Our two-day, twenty-sixth visit to Shriners Children’s Greenville is behind us. (Thankfully)
In ways, like with other visits, this one was a follow-up from our last visit, where Harrison was measured for new AFOs last time. This time, we got to pick up those new shiny dino-patterned Ankle-Foot Orthosis!
Mr. Phil at POPs, as always, was outstanding to work with, as he worked with us to make a few adjustments to accommodate Harrison and his mobility. On top of that, because a certain little boy continues to grow, he needed a new pair of shoes to accommodate the new, larger AFOs, so Mr Greene came away with a nice pair of BILLY shoes too!
If you’ve read this blog at all, you’re no stranger to me using the roller coaster analogy to describe the ups and downs that we have in this journey. Well, sometimes, that roller coaster ride gets compressed into just a Shriners visit. Unbeknownst to us, we had hit the peak and were about to King Island’s The Beast until it was time to head home the next day.
Appointments with Dr. Pete are always stressful. It’s Harrison’s spine we’re talking about, so it’s hard to not stress. We know, definitively know, our son will have to have back surgery and have growing rods put in. That’s not a potential destination, that is the destination. We’re just trying to slow down getting there as long as we can. We have a threshold we want to get past before we face that procedure. So any hiccups we have could bring that destination to our table faster, and that fear of having to do something before we want to is constant. It is our companion on our shoulders and takes a front-row seat anytime we’re meeting with Dr. Pete.
As always, before meeting with Dr. Pete, we have the warmup in X-ray, which is always a mixed back with our boy. The meeting with Dr. Pete did not go as well as we had wanted, as Harrison’s curve had regressed a few degrees. While we’ve been facing a few additional factors in recent months, including a major growth spurt over the summer, it was no excuse to Dr. Pete, who essentially gave us a verbal slap on the wrists.
While most people would probably not appreciate that, and it will give you a sense of being called to the principal’s office as a kid, I appreciate not only his candidness but clear desire to ensure Harrison avoids needing surgery for as long as we can prolong it. We will continue to utilize the TLSO brace and hope for less regression (or none at all) when we see Dr. Pete again next year.
With the wind knocked out of our sails a bit after Dr. Pete, we weren’t exactly able to take in the fact that we got to do something new this visit. Something that, in reality, is exciting to be doing. We ended the day visiting the Motion Analysis Center. Yes, our boy is at the point where they want to start documenting and recording his walking. It’s kind of astonishing we’re already at the point of having a gait analysis, but we’re here.
Our son, however, was less than impressed, or excited, and nearly made it impossible for them to get the footage they needed, as having a three-year-old walk in a straight line is a challenge by itself. Add our son’s stubbornness into the mix, and well, it was a battle, but they could finally gather another footage and data to get what they needed after a few attempts.
So an exhausting Day 1 to say the least.
Day 2 was easier and smoother. We had a quick follow-up with Dr. Ray, the newest recruit to the team, who is our upper extremities specialist. After looking at Mr. Greene, she was pleased with his progress but agreed with us that he needed new wrist splints. So, to Ms. Lisa, we went, where some new wrist splints were made. A quick day two, where we were in and out in just under 2 hours! (A very nice reprieve from the day before!)
A quick Day 2 meant we had some time to kill, so on the way home, we made a stop at Pearson’s Falls. Another waterfall checked off the list. It’s always fun getting out and stretching our legs, and admittedly we don’t do it as often as we should on our way home, but after the 2 days, it was good to get out under the sun and leaves and soak up the outside for a bit.
Thankfully, our boy, who loves to be in the woods under the trees, and around the water, was all smiles and happy to be out of Shriners and the car. It was a good cap off to this last trip with its ups and downs.
Our next visit to Greenville won’t be until January 2025, so until then;
Next on the schedule: Pre-K Round 2!!