Re: Introducing my daughter

[Guest guest]

I didn't see your name but welcome to CAST. I know you've had a long road already with the scoliosis and not being able to get your daughter the care that you wanted but it's not too late. Yes, the docs like to see them before age 2 and under 50 degrees but all hope is not lost. My daughter got her 1st cast at 22 1/2 months and was 64 degrees and we are down to 38 degrees (out of cast) after only 2 casts. The doc doesn't know if she will ever be completely corrected since it was caught late and her curve was severe but he said we will give it our best shot and as long as we get correction, we will keep casting. The longer you can hold off (if surgery is needed), the better. My daughter isn't in daycare so I can't help you there but I don't see why it would

be an issue. Every child is different in how they respond to casting but I will tell you how it was for us. Yes, she is a little irritable when she first wakes up but after an hour or two, that fades away and for us, she is pretty much back to herself. We didn't have any problems with her in the cast but she did wear a brace first which may have helped her to adjust quicker. She was a little top heavy until she got used to it but I thought it would keep her from doing things but it hasn't at all.. She plays just the same as she did before casting. Like I said, it's different for everybody but usually the ones that have it harder are the people that have kids that weren't walking yet. As for sleeping, Isabella, for some reason, would not go in her crib after she was casted so we just did away with the crib and she has slept fine. If she's uncomfortable, she doesn't show it. Good luck with the casting

and if there's anything I can help you with, just let me know. Patty, mom of Isabella, 2 years old, in 3rd cast (Rochester) & mom to & EvanTo: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Wed, December 16, 2009 12:14:22 PMSubject: Introducing my daughter

Hi, I have just joined the group and wanted to share my story. My daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 6 months. I was refered to an orthopedic doctor and started researching the internet. I came across lots of info on casting and asked her doctor about it. She said "we don't do that in Canada" and let's "wait and see". It will probably fix itself. I "waited and saw" her curve grow and they decided to put her in a brace at 18 months. I hated the brace and learned that bracing will either do nothing or hold the curve. I also learned that if a curve wanted to progress it would even inside of a brace. I also learned that braces are not the best option for rotated curves. I felt like I had no other option. I asked again about casting and again, they said, it's not done in Canada and they couldn't imagine casting someone that young (I was at McMaster children's hospital in Hamilton). I was so upset about the brace and was doing

another internet search and came across of site that had a list of doctors that do infant serial casting for scoliosis. I was scrolling though to see if there was a hospital close by in the states and near the bottom I saw "Sick Kids Toronto". I couldn't believe it. I am 30 minutes from that hospital. I called every day for 2 weeks and begged! They got me in right away (1 week after my daughter's 2nd birthday) and they are going to cast her in early January. I am so glad that I had the intuition to keep pushing but so sad that I didn't do it earlier. I wish that we had this appointment a year ago. I am sooooooooo nervous and would love some support. Please tell me that it's not too late. Also, does anyone have a child with a cast that goes to daycare? How is that? What should I expect when she wakes up with the cast. How long will it take her to adjust? Will she be comfortable while sleeping?

Looking forward to hearing from you:)