…now recovery

Kadence got out of surgery around 5pm on Monday after a 7 hour surgery to remove magic rods, install permanent rods to fuse her spine and improve posture. She spent 4 days in the hospital after which she was released to recover for 3 nights in a local Airbnb – home on Monday!

Dr. Bellaire was able to safely improve her kyphosis by about 10-15 degrees. She would have loved to be able to do more however, as her deformity was greater than expected, the risk of paralysis forced her decision. She was able to straighten her shoulders and strengthen/fuse the rest of her spine through the placement of the permanent rods. On balance (considering the complexity of Kadence’s condition) everyone is very happy with the outcome and with Kadence’s resilience in recovery.

As we are now in the Airbnb in SLC, she is managing her pain with a very rigid medication schedule. This has allowed her to shower, sit up, walk around and sleep – all of which add to her recovery. We fully expect her to improve rapidly once she is back home.

We come to SLC in one month for follow-up and x-rays which we are excited to see. After that visit, assuming all goes well, Kadence will see Dr. Bellaire every 6 months until she is 21.

We appreciate more than words can say the doctors and staff of Shriner’s and Primary Children’s Hospital. And thanks to all our friends and family who have consistently prayed for and supported us in this long journey. We are grateful, however, that the surgeries are behind us.

We will update and post more pictures after surgical follow-up visit.