about a 45-70 degree rotation (so moderate instead of severe) and a very high (like around 100+) RVAD -- but I am not in least concerned about it, as it seems very stable and he is growing without any sign that it is causing him any problems. His ribs are just are really funny angles attaching to the cartilage of the sternum.I do have some xray pictures of him in the album named Kieran on this group if you are wondering what any of this looks like, but not pictures from Oct 17 as of yet.Kieran is doing great, is a healthy weight and for the first time ever had no skin issues that were of concern to casting. Yes, his skin had been affected by casting but there was no breakdown and no abraded areas like in the past. Kieran has gained several pounds since April, when he had lost a few pounds previous to this during a serious winter illness. All made up and more now! Even for cast 7 in August he had gained about 3 pounds, but that just put the weight on that he lost from December to April. He has put even more weight on now, which is why I think his skin is finally all better. He's just healthier!Thumbs up from the medical team on lots of core strength physical exercise, including what we have already been doing. And I am feeling a lot more optimistic about his eventual scoliosis though his adult years. Still taking it as it comes, but it's starting to sound better and better so far as how much regression he will face at some point. It didn't even come up last time, in fact, for the first time when I have taken him (4 of the 8) only the opposite came up, that is that he may be held closer to the 50 degree or better range in childhood.Yay!ShaunaKelsey, Kieran, and 's mom