...our family experienced a bump in the road.
Earlier this week, my 16YOD, Brittany, asked me if I noticed anything weird about her back. After feeling around a little bit, I told her one side seemed swollen. She showed me a digital picture of her back while she was bending over (which her cousin had taken), and it looked to me like she had developed an old-lady hump on that same side. I must admit it freaked me out a little bit, but I downplayed the situation so as not to scare her.
The next afternoon, I took her over to the bridal shop so she could have her bridesmaid dress fitted. While she did look SO pretty in her black strapless dress, I couldn't help but notice even her shoulder blades weren't symmetrical!
What WAS this? Were her muscles swollen from the excess exercise she's been into lately? I doubted it was a tumor, as she had no lump, just a mild, yet obvious, hump. Maybe it was too much amateur back-cracking from her girlfriends, and she had some vertebrae out of place. I really didn't know, but was certainly feeling like she needed to be looked at.
After some time thinking and praying, and giving her massages, and urging her to lay on crushed ice, and talking with Gary, we decided our first course of action would be to take her to a chiropractor.
I did that Thursday.
Tests and xrays show she has a mild to moderate case of scoliosis.
I know. Now what?
We go back on Monday for a consultation, and discuss a plan of action. By that time, she will have been able to sit down with the xrays and actually measure the degree of curvature in Brittany's upper and lower spine, as both are affected.
Until then, Britt and I have made a pact that neither one of us will research scoliosis online or elsewhere, thus protecting us from seeing nasty pictures of the worst case scenarios. I mean really - there's no point in scaring either one of us half to death with the "what if's"!
We've also been jotting down questions for Dr. Liz in the meantime - why the lack of symmetry on one side (which is obvious from her upper neck all the way down to her waist line)? Will the swelling, or hump, go away? Will it get better, and not return? Is she seriously lacking in calcium? Will she have any physical limitations? Would this have raised a flag years ago if she were in public school where they have periodic back checks? (Yep, a case of possible Mommy-guilt!)
I gotta say that hearing "mild to moderate scoliosis" was a bit of a relief to me in the office. I mean, I knew it wasn't a tumor. Or cancer. Or something we couldn't deal with or fix. But now that I've had some time to think, I can't help but wonder about Brittany's future. Dr. Liz has already discouraged any competitive sports, and would like to see Britt twice a week for some time. As much of a drag as those things are, they still give me some hope that things might not be "really, really bad". Ya know, that it IS just a bump in the road, and not a head-on car crash. Maybe I'll be even more hopeful after our consultation Monday.
Or maybe not.
This weekend I'm trying not to "worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 (NASB)
((If your spouse is a chiropractor and can shed some light on this, or if you know of a young person who manages scoliosis just fine, please share your positive insights. No scary stories, please.))
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Will be praying for the Lord to lead you to just the right doctor and just the right treatment, if any. My dd has a mild case of scoliosis and it doesn't keep her down or bother in any way. Blessings...
Oh Leah I will pray for both you and your daughter.
A dear friend of mine has scoliosis. All through school she wore a back brace. My DH took her to school so she wouldn't have to ride the bus. She is in her mid 40s now, is a massotherapist and teaches YOGA...and did I mention beautiful. While you daughter may have to go through some not so pleasant "stuff", it is a manageable problem. With hard work and determination she will be great! I will be praying for all of you...God Bless!
Leah,
I've lived with scoliosis my whole life. Carried and birthed six babies naturally--contrary to one orthopedics predictions in my teenage years. Now, being married to a massage therapist, I know it could have been treated while I was young but other than occasional flare-ups of back being "out" I'm no worse for it. Chin up. And seek massage or physical therapy to do in conjunction with the chiropractic. Blessings to you all.
Hi Leah, I don't have any advice to give you other than to seek out the right people for therapy/treatments. Glad it sounds like it's very manageable. Good luck to her! Have a good weekend.
i think you can feel relieved and get her
help from the chiropractor. i'm so glad
it wasn't a tumor.
I have both scoliosis (curvature front to back forming the hump) and kyphosis (curvature side to side). I was diagnosed at about age 8 and have been a faithful and consistent chiropractic patient my entire life after that. Mine has actually gotten much better as I've gotten older due to chiropractic, therapeutic massage, rolfing, soft tissue therapy (at my chiro office) and exercise. I would say I am about 80% improved from when I was in high school. I do not have back pain and people are shocked when I tell them. My back issues manifest themselves in a sore left hip and knee which are continually misaligned by how I walk to compensate for my back misalignment. This is not something that cannot be controlled and IMPROVED. Be assured of that. There are so many avenues available and please, please don't rush to surgery. You may have to invest time driving and some money to get various treatments, but it is worth it. She is still growing and her muscles and tendons are still loose and flexible - now is the time to get them trained to hold her back straigt(er). My mom drove me 50 miles round trip three times a week for years for chiro care and it was so worth it. Let me know if you want to know any more.
While a friend wore a brace for scoliosis while in high school years ago, she was soon graduated from it, stands straight and tall, and has never had any trouble again! I'm praying for you to have a remarkable outcome for your girl!
I feel for you! I know how scary it is to have one of your kids diagnosed with something when you thought everything was going along just hunky dorey. Sounds like you are on the right track, though. I'll be keeping both you and Brittany in my prayers.
Hi Leah, I stumbled across your blog while reading a friend's blog ("Rachel's Journey"). Just wanted to let you know that my husband was diagnosed with severe scoliosis as a child. He required surgery in high school but it has not slowed him down in the slightest! He was very active and doesn't have any problems today. He is 35 now and had the surgery about 20 years ago. I'd say the worst part about it is that his back occasionally feels a little stiff if he doesn't exercise--but that's it. With all the advances in technology in recent years, I know your daughter will have some wonderful options available for her. As parents, it is so difficult when our children have any kind of health issue to deal with. Our son was born with a cleft lip and required surgery at 3 months and that was one of the hardest days of my life. So hang in there! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions my hubby or I can answer for you. Take care.
Visiting from The Farmer's Daughter blog and your award.
I've heard that the cases on the web tend to be worst case, so good for you for knowing just to not go there! Modem medicine is pretty wonderful these days, as is God!
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