11-21-2011 Weaning off the Brace

We had a follow-up appointment today in Chicago.  Dr. Alden met with us briefly to examine how Sam's rods would react with movement.  This is the first time in 3 months that Sam has had the brace off while sitting up.  The doctor then slowly bent Sam's head as far forward as possible, while feeling through his neck to see how the hardware was holding.  The idea was to make sure that given some movement that the rods, plates and screws would all stay where they belong.  I am excited to say that his forward motion is better than I was expecting!  He then went on to tilt his head back, while still making sure the hardware felt OK.  Sam was more than happy to do this, but there was quite a bit of grimacing along with these first movements.  Sam said it felt partly painful and partly just super stiff. 

Dr. Alden was happy with what he saw and felt and sent us on for a set of flexion/extension x-rays.  In these x-rays they did the same forward/backward motion and took x-rays in those positions to be able to see that everything has stayed in place.  Sam said the second set of movement, while still really stiff, was less painful.  A short time later we were back with Dr. Alden.  He said that all of the hardware was staying in place very well.  Our very funny doctor then turned around to stare at Sam with a passive and straight face and just sat there looking at him.  Finally, he says, "you look like you want something from me...?  Oh, yeah, we can start weaning you off the brace."

Now that's a happy boy!  Love seeing that smile again!

We get to start with one hour a day for 4 days, then two hours for 4 days, and so on.  Most of you will not see him right away without the brace, other than above, as the doctor wants him to pick slower times at home as we start this process, and be sure to take it easy.  He is also not allowed to give demonstrations of how far he can move his neck quite yet.  We then need to return to Dr. Alden on December 19th.  By that point Sam will be at eight hours per day, and near the end of the weaning process.  The doctor will then take another set of flex/ext x-rays to be sure nothing has started to loosen with increased movement.  If we pass the test Sam will be set free from his brace just in time for Christmas.

I will take this time to once again thank God for the tremendous blessings He has given us.  I praise God for the birth of Jesus, for holding on to our family and drawing us close to Him, and for the work He has done, and continues to do in Sam.