On November 21, 2011, our son, Aiden, will go into Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) for surgery to help treat his Infantile Scoliosis. This surgery, the Grow Rods, will be used to help correct the abnormal curve of his spine, as well as, attempt to impede further increases in degree curvature (his curve is currently 70 degrees+). The surgery for a 5 year old is not performed very often and comes with some risks. However, our doctor, Peter Sturm, is one of the best. We are hoping his experience and knowledge will change Aiden's life forever.
At only 5 years old, Aiden has had 2 different types of braces and 14 body casts to help alleviate the curve of his spine. Although about 3% of the population has some type of scoliosis, those patients with degree curves of 50 degrees and higher is only 0.03%. Needless to say, what Aiden has is rare. Amber and I have always been open about his treatment and talk to Aiden regularly about his condition. He takes his limitations with a grain of salt and strives to be as normal as possible. However, his daily life has been altered due to the casting and doctor appointment. People always ask him why he wears a cast, his clothes never fit properly, people stare, and school is altered because of all the appointments at the doctors. Now that we have neared the time when surgery is inevitable, Amber and I know what the benefits (and drawbacks) are for our son. But what does this surgery mean for him?
Aiden knows that he will never be able to play football. He knows that he has 6 pre-op appointments October 27, 2011 to prepare for the surgery (i.e. Cardiology, blood work, EKG, Titanium and Nickel Testing, Pulmonary Testing, etc). He knows that his back will be cut open from the base of the neck to the top of his buttocks. He knows he will have hundred of stitches to close his surgical wound. He knows that he will be in pain. He knows he will spend time in ICU after the surgery. He knows we will spend Thanksgiving at the Hospital. He knows that he will have to go back in to CCHMC for additional surgeries every 9-12 months. He knows that eventually he will have to have another major surgery to add new rods. He knows that he will have 3 months of no contact or play. He knows that his diet will change. He knows that he will have to wear a brace for 3 months. He knows that his back is a part of him and he needs it. He knows that it will be a long road for his recovery. Aiden knows all these things at the young age of 5.
After telling him all these things, we asked him if he was ok with his surgery. We asked him if he wanted to go through with it. And this is when Aiden showed that there was one thing he didn't know. He asked me "I don't have to wear any more casts? That means I will be normal?". And with a few short inquisitive questions, Aiden showed me that I didn't know everything. Aiden will always be normal. His scoliosis is normal to us. But to him, he wants to be like the other kids. Not only will this surgery attempt to help his scoliosis, it will begin a new chapter for him and his quest to be normal. Now that is a question only time will answer.
Please visit http://www.thescoliosisfoundation.org/ for more information.
