Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Sending again, pls read below. ----------------------- Re: VEPTR implants From: heather@... Date: Tue, July 31, 2007 12:42 pm To: infantile_scoliosis -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Connie, We noticed that Olivia had a harder time sitting upright, than standing. I believe this is due to the pressure on the iliac crests. We had a reclining wheelchair that allowed us to put her in an upright position, gradually. vWhich we felt would be best for her recovery. The VEPTR hybrid attached to the pelvic structure is much different than the original veptr or any spinal procedure, for that matter. We had to make sure that her recovery team in the hospital was aware of this, because they were treating her recovery like a standard veptr or growing rod procedure. While we realized that it was VERY IMPORTANT that she sit upright, we needed to find a healthy balance, and not place her upright, immediately. The pain was too great, and she already been through enough. Thankfully, we did find a good balance and sat her up gradually many times per day. Sometimes for 2 to 5 minutes, then 10, then 20. We also knew that being upright is crucial for a healthy recovery. We made sure that we used the spirometer and breathing exercizes all day/night long. In effort, to prevent pneumonia (sp?) and help with her recovery. I am sure that you have done this, but please make sure you are communicating with respiratory services and P.T. Also, take a look at the VEPTR Parent Handbook on the info page of www.infantilescoliosis.org. Just in case theres something in there that might help. Hang in there. The hardest part will soon be over and you and will be home soon. Let us know if we can help. > Connie, > > Thanks for 's update. Sounds like things are > going well. Pain management is one of the biggest > concerns. For sure. Hopefully he's able to be > comfortable soon. Stay on top of that. There are > many things they can try to get him comfortable. > > I bet he's not comfortable being out of the halo. > It's a security thing for many kids, and to be in the > halo for 9 very long months, NOT having the halo may > seem like he's naked or something. Poor kid. Having > to deal with major surgery recovery and not having the > halo anymore is probably a HUGE adjustment for him. > Give him a gentle hug from us. > > Braydon's VEPTRs are very visible. You can see and > feel the locking clip even. He is very lean, but more > than that, the VEPTRs are placed just under the skin > surface. They are not deeply positioned, and I'm sure > there's a purpose for that. Braydon's VEPTRs are only > on the right side - a chestwall rod and a spine hybrid > rod. He does not have pelvic attached rods. What you > are seeing is normal. You will get used to it, I > promise. > > Best wishes for a continued smooth and uneventful > recovery. Let us know how things are going. > > Carmell > > > > > > Mom to Kara, idiopathic scoliosis and hypothyroidism, Blake 16, GERD, and Braydon 12, 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, valgus deformity, GERD, Gastroparesis, SUA, etc. http://carmellb-ivil.tripod.com/myfamily/ > > Congenital scoliosis support group > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CongenitalScoliosisSupport/ > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. > http://farechase.yahoo.com/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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