VEPTR implants

[Guest guest]

I wanted you all to know that has had the VEPTR implant

surgery and all went very well. The hard part was getting all his

lines. They couldn't get a good artery so they had to do a cut down

and got it that way. He had the surgery done on Friday and is

recovering very well. The only issue right now is the pain factor

which is a big one. He is struggling with moving. He finally allowed

us to get him out of bed and into his wheelchair for about twenty

minutes twice today. His doc requested that he sit up for an

hour...NOT GONNA HAPPEN!! Hopefully tomorrow will be much better.

Another issue I wanted to ask about is the fact that we can see and

feel the implants under his skin. The size of the implant is the

longest they make and the shorter ones would have been too short.He

is anchored from top rib to pelvis on each side. I was told that this

might be a factor but you're never quite ready for it till it

happens. Do any of your kids have the same issue? I am hoping that

this doesn't cause much discomfort in the future. I got so used to

his huge rotation hump so I guess this is just something i'll get

used to.

He is so happy to FINALLY have the halo off. Nine months of halo

traction was quite enough!! Although he did ask to keep the halo?!?

At any rate, thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. They were

felt and greatly appreciated!

Connie