Thursday, November 22, 2007

Skylers Spine Surgery

Hi Folks, Skyler's dad Chris here to let you know a little bit about Skyler's back surgery. He is going into the hospital Monday morning the 26th for a procedure to straighten out the big "S" curve that is in his back. The curve in his back is the result of him having Cerebral Palsy, and his brain firing the wrong muscle groups to let him move his arms and legs. Skyler "fixes" his back and legs to help him be able to move his left arm and hand. Over the years this has pulled him into a poor position in his wheelchair, and even though he has a great support system in his chair, he is just too strong.

Here is his X-Ray:



The screws that you see down in his hip are from a previous surgery to repair his hips coming out of the sockets, which is also quite common for kids with CP who grow up in wheelchairs.

Skyler's procedure will be called a Posterior Approach where they go through his back only. This is good because going through the front (Anterior approach) involves more risk.
Here is a link that shows some information.

We will be updating this blog over the days that Skyler is in the hospital to try and keep everyone up to speed. Thanks to all of you who have already sent their prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts!

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Chris

Hope everything goes OK, our families thougts are with all of you at this stressful time.
Raye and famaily

Teri said...

Holy Crap! I hope the surgery goes okay and he'll be able to move better. I guess it must be hard when you already have a condition and then that messes up other stuff internally!

Unknown said...

Chris,
There is one regard where Skyler is a very lucky young man... being the son of you and Kathy.

Dan Boudreau

kim said...

He'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

kim said...

That last post was me, Johnny Yen, btw-- didn't realize Kim was logged in.

Moderator said...

I will follow this closely. Hope everything goes smoothly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

JennyB said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JennyB said...

Good luck, Skyler! Kevin and I will be thinking about you.
Take care, Chris and Kathy!

Jenn Bukacek

Cap'n Ergo "XL+II" Jinglebollocks said...

mein gott-- WHY would you go through the FRONT?? Wow, that reminds me of a patient I had when I was a nurse's aid: he had his prostate removed through his RECTUM (it's usually removed through the urethra, which is bad but not NEARLY as bad as having a hole punched in th' hole that's already there).

That IS quite a spine he's gots, I gotta' tellya!! Tank gawd there's proceedures to correct this. You just KNOW the recovery period ain't a-gonna be no goddamned fun, so my thoughts be widcha already, Cookie!!

Doc said...

Buy him a whole bunch of comic books, because laying around the hospital is boring, but I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know. Take care and God bless you all.

Doc

GETkristiLOVE said...

I'll be thinking about you guys - let me know if you need anything. I can bring Guinness into the Children's Hospital, can't I???

Chris Mathers said...

Hi Skyler, Chris,and Kathy
Good luck on you surgery and we all look forward to a full recovery.
Our prayers are with you all.
Looking forward to good times together.

Love
Mathers Family

Dale said...

I'll be thinking happy thoughts for you all, hope everything goes well.

SkylersDad said...

Big thanks to all of you!!! We are lucky to know so many great people.

Dan and Jan said...

Hi Skyler, Kathy, and Chris,
we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers on Monday. We will come visit as soon as Skyler is ready. Let us know if there is anything you need us to do. Great having lunch with all of you today.

Jan and Dan

Gretta said...

Skyler should document all of the hospital time, so he can then do a news story on the 6 and 11 o'clocks. This is just like when Katie Couric had her colonoscopy, but much less icky.

Good luck with the surgery!

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

Sending you and your family all my good vibes! I actually do have some.

Rachael said...

good luck. let us know when he is up for visitors! our prayers are with you. Doug, rachael, marla and duncan

dapperdave said...

God Bless Skyler and your family, Chris. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Dave Corley

SkylersDad said...

Thanks to you all, we appreciate all the well wishes more than you can know!

Anonymous said...

I came across your blog while doing some research about resources on the internet for spine surgery. You might appreciate some of the articles about spinal problems & treatments on a website I'm involved with called www.spineuniverse.com. Best wishes!