Monday, February 14, 2011

In Which Connor Needs A Tune Up

This week just keeps getting better.

So we got the results of Connor's spinal and hip x-rays back today.  Apparently Connor has about a 20 degree curve on average, with the most affected part at a 33 degree curve.  This is considered a significant degree of scoliosis and that means treatment will likely be necessary.  As a result, we now have an appointment to see the orthopedic specialist in the beginning of March.  My guess just from the bit of homework I've done is that we'll be looking at bracing options and not at surgery right now, but I guess we'll see when we get there.

While we're there we'll also be talking about Connor's hips.  Apparently his right femur is "uncapping" when he moves it through rotation.  I'm not entirely sure what this means, but I think the gist of it is that his hip socket is shallow on that side and so his femur is coming partially out of the joint.  This explains why Connor doesn't ever want to put all of his weight on that leg.  I have no idea what the solution will be for this or if surgery will be on the table; we'll just have to see what the doctor has to say at that appointment, which I'm sure will be tremendous amounts of fun.

Oh, and did I mention he was also apparently chock full of poop?  I guess the Ativan has been stopping him up more than we realized.  We were instructed to use a massive dose of laxatives on his today.  You can imagine the fun that's been going on over here as a result.  I don't think I'll be running a whole lot of errands with the little guy in tow over the next couple of days.

We will be forced to venture out tomorrow though, because we have a renal ultrasound.  This is where they'll be taking a look at Connor's one remaining kidney.  And that sucker better be working great if it knows what's good for it, because I've reached my Malfunctioning Body Parts quota of the week and if it's acting up too I might have to, um, give it a strong lecture or something.  I'm not really sure what an appropriate threat for a misbehaving kidney would be, and besides I'm not very good at being menacing anyway so the point is probably moot.

Glorious.

~Jess

4 comments:

Julia said...

You could shake your finger and say, "You kidney you! You'd better give me back my caps!" To which the kidney would reply, "Tsz, tsz, tsz." [See "Caps for Sale".] I'm sorry you're having to process so much disturbing information at once. Let's hope the kidney is behaving itself and does not require any disciplinary action.

Wherever HE Leads We'll Go said...

There should be a limit to how much info is thrown at a parent in one week. After a while, you just want to stick your fingers in your ears and say "lalalalalala". Praying all goes well with the ultrasound and the laxatives too - that could get ugly really quick!

stellarparenting.com said...

oh poop and hips, your house sounds like ours! Good luck with the clean out and as for the Uncapping, it could be an issue withthe top of his femur ( referred to as the cap) like in Perthes Disease or a SCFE which are both issues withthe Femur end rather than the hip side of things. Good Luck.

leah said...

Dear Mr. Kidney: Behave and be healthy, or ELSE!

What a week! Hopefully some bracing will be all that Connor needs for his scoliosis - sending my positive thoughts in your direction!

 
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