So glad I found you guys!

[Pooka1]

Spiny Mouse, the PT guys will help him re-learn how to move. I think it is the immobility due to the traction and not the surgery. Had he not needed the traction he would be up and walking.

Don't get discouraged. PT will help him. Make sure his pain meds are topped off before the PT. Try to ask PT to come at a time when the meds are fully kicked in.

Good luck.

[Elisa]

Spiny Mouse, the PT guys will help him re-learn how to move. I think it is the immobility due to the traction and not the surgery. Had he not needed the traction he would be up and walking.

Don't get discouraged. PT will help him. Make sure his pain meds are topped off before the PT. Try to ask PT to come at a time when the meds are fully kicked in.

Good luck.

Yes, I'm sure four weeks of traction does slow things down especially when he wasn't able to walk around b/c he outgrew his walker after only a few days. He did go to physio and rode a bike most days but it's still not the same as walking. They are all taking it really slow with him which is good b/c he really has been through a lot. Today's plan is to take away his PCA pump and possibly the catheter if anyone can get anywhere near it b/c he's got it guarded pretty good. Then a few more sit ups with dangled legs and I believe he can start eating a bit but at the moment he really doesn't have an appetite. We don't need to have him walking around the hospital, we just need him mobile enough and comfortable enough to travel back. I'm shooting for Tuesday but we'll see.

Talked to the other boy's mom this morning and she was up the entire night; didn't sleep a wink she said. I'll be spending some time with her today as she too is all alone here. I'm expecting her to get some sleep in as well. I was pretty calm through both of Elias' surgeries but they were much shorter than the one Dr. K is doing this morning on her son: anterior/posterior. I actually am feeling a little bit anxious myself as I've gotten to know the boy quite well as we've spent four weeks together at this hospital.

[Elisa]

Chair time.

We're making progress. He's been sitting up for almost an hour now and he's still quite comfortable. :-)

[Pooka1]

Excellent photo! He seems like such a trooper not just from what you write but from the photos also.

[JenniferG]

Great photo Elisa. He's been through a lot but he can still smile. You must be so proud of your boy.

[Elisa]

Great photo Elisa. He's been through a lot but he can still smile. You must be so proud of your boy.

I am very proud of how he has handled all of this and I know I'm just darn lucky too that he's as easy going as he is b/c being here for over four weeks I have seen and HEARD some other kids that are not so laid back, lol.

Both IV's are out now and he spent 2.5 hours in that chair playing around on his laptop before he'd had enough so I'm definitely seeing progress. His hair is terribly greasy and I really want to take a washcloth and clean it but the pin sites are still tender and he won't let me anywhere near them. I do have a dry shampoo cap that you pop in the microwave and then goes on the head so maybe we'll do that tomorrow. I believe the dreaded catheter will be the next thing to go. >_<

The other halo boy has been out of surgery for a few hours now and is in ICU at the kids hospital next door and everything went very well his mom said. She also said he had anterior surgery only and not both a/p. Like I said, she isn't the best at details so I'm not sure what happened there but at least he doing fine and that's all that matters.

[Elisa]

Walking tall.

On January 21st. Elias measured 5’8”

On March 21st. He measured 5’7”

Today on April 23rd. he measures… 5’11”

He also has been walking around the hospital without a walker and with barely any support. He continues to amaze me. Catheter is out and this is the last hurdle to hop over before we can make plans to head back home.

[LindaRacine]

On January 21st. Elias measured 5’8”

On March 21st. He measured 5’7”

Today on April 23rd. he measures… 5’11”

He also has been walking around the hospital without a walker and with barely any support. He continues to amaze me. Catheter is out and this is the last hurdle to hop over before we can make plans to head back home.

That must feel pretty miraculous.

[Pooka1]

Wow he turned that corner at lighting speed!

Huge height gain!

From that picture it looks like you guys are very close to getting home.

These guys can fix these things. :-)

[Singer]

Just...WOW !!!!

By documenting this whole thing so meticulously, you're doing a huge service to other nervous parents who may find themselves in the same boat as you. Your blog should be required reading for anyone looking for information and inspiration regarding halo traction and surgery.

[Elisa]

Just...WOW !!!!

By documenting this whole thing so meticulously, you're doing a huge service to other nervous parents who may find themselves in the same boat as you. Your blog should be required reading for anyone looking for information and inspiration regarding halo traction and surgery.

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed following along on my blog. This is my first attempt at setting one up and I initially did it so my family, friends and of course any of you guys on the forum who were interested could follow along. I also wanted a way for the wonderful Shriners back in BC who are helping us so much with all of this journey and did express an interest in updates. Often once they send a family on their way to Shriners' hospitals they lose track of them and wonder what the outcome was. I didn't want to do that. It also gives me something to do while I'm here and it keeps my mind occupied. Last but not least, I sincerely do hope in some small way I can help others either now or in the future who are facing similar circumstances. :-)

[JenniferG]

I am gobsmacked! Four inches! Elias must feel like he's walking in the clouds!

He looks wonderful, Elisa!

[Elisa]

I am gobsmacked! Four inches! Elias must feel like he's walking in the clouds!

He looks wonderful, Elisa!

He seems to have adapted to his new height no problem... it's me that's finding it weird having to look up at him and I feel shorter all of a sudden. The catheter god was good to us this time around and the pee dance seemed to work. I believe we are going home early this week. :-D

The extra height he has as well as the straightness makes him look thin though. He has lost a bit of weight b/c of the surgeries and just not desiring the food here so the next step is to fatten the boy up when we get home. That is dad and sister's department as they love to cook and I am so wanting to get back to my job.

[jrnyc]

congratulations, Elisa!
once he is really used to it, he will probably love being tall! there are many advantages to it!
and the weight will come...in time!

thank goodness everything went so well!
i hope the trip home is smooth and uneventful!

jess

[titaniumed]

Holy moly! A very quick turnaround, I must say. Elias must feel so much better now that the anchor chain has been removed.

During the day, is he out of bed 50% of the time now?
Ed