Orthopaedic Open House

    This Sunday was the open house for the new orthopaedic office. They recently moved to a bigger location a few blocks down from the old office. We went to show our support, and tour the new facility. Plus its also nice for the girls to go there when there wasn't a regular appointment. During the tour we got to see the 2D and 3D x-ray machine. They told us that its pretty cutting edge technology. In fact there are only twenty-two of those machines in the United states, three of which are in California. After the machine scans the body it makes a 3D model for the doctor to better look at and analyze. It's pretty amazing. Another great benefit is that this machine uses ten percent less radiation than other x-ray machines. Which is great, especially for Amaya who will have countless x-rays in her lifetime. We're so fortunate that Amaya is getting such quality care. I'm grateful that she goes to Loma Linda and is under Dr. Nelson's care.
     While we were there we saw Dr. Nelson and got to meet his wife and one of his sons. He was nice enough to look at Amaya's hip for us and said that he would remove her rod this summer. He said that sometimes the rods start to come out and that it wasn't a big deal. We let him know we have an appointment in July to see him. I'm sure at that appointment we can proceed with the scheduling of the removal. I'm hoping it will happen before she starts school in August. Just so that she can go one school year without a surgery. But, it is what it is, and it will happen when it happens so I'm not going to stress over it, at least that's my plan. I'm glad he's seen her, he's not worried, its not a big problem and it will get fixed.
    Amaya was a little surprised that Dr. Nelson said he would remove it this summer. It was a lot sooner than she thought. Amaya is already getting nervous and worried about the removal. Because she knows it is a "surgery." The one thing she's really dreading is the IV. I can't say that I blame her, but we are reminding her that this is probably going to be one of the easiest surgeries she'll ever have, and that the recovery should be pretty easy. In comparison to the lengthening, this should be so easy. At this point, we've told her to not worry about it for now, to enjoy the time before we actually have to have it removed. Trying to keep her from worrying and comfortable are our main focuses right now. With a hot pad, and by taping her hip she seems to be doing well with pain.
  Thanks again for your care and concern. If you can keep our friend Ben in Washington in your thoughts and prayers we'd appreciate it. He's recovering from a pretty painful surgery this week to treat his PFFD. We have two other PFFD friends Rebbecca and Lily who are having surgeries this week as well. Any love, prayer and good thoughts you send their way are appreciated.

Here's Amaya in the new x-ray machine.