Decisions, decisions.....

So I have been back on the Internet researching A LOT about scoliosis. I know I know I have preached that it can be scary but I need info.

We reached out to a family member who is an Ortho doctor and he helped answer a lot of our questions. And I reached out to a friend who is working with a specialist at Shriner's hospital.

In my gut, I am thinking we need a second opinion. One that may take us out of state. We have received info on Gillete Children's Hospital in St. Paul and Shriner's hospital in Chicago. Both have excellent Pediatric Orthopedic services. Specifically, Shriner's hospital does a particular type of body casting that has shown to be very effective. It is called Mehta casting. I don't even know if Kiya would be a candidate for this type of cast but I feel strongly that we need to find out.

I called our doctor's office to ask questions. The nurse answered some and will ask the doctor the rest. She told me the brace they would consider and it isn't horrible but would be one that Kiya would need to wear all day for possible as many as 10 years. Yeah doesn't sound fun and it may not work. It may stop the progression of her curve but wouldn't "fix" it per say. After she stops growing and is no longer a candidate for a brace, her curve could stay the same or it could get worse. If it gets worse she could be looking at surgery.

So while I freaked out when I heard about body casting, I am now encouraged that if Kiya is a candidate for this type of cast that maybe this is the way we need to go. She would have to get multiple casts as she grew but may only be in and out of a cast for up to a year, maybe a little longer and then maybe on to a brace but maybe not. This method has been shown to reduce much more severe curves than Kiya's.

A decade in a brace really doesn't sound like fun. Of course we will do that if we have to but if there is a better option that could significantly reduce the curve and her likelihood of future surgery than out of state or not we need to investigate it.

So this is where we are for now...more research in my future.