What I Did Wednesday #6

Being the first day of school, and the first day of freedom for me, I spent the day out and about! I ran errands and celebrated being free as a bird! I could go to more than one place just because I wanted to! I didn't have someone with me that might have a meltdown because things were going so well that I went one place too many! lol. It was a relaxing day, although a busy one.

1. Enjoyed beautiful skies, although the temps were in the 90's.
2. Did some grocery shopping at Wal-mart.
3. Noted the pretty clock at an intersection in Beavercreek, Ohio.
4. Dropped a big bag of clothes off at the Goodwill store.
5. Stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods. I'm looking for an ankle brace for Spencer. His left ankle turns inward. And he has very flat feet, which doesn't help. We put him in high tops last year to give the ankle some support but they seem so big (size 12) and heavy that I think they may strain his back and scoliosis. So, we're trying some options.
6. Noted the Ohio flags flying with the American flags. So pretty in the wind.
7. Dropped a couple of bags of books off to Half Price Books. They pay you for your books, although it is a very little amount these days. I think Kindle has eaten away a lot of their business.
8. Did some grocery shopping at Sams Club. I think I bought the whole store. ha. Had to get on the young man cashier who was less than gentle with my things. When he advised me that he had done this "a couple of times" I advised him that he then should know better than to squish my bananas under a box of tomato sauce cans. A-hem! lol...
9. Treated myself to an icy cold drink in the drive thru.
10. Got home in time to greet the boys getting off the bus. Their teacher said they had a great day. Although NONE of them would drink from those new stainless thermoses!!!!! Good grief! And here I thought I had it all planned out! LOL.

I hope you had a wonderful day, too!

♥

Good News!

Spencer got great news at his orthopedic appointment today!

His scoliosis has not progressed at all. It remains at 40% just

as it was 5 years ago. In fact, being 16 years old, it most likely

will not move any more during his lifetime! We only have to go

back for a maintenance checkup in two years and always keep

an eye out for any pain he may be in. He did all of his crazy

leaps and jumps around the exam room and the doctor laughed

and said, obviously, he isn't in any pain!

You know that old saying that mother's always tell you to

wear clean underwear 'cause you never know when you'll end

up in the hospital? Well, as we sat and waited for the doctor,

I was thinking I was glad I bought all those new socks for school!

Even the sky looked to be celebrating with us on our way home!

Thank you, God! And thank you friends for all of your

prayers and encouragement! I could certainly feel it today!

Check Up

Tuesday, Spencer has his annual scoliosis checkup at Children's

Medical Center in Dayton. As you can see, he's quite a crooked

young man! We're fortunate to have a sensible orthopedic surgeon

who has worked with autistic kids, performed back surgery on some,

and even has an autistic granddaughter! Imagine our relief and

surprise when we found these things out back in 5th grade when

we went for our first appointment! God doesn't make any

mistakes, does he? :)

*******

As it is, although Spencer's scoliosis is fairly severe, he has opted not to

do a brace or surgery unless he is in pain or the scoliosis progresses.

Each year we go get X-rays and have an exam to determine what

happens next. There has been no progression in all these years.

And in case you are wondering, he said that a 'normal' child

living in a body brace 24/7 for a year or two must be emotionally

strong, understand why he must wear it, and be determined that

he will do it. In Spencer's case, being non-verbal and not able to

understand why he must wear a brace or have surgery (7 hour

surgery, 7 day hospital stay and 4 month recovery at home), he said

it would 'put our whole family through hell'. So, off we go on Tuesday

to see what will happen to our family...the semi-hell of autism or

a full fledged 'hell' of back surgery and recovery.

*******

Oh dear..that does sound a little bleak, doesn't it?

Either way, I know we would survive, but it would be nice if

there was not any progression of the scoliosis, wouldn't it?

If you think about it, pray for us ...and I'll give you an update

Tuesday evening. Thanks, dear friends. :)

Spencer's Scoliosis

Spencer has scoliosis and kyphosis of the spine.

It's a fairly significant curve and we see the top

orthopedic surgeon at our local Children's hospital

annually to monitor him. Yesterday was our trip

for xrays and a checkup. Spencer enjoyed being

picked up alone from school early and riding in the

front with me! We were lucky enough to see a couple

of trains on the way. The ones on the overpass are

a favorite, especially as we drive under them!

He found Taylor's sunglasses, too,

and had to check out his looks in the visor mirror.

Wearing the goofy gown and waiting

weren't as fun as the 30 minute drive to

the hospital! The scoliosis remains unchanged,

which is a big relief! Any worsening means

we have to do back surgery. The kyphosis had

gotten a little worse but not enough to do anything

drastic at this time. We like our doctor! He has 29

years of experience and has other autistic patients.

And he has an autistic granddaughter!

A treat of chips on the way home....

thanks, Spencer, for being a delight even

though it was all a little stressful on me!

I know worry never improved a situation

but each year at our visit I anticipate the

possibility of that surgery.

We are keeping an eye on

any discomfort, pain or change in his

gait, which would determine that the

waiting would be over. So far God has seen

fit to give us another year surgery free!