This post is well over due and I had hoped to give a more detailed day by day for at least the first few days, but well, the days slipped by and I kept pushing it off.. so now here i am trying to put it all together from all the little notes I had been keeping – thank goodness for pictures and those little notes- my memory is mush!
I have had a lot of people reach out since I first started posting. I never realized how common scoliosis is. It has been great sharing our story and hearing from others as well. We have only connected with a couple of families who have had, or are considering Apifix. Makes me think that maybe an online support and peer networking for Apifix might be a good idea! I will add that to my list! Now I should say there are lots of scoliosis groups but not many in North America that have had or even know of Apifix as it is so new here! So please spread this around and have anyone get in touch if they would like! Here is the link to the Apifix websitehttp://apifix.com/en/
The drive home went really smooth, lol which is funny because the roads in Eastern Canada are anything but smooth!! With the pain medication the hospital gave her, plus bonus one, for the drive really helped to settle her and she slept most of the drive! She didn’t find herself in too much pain, and we made really good time, about 4.5 hours!!
When we got home she went straight to bed and continued on with her pain meds every 4 hours. She found quite a bit of comfort with ice packs, she was having tingling and odd sensations on her left side. She found the ice helped bring comfort. She required assistance getting in and out of bed a little bit. Once in the bed she could slowly move a bit however it was quite uncomfortable. She was in good spirits despite the fact she was pretty sore .
When we got home she went straight to bed and continued on with her pain meds every 4 hours. She found quite a bit of comfort with ice packs, she was having tingling and odd sensations on her left side. She found the ice helped bring comfort. She required assistance getting in and out of bed a little bit. Once in the bed she could slowly move a bit however it was quite uncomfortable. She was in good spirits despite the fact she was pretty sore . Iced coffee smile, a welcome home treat from Chris!
Nuf said 
Bean and bear cuddles 
Pretty sure M is in there somewhere! 
Up and about slowly 
Home sweet home!
The next day, day 5 post op!!
It just amazes me that only 5 days ago she was in the OR! Recovery has certainly changed over the years for any type of surgery! I am thankful for that, It is nice being in the comfort of our own home! Karen our nurse from the IWK, called to see how she was making out. I explained to her that she was doing quite well but was still having quite a bit of tingling sensations on the left side- she was having this same sensation in the hospital post op. We are watching to see if there is possible nerve damage, but seeing as she wasn’t numb anywhere and could still feel her toes the care team wasn’t too concerned about it right now. Just to reassure all of us, Karen was going to check with doctor El-Hawary and get back to us the next day. When she called us back she said that we could increase the Gabapentin, the nerve pills, if need be to three times a day.
The third day home she was ready for a shower. Oh my gosh, I remember thinking to myself- How the heck am I going to get her in the shower without getting these bandages or these stitches wet first of all, then how is she going to have the strength to get in and out of the shower. She took a pain pill before attempting the shower and within about two minutes in the shower she realized that maybe it wasn’t quite time for this yet. I helped her out of the tub, but not until helping her rinse as much of the shampoo and conditioner out of her hair as we could. Uggg what a struggle, poor girl! Once out, was pretty pale and went straight to sit down when she got out of the shower. After a few minutes she started to feel a little bit better and was able to come out to the kitchen. We realized then that maybe it was a little too soon for the shower but she was a trooper and she did well.
Now the fun part, trying to do something with this hair of hers- super thick, not really short, AND has being in the hospital for a bunch of days. Anyone get my struggle?? lol This is what we had.
This Mess 
Ugggg 
Slowly we got em all out
With a lot of patience and not much yelling at me, thank goodness LOL I was able to get all the tangles out and she was actually able to brush her hair now. That was it for the day. It doesn’t take much to wear her down still, and this was definitely enough for today. She went back to bed and pretty much just chilled out and watched TV for the remainder of the day. A well deserved chill out, in my opinion!
A mamma’s mind, a mamma’s creation! How to wash the girl’s hair without having her nearly pass out? Start with 6 towels, 2 pillows,a footstool, a blanket, a pain pill, 3 face cloths and the most awkward bent over position for what seemed liked an eternity!! (for her and mamma too!) But I didn’t dare complain about my back!! LOLThat is how a mamma gets it done! Much happier girl after this attempt on day 6 post op!!
On day 5, day 8 post op, home she was starting to feel a bit better. She was moving more and getting in and out of bed by herself now! Proud mamma moment- and one less she needed me to help her with!!! Independence is coming back!!. She wasn’t taking her pain meds through the night, only the odd night. At this point now she is taking Tylenol, a strong anti-inflammatory as well as the nerve pain pill.
Each day I am more amazed, only one week post-surgery and she’s getting along so well. She is so moving very slow but she’s up she’s walking around the house. She is still bothered by some pretty intense pain/tingling on her left side. She’s describing it now more as tingling and kind of like pins and needles not so much muscle pain right now. She finds the best way to relieve this is just simply by pacing the floors. It doesn’t make it stop but it certainly lessens the pain until it passes.
I was quite impressed that she decided to start working on some of her school work that the teachers had put aside. I’m happy to say that the teachers have been super supportive, offering to help her when she’s able to get back into school.
One week home and she has now been out for a car ride and is getting around quite a bit better but still gets tired quickly and is quite sore if she tries to do too much. She still not lifting, not bending all that well but she’s definitely moving around more.
Week 2 post op
It’s really been pretty relaxing and quiet the first 2 weeks home, not at all what I expected. I have sort of let myself slip out of my self care moments, so my head is getting tired and messy, time to start getting back on track really soon! I was a bit worried how the pain would be as week one she was still pretty sore- happy to say first week was the hardest. But not at all as painful for her as I was anticipating! She’s one tough cookie! The second week now she is moving around a lot better she started her stretches – which she hates – it is quite painful. This is normal and is what we were told would happen. So she’s doing them at her pace, she knows that the stretching is the key to a great recovery and outcome!
She realizes that if she pushes too hard it could just cause more soreness and that will just slow the recovery. She was feeling up to going into school at exactly the two-week post op day. I was so nervous about this, not because she wasn’t ready to walk and get around, but because what if somebody bumped into her or she got pushed accidentally ! Uggg my mind was so worried. She went with a friend, a bodyguard in my mind! I knew Emma would make sure she was safe and looked after! One class was good enough for her that day, and for me as well!
It was nice because she was starting to get frustrated with some of her school work that she wasn’t understanding. One of her teachers met with her after school and did some extra work as well. She’s able to get out in the car more often now. And the sharp pain that she was experiencing the first week has definitely lessened- just coming from time to time. She talks more about now muscle pain as opposed to the tingling. I’m assuming this is because she’s moving around more and she’s starting to do the stretches so the muscles are getting cranky. Thankfully it’s just the muscles that are cranky! LOL
As the days go on, I realize I am way over due in getting this post out. I wanted it out much sooner for sure, but well, here it is finally! I do have more pics of her incisions and her back, if anyone wants to discuss more in detail please do drop me a message! I’d love to share more and answer any questions you may have!
We are back to the IWK first week of May for her 6 week follow up. School is on the plan starting after Easter break, at least for one or two classes, she hopes! More to follow as this curvy journey continues! Be sure to subscribe and keep up with all our/my journey!
Until next time my friends, be kind to yourself and look out for others! xo
