A lot have been going on in Ellie’s world.
After her great success in Boot Camp at The Movement Centre, her next big event was heading clear over to the west side of Canada.
B.C. Children’s Hospital
First she saw the orthopedist. He’s the one that would operate on her hips and/or tendons if necessary. That was a quick visit, ending with the doctor eagerly declaring that Ellie was a “superb candidate” for SDR surgery.
After that, Ellie was checked out by the physical therapist for over an hour. She worked Ellie HARD! At the end of the appointment with her, she said, “I have to admit that I’m on the fence…” and expressed concern about Ellie’s right hip and the dislocation problems. Unfortunately, she thinks that Ellie may have to undergo right hip surgery even with SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy).
The biggest visit of the day was with the neurosurgeon who would be performing the surgery. He gave Ellie a thorough exam, and at the end of it said that without hesitation, he would recommend Ellie undergo the surgery.
In fact, he declared it would be “possibly life-changing”. One of the biggest benefits would be that her criss-crossing when walking would be either eliminated or greatly improved.
Shriner’s Hospital
Next stop, another check-up on Ellie’s hips.
Although usually a positive place, this latest appointment wasn’t the best. The new doctor Ellie saw was very negative, and didn’t think much of Ellie having SDR surgery. What he did say was whether she had it or not, at some point she WILL need to have hip surgery.
The problem is that Ellie’s right hip is about half out of socket on the right side, and 1/8th on the left.
To help you visualize this, here’s an x-ray of a NORMAL hip socket on the left, and an x-ray of Ellie’s hips on the right.
On the bright side, her hips don’t seem to have gotten worse over the
last 10 months (since her last x-rays).
So now it’s a waiting game. The x-rays have been sent to the doctor in Vancouver. Will he think Ellie should still have SDR, or will he decide she needs hip surgery first?
If she does indeed have SDR surgery, it will likely be in January, followed by 4 months of intensive therapy at a facility in Orlando, Florida.
To help cover the expense, we’re having a fundraiser or two. One is to sell calendars. Check out Ellie’s 2010 Calendar Page!
