...with her exercises lately! Yes, I'll say it again, Olivia is doing her exercises. I think she is finally realizing how critical they are and how much better she feels when she does them.
We were in Dr. Mendelows office last week with my sister and niece who is having some back problems. My sister came in from Cleveland to bring my niece to see him, as she wanted a second opinion. Everything worked out better than expected, and she is thrilled that she came. He really is an incredible Orthopedic and everyone in his office was extremely helpful. A special thanks to Wright and Filippis as well for making everything happen so fast, so my sister and niece could get back while it stopped snowing!
Anyhow, when we were at his office, he asked Olivia how she was doing and if she was doing her exercises everyday. I was proud of her for not lying, but.....He gave her a look that spoke a thousand words and she's been at it since. I hope it keeps up.
The new Schroth therapists are all trained and will begin to practice here shortly. They're just waiting for all the equipment to be installed. I am planning on taking her once a week to work with them, providing our insurance will cover the visits. I don't see any reason why they won't.
I did have a small scare today. Olivia called me at work and told me she felt a "snap" in her and that she could only turn in one direction. I told her to go to the office, do some stretches and align her spine. She did and she was fine. Thank God!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Finally! An Update!
We finally made it to the orthopedic today. I had to change the appointment a couple of times due to conflicts. Here's the news:
First of all, the doctor seemed to be quite impressed by what Olivia is able to do to her spine following the Schroth exercises. He was very positive and seemed to think that it was a very good choice for us to go.
Now for her x-ray results, which I will compare with her last x-ray which was 4/19/09:
T5 -11 4/19/09...31% 11/4/09...35%
T4-L3 4/19/09...44% 11/4/09...54%
L3-S1 4/19/09...27% 11/4/09...21%
Spine Alignment:
4/19/09... -46.5cm (off center)
11/4/09... -12 cm (off center)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a huge improvement!
While looking at the change in the curves, he was a bit baffled at the increase in the lower TH curve, considering the dramatic improvement in her posture and spine alignment. He *thinks* that this may not be a progression in the curve, but due to the fact that her spine is so much more aligned, it may be a compensation of sorts. This is not something that he seemed at all concerned about, and was actually encouraged by the results.
He clearly told us that surgery is not something that he would consider, especially at this time. He feels that with what Olivia has been taught, and seeing how well she is able to easily correct her spine, she has an excellent chance of not progressing. She has not grown at all since April, which is also a huge plus. She will go back in eight months for another x-ray, and he commented that he would like to follow her for the next twenty years.
Now, for some very exciting news! We were informed that two PT's from Providence are going to The Scoliosis Rehab Center in Stevens Point, WI to be trained in Schroth. Dr. Manuel Rigo from Barcelona, Spain will be there training the therapists. Once trained they will be practicing Schroth at the PT center on the Novi Providence Campus. I couldn't be more thrilled!
Olivia was strongly encouraged to do her exercises five times a week for 30 minutes. It's been somewhat of a stuggle, but I really feel that she sees the importance of it. I'll keep encouraging her (nagging doesn't work, I need to encourage!).
I truly feel so blessed to have Dr. Mendelow as Olivia's orthopedic, and to have learned and had the opportunity to experience the Schroth Method of Physical Therapy.
First of all, the doctor seemed to be quite impressed by what Olivia is able to do to her spine following the Schroth exercises. He was very positive and seemed to think that it was a very good choice for us to go.
Now for her x-ray results, which I will compare with her last x-ray which was 4/19/09:
T5 -11 4/19/09...31% 11/4/09...35%
T4-L3 4/19/09...44% 11/4/09...54%
L3-S1 4/19/09...27% 11/4/09...21%
Spine Alignment:
4/19/09... -46.5cm (off center)
11/4/09... -12 cm (off center)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a huge improvement!
While looking at the change in the curves, he was a bit baffled at the increase in the lower TH curve, considering the dramatic improvement in her posture and spine alignment. He *thinks* that this may not be a progression in the curve, but due to the fact that her spine is so much more aligned, it may be a compensation of sorts. This is not something that he seemed at all concerned about, and was actually encouraged by the results.
He clearly told us that surgery is not something that he would consider, especially at this time. He feels that with what Olivia has been taught, and seeing how well she is able to easily correct her spine, she has an excellent chance of not progressing. She has not grown at all since April, which is also a huge plus. She will go back in eight months for another x-ray, and he commented that he would like to follow her for the next twenty years.
Now, for some very exciting news! We were informed that two PT's from Providence are going to The Scoliosis Rehab Center in Stevens Point, WI to be trained in Schroth. Dr. Manuel Rigo from Barcelona, Spain will be there training the therapists. Once trained they will be practicing Schroth at the PT center on the Novi Providence Campus. I couldn't be more thrilled!
Olivia was strongly encouraged to do her exercises five times a week for 30 minutes. It's been somewhat of a stuggle, but I really feel that she sees the importance of it. I'll keep encouraging her (nagging doesn't work, I need to encourage!).
I truly feel so blessed to have Dr. Mendelow as Olivia's orthopedic, and to have learned and had the opportunity to experience the Schroth Method of Physical Therapy.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Where is time going?
It's been over a month since I've posted on this blog. I know I promised pictures, but haven't posted any. I'm sorry!
Life is crazy sometimes. Crazy busy! Olivia is the manager of the 8th grade football team, along with one other girl. She is at practice everyday afterschool until 5:00 and on Wednesdays, which is game day, she doesn't get home until 7:30. She's having a blast. Thank goodness this only runs through October.
She is not doing that great with her exercises. I have to nag her everyday. It's making me really upset. I encourage her the best I can. The irony of the whole thing is that she feels so much better when she does them. It's just getting her started. I think she's becoming a bit too comfortable in the therapy room. We put a futon in there and she's been sleeping in there for nearly two weeks now. I have to put an end to that.
She's going to see Dr. Mendelow on November 4th. I can't remember why, but I had to change her appointment, which was originally the third week in October, I believe. I am not expecting as good as a report as I truly feel we could be getting. We'll see.
I will try my best not to stay away from her for so long!
Happy October to all! October is my favorite month! And...Happy Birthday to Scott. He turned 20 today. I can hardly believe it!
Life is crazy sometimes. Crazy busy! Olivia is the manager of the 8th grade football team, along with one other girl. She is at practice everyday afterschool until 5:00 and on Wednesdays, which is game day, she doesn't get home until 7:30. She's having a blast. Thank goodness this only runs through October.
She is not doing that great with her exercises. I have to nag her everyday. It's making me really upset. I encourage her the best I can. The irony of the whole thing is that she feels so much better when she does them. It's just getting her started. I think she's becoming a bit too comfortable in the therapy room. We put a futon in there and she's been sleeping in there for nearly two weeks now. I have to put an end to that.
She's going to see Dr. Mendelow on November 4th. I can't remember why, but I had to change her appointment, which was originally the third week in October, I believe. I am not expecting as good as a report as I truly feel we could be getting. We'll see.
I will try my best not to stay away from her for so long!
Happy October to all! October is my favorite month! And...Happy Birthday to Scott. He turned 20 today. I can hardly believe it!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
It's been awhile...
....I know! It has been an extremely busy summer. The first day of school was yesterday, so hopefully we can get into a better, normal routine!
Olivia goes to see Dr. Mendelow the end of October, when she will have x-rays taken. She's doing okay (I wish I could say great) with her exercises. I put her on a daily after school schedule, so hopefully she will stick to it. I knew this would be a struggle, but I will not give up.
Olivia goes to see Dr. Mendelow the end of October, when she will have x-rays taken. She's doing okay (I wish I could say great) with her exercises. I put her on a daily after school schedule, so hopefully she will stick to it. I knew this would be a struggle, but I will not give up.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Soon....I promise!
Many of you have been asking for new pictures and results.
Next week, I plan on taking and posting new pictures. As far as the results go, our next orthopedic appointment is not until the third week in October, at which time x-rays will be taken. We're going to have to be patient until then. Believe me, I am more anxious than anyone!
Next week, I plan on taking and posting new pictures. As far as the results go, our next orthopedic appointment is not until the third week in October, at which time x-rays will be taken. We're going to have to be patient until then. Believe me, I am more anxious than anyone!
Who would of thought...
Olivia got her hair cut yesterday. When we left the salon, she told me that she felt that her hair was uneven. I assured her it was not, as the stylist spent a lot of time on her cut and made certain it was even. I watched her. Olivia then went on to tell me that she forgot to tell the stylist that she has scoliosis. Apparently, during her therapy, one of the therapists told her that when she gets her hair cut, she should let them them know she has scoliosis, so they can be sure that her hair is even.
I would have never thought of this, but it does make perfect sense. It's the little things.
I would have never thought of this, but it does make perfect sense. It's the little things.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
It's finally done!!!!!
.....the room! Here is a before (well sort of before, before we started to paint, but after we got the old paint off) and a finished picture. This room is AWESOME! Olivia came home from camp tonight and it was a total surprise to her. She LOVES it!
Olivia chose the colors for the room. She is very creative. I never imagined it would look as good as it does. The picture does not do it justice!
Olivia chose the colors for the room. She is very creative. I never imagined it would look as good as it does. The picture does not do it justice! All we need now is a rolling mirror. Until we find one (or Bob makes one), we'll have to improvise.
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