MARIA´S OPERATION POSTPONED!

What seemed like a slight summer cold has changed our plans completely! Yesterday we went to the hospital for Maria´s pre-op, and the anasthesiologist (?) decided that they could not operate until it was cleared up.  A two to four-week delay!  You could imagine how disconcerted we all were, but what could we do?  When she actually went to a pediatrician to treat her "cold", she was diagnosed with bronchitis!!!! She hadn´t even had a fever or complained of anything!  We felt terrible...

In the meantime, Dr. Paley (her doctor) wanted to see her anyway and to check-out her latest MRI´s . The amazingly good news, was that he could see better hip-bone formation than last year, and considers that there is a possibility that he can do a special surgery called Superhip 2 (that he invented) on her, instead of the alternate surgery he had originally planned for her.  Of course, until he actually opens her up, he can´t know for sure.

So what does this all mean?  Well, Superhip 2 would give her a greater possibility of a stable hip, normal gait and less limp, and of course, would be the better option. HOWEVER, if she has Superhip 2, she will not be able to do her leg-lenthening until NEXT SUMMER!    So we probably wouldn´t have to stay for four months....
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, if Dr.Paley decides that he can´t do Superhip2 on her, we will follow with the original plans, leg-lenthening included, which, with the delay with her bronchitis, would take us over the four months...

Right now, we are tentatively looking at an operating date in about two weeks, IF the infection is all cleared up.

Lesson learned- BE FLEXIBLE!  We are learning, albeit the hard way!

So, we are planning to use our free days well, and go visit my parents in Tampa and other excursions.  After all, we are on vacation!

Last night my old friend Jane Ballard (former ASB Kinder teacher) called me, and I hope we can get to see her, maybe on our way to Tampa, as she lives in Orlando which is on the way.  She was a great shoulder to cry on last night- thanks Jane!

To all of you who sent their best wishes and prayers for Maria´s operation - save them and keep them coming!