My son was diagnosed with scoli at age 4 and rapidly progressed through the years. He tried the SpineCor brace from John Hopkins which did not work and then went back to CHOP into the Boston Brace for two years, 20 hours a day 7 days a week. The brace controlled his bottom curve but the top curve was turning 1 - 2 degrees per month and at our last visit in August he was at 52 degrees. Dr. Flynn (his surgeon) was afraid to hold him out til next summer when he would turn 13 due to other health problems that could occur so we began our process of setting up his surgery. Original date was Oct 7th which we mentally and physically got prepared for. We had our pre visit on Sept 30th and expected no complications, however two days before surgery we were made aware of problems with the blood work and the clotting factor and had to go back down for more testing...no change so surgery was cancelled which was tough to take but appreciated to be safe and we went to the hemo group for intense testing. With this a plan was put into place incase needed during surgery and our new date was set for Oct. 22nd.

Surgery Day: Scary, but excited. No more brace, this was the best part. We arrived at 7:15am and of course saw alot of doctors etc. then Austin was given his giggle juice and taken back to surgery around 8:30am where the monitoring began. Actual surgery took place around 9:45am and as we were all amazed, surgery was completed within 3.5 hours fusing T2 - T12, AMAZING TIME! we met with Dr. Flynn and due to the bleeding factor he moved quickly avoiding any transufsion and was able to get the curve almost down to zero. WAY TO GO DR. FLYNN! Needless to say we were pleased.

Recovery: Alot of pain when he first woke up but with plenty of meds it was under control - and OF COURSE alot of sleeping the first few days. Our fist two nights we had a wonderful nurse on 4S named Pat and she was so patient and nice and caring with our son that it made all our lives alot easier. By day 3 oral meds began and what a change once he came off that IV drip. Slow but steadily he began eating, walking etc. and by day 6 we were heading home.

The first week was tough and we had to accomodate certain items like the shower getting a removable head etc. After 4 days we moved from the pain meds to tylenol and after two weeks to nothing. Austin is doing GREAT and each day gets better. He is learning to live with his new back and the bending etc. He is doing just about everything himself and feels so good he wants to do more...however as we all know this is a long, slow recovery and over doing yourself is not good. You feel good cause you are taking it easy and should remain doing so until told differently.

With the help of Dr. Flynns paperwork he provided to us and this site, parents and children we had no surprises and were fully prepared for everything that was to occur beginning, middle and end during this surgery.

I did have a few problems up front with the staff at Dr. Flynn's office, however surgery day, and all staff after that was just wonderful and really made our stay very pleasant.

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