Tomorrow morning, bright and early, at 7:30, Mitchell's surgery is scheduled to begin. We will be there two hours early (5:30 AM) as requested. The surgery will be around 8 hours long...a long day for Doug and I. Mitchell will be out of it, so he will have no idea.
Thanks for the prayers...keep them coming!!
We'll keep you posted as the day goes tomorrow.
Pam
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
It's Tuesday, June 24...One more week until surgery
Mitch is scheduled for back surgery next Tuesday, July 1. Most of you know that we discovered Mitch had scoliosis in middle school with a 20 degree curve in his back. We went to the doctor this past January because his back was bothering him. After x-rays and such, we found his curve was at 45 degrees. We were referred to Dr. Halanski at DeVos Children's hospital and met with him in March. At that time, he said that we should keep an eye on it...if the curve would get worse, surgery would probably be needed. We went back in June because Mitch was complaining about a lot of back pain. He had more x-rays taken and found that the curve was at 60 degrees! It was determined that Mitch required surgery.
We are so blessed for the technology of today. There will be two doctors, Dr. Halanski and Dr. Cassidy operating on him. They will be putting two rods down his back and attaching these rods to his ribs with screws and hooks. The surgery usually takes from 5-8 hours. After surgery, he will be in intensive care, mostly for pain management. They will have Mitch sitting up in a chair the next day and walking shortly after that! He will not have to wear a brace at all. The first 6-8 weeks, he will be very limited in his movements. After 3 months, he will be able to drive, dance (these things are most important to Mitch as he would like to try out for the Fall play at school again and of course, drive!). After six months, he will be able to do most everything and after a year, he will have no restrictions (except tackle football)!
A couple of weeks ago, Mitch had to go in for some blood work to see where his blood levels are. God is already answering prayers because his hemoglobin was at 16 (normal is 10-14)...for a kid who doesn't eat that well and is not that active...God is working!
Please be in prayer for Mitch this week for...
1) that he will have peace about the surgery, 2) for the doctors, nurses, and techicians, 3) for Doug and I (well especially me...being the mom and all)
Thanks for being involved in Mitch's life.
Pam
We are so blessed for the technology of today. There will be two doctors, Dr. Halanski and Dr. Cassidy operating on him. They will be putting two rods down his back and attaching these rods to his ribs with screws and hooks. The surgery usually takes from 5-8 hours. After surgery, he will be in intensive care, mostly for pain management. They will have Mitch sitting up in a chair the next day and walking shortly after that! He will not have to wear a brace at all. The first 6-8 weeks, he will be very limited in his movements. After 3 months, he will be able to drive, dance (these things are most important to Mitch as he would like to try out for the Fall play at school again and of course, drive!). After six months, he will be able to do most everything and after a year, he will have no restrictions (except tackle football)!
A couple of weeks ago, Mitch had to go in for some blood work to see where his blood levels are. God is already answering prayers because his hemoglobin was at 16 (normal is 10-14)...for a kid who doesn't eat that well and is not that active...God is working!
Please be in prayer for Mitch this week for...
1) that he will have peace about the surgery, 2) for the doctors, nurses, and techicians, 3) for Doug and I (well especially me...being the mom and all)
Thanks for being involved in Mitch's life.
Pam
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