My Daily Drama – Women Daily Drama Only!

Archive for August, 2011

As a parent nothing can prepare you for hearing that your child is ill.  I recently learned, that feeling of helplessness, can be topped, it happens when you hear your child needs surgery.  In July of last year, my ten year old daughter was diagnosed with Aggressive Idiopathic Scoliosis.  When the surgeon explained that her curve was so aggressive and would begin to crush her lungs and cause reduced respiratory function if we did not proceed with the surgery,it was like taking a bullet.  The thought of putting my child through a six hour surgery to have her her back cut open so that a rod and screws could be inserted made me want to pass out.

I spent the next thirty days trying to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming surgery, but I was also consumed with finding an alternative solution.  It was very disheartening to come across centers that claimed to offer alternative solutions to surgery,I called and spoke with so many people.  They were all selling the same false hope, don’t have the surgery, come in and see us, we can correct the curve, BUT we do NOT accept insurance.  Really??? Are you kidding me?  This is a medical condition, if the interest was really about helping the child, why wouldn’t they accept insurance?  Simply because, there aren’t a lot of options for correction so you are at the mercy of these people, who offer NO guarantee.

The day of the surgery came, I was anxious to get it over with but so very scared for it to start.  I did the very best I could in pre-op not to cry, just so she would be okay, but when they began to roll her away, my heart was in my throat.  It hit me, I was useless, had no control over anything at this point.  I had to trust this man with my child and pray to GOD that everything would be okay. For the next six hours I was suspended in air dying to put my feet on the ground.  I wanted to see her and hold her so badly.  Finally, her surgeon came to get us, he said the surgery went well and that we could see her in recovery.  He warned us that she was going to be swollen from having been in that position all day.  Nothing could have prepared me, for when I saw her… she was moaning, her face and lips were swollen, she kept saying she wanted to go home.  Again, I was hit with a bullet, I was useless and helpless….I wanted to take away everything she was feeling, but couldn’t.  There was nothing I could do.  Thankfully, the recovery nurse was amazing and she talked my daughter through everything and made her as comfortable as possible.

The days that followed were less daunting but stressful nonetheless.  Her recovery went very well, she was up and in a chair by the second day and walking by the third.  My little girl proved to have strength and courage to move mountains, I was so very proud. We went home on the fifth day.  Our lives have been forever changed by this surgery, now we face a new set of challenges.  My daughter is very conscious of her scar, she still has physical limitations, and I am overly protective which I am sure doesn’t help matters.  We work together to make each day better. Her scar is a reminder of what she endured and what she conquered.

I have a new found appreciation for parents with children that a have severe or long term illness.  As parents (well, some parents) we are hardwired to protect our children from hurt and pain.  When a kiss, a hug or sleeping with them until they are better doesn’t work, we don’t know what to do.  I consider myself very fortunate, to have found Dr. Stephen Stricker at Jackson Memorial he is such a wonderful man.  More importantly,  I witnessed first hand the type of person my little girl is going to be… she demonstrated such courage and personal strength, she accepted the changes, both good and bad, that the surgery would bring and did what she had to do.  She is my hero!!!!!