Hadley's 4th Cast Update

Last Friday we had Hadley's follow up for her 4th cast. There were a couple positives, but overall, Id have to say it was the most disappointing apt. We ended up having to take Mia since we couldn't find anybody to watch her, but she was a lot more patient than I thought she'd be. The ride down went good.... we arrived a bit early, which is better than late!

Normally, Hadley usually gets an X-Ray first thing, but this time the nurse said the Dr. didn't order one and he will explain why when he comes in. When he finally came into our room, he explained that they are trying to cut down on X-Rays to lessen the amount of radiation the children are getting. I was happy with that decision because all the X-Rays did worry me a bit... But on another note, it made our trip pointless. So, the Dr. said from now on since this is already Hadley's 4th cast and we are considered experienced(in their opinion), we don't have to come in for a follow up appointment. We'd only be going to Chicago every 1 1/2 - 2 months for a new cast(surgery). That was good news! Less travel!

During the appointment, Andy asked how amazing Hadley's progress is. Is it a miracle? Is there any other child doing this good? Etc.... Dr. Sturm said, we are going in the right direction, but we have to tempt our optimism. He said since Hadley started with such a severe curve, and there is no research on what happens beyond the cast, we shouldn't be too optimistic. In other words, If Hadley is corrected from the cast, she will be the first so we don't know what to expect in the future. We were ok with this, because we know she is in God's control! At the end of the apt, the Dr was trying to pull up Hadley's X-Rays, but was having technical difficulty. He wanted to see her progress and how good it really was. He left the room and came back real quick to let us know when he was able to pull them up. He made a quick comment on her curve only being at 33 degrees out of cast and before I could react, he was gone and we were free to go. I was so confused! Last time Hadley got casted, he told us that her curve was at a phenomenal 23 degrees! He must have been looking at the wrong X-Ray! But I couldn't leave until I heard them say she was at 23 degrees. So we tagged down the nurse and she pulled up Hadley's X-Rays and said the same thing. Hadley is only at a 33 degrees out of cast. We explained to her that we were told Hadley was at 23 degrees! What is going on!? Thats a 10 degree difference!!!! She said Dr. Sturm apparently measured wrong and the radiologist measured 33 degrees and that is what they go off of. I could not believe it! You should not make a mistake that big dealing with curvature of the spine! My heart was pounding, my stomach rotted out, and once we got in the car, I broke down! Thank God for Andy. He stayed calm and kept his optimism! I on the other hand, just fell apart! The thing that bothers me most is that on the scoliosis support group I belong to, there are cases where children have a curve in the 60's and 70's and they usually can correct them down to a 30 degrees. It seems that after they reach 30, they cant get them any lower since there curve started so high. Last time when we were told Hadley was at 23 degrees, I was so thrilled that she had beaten the 30 degree rut all the other kids were facing and we were on our way out of the cast. But now it seems to be she is at the rut point! I thought we would only have a max of 2 or 3 more casts and our baby would be free! It was just shocking and I'm still having a hard time adjusting to the mistake and new numbers!

We know ultimately God can do anything! And if he wants Hadley to be corrected from this casting procedure, He will. I pray that it is his will!!! I don't want our baby to have to face surgery. We have to trust God....

Please continue to pray for us! Pray for Hadley's correction on this next cast can pass the 30 degree rut. And please pray for Andy and I to continue to depend on God with all of this!