Welcome to our new blog

3-20-15

Welcome to our Schlottach family blog!  We had a blog going when we were expecting Rylan and for the first year but got away from it as life got busy and we ran out of storage on our blog.  We're going yo try this a second time to keep you updated on life as we have been faced with some news this week.  This past week was spring break for me.  I was going to keep the boys home and enjoy a week of fun.  We also had Cade's 2 1/2 year well check up on 3/17.  He had a great check up and I got into a conversation with his doctor about a previous chest x-ray he had this year when they thought he had pneumonia.  The x-ray was negative for pneumonia but they did mention to Eric that Cade had scoliosis.  I didn't think this was a big deal at the time because he appears healthy, is developing well, and is meeting his milestones.  However, the pediatrician told me that it is very unusual for a child as young as Cade to have scoliosis and encouraged me to take him to get a spinal x-ray which we did that very day.  I also began researching scoliosis in young children.  His pediatrician called the next day and reported that he did have scoliosis with a moderate curve of 35° in T5-L2 and made a referral to an orthopedic doctor at Children's Mercy Hospital.  Needless to say, our hearts were broken and we were panicing for our little boy.  Cade and I met with Dr. Anderson at CMH on 3/19 at 9am.  He said the curve was about 42° (the orthopedic doctor does his own measurement on the x-ray)and Cade would require treatment as infantile scoliosis is usually progressive.  If left untreated, the spine continues to curve and compromise the lungs and heart which can be fatal.  Cade will have an MRI under sedation on 5/13 unless a spot opens sooner. This is to rule out any structural problems with his spinal cord that could be causing to curvature.  Most cases are idiopathic meaning there is no known cause.  It could be that the baby's spine is molded that way in utero and continues to curve as they grow.  He did have slight torticollis as an infant which is a turning or tilting of the head.  Dr. Anderson reported that hears that frequently in kids with infantile scoliolis.  Treatment options include serial casting or bracing.  We are leaning towards serial casting which involves Cade under going a non-invasive procedure where they manipulate his spine using a special traction table and then cast his torso so that his spine is as straight as they can get it.  He would again be under anesthesia.  He would wear this cast 24 hrs a day for 2-3 months (no bathing or swimming).  When the cast is removed he would have another x-ray to see if there is progress.  He can then be re-casted using the same method.  This would continue as long as progress was being mafe.  This could continue up to 2-3 years if he is responding well to treatment, or could be much shorter if he responds quickly to castiing.  If this treatment works, it could cure the curve and mean no future surgeries.  If it does not fix things it may at least maintain his current curve and allow time for his ribs to continue to grow and expand and his lungs and heart to grow.  He may then have surgery closer to puberty when his spine stops growing to fuse the vertebrae into a straighter position.
Bracing only works to maintain his current curve.  It would not likely decrease his curve.  This would mean surgery would be more likely.  The pros of this however are no anesthetic and the brace can be removed for bathing and exercise or swimming.  If we go the casting route, he would likely be in a brace once he plateaus on casting or is to a curve of 10° or less.  The brace would be worn to maintain that position until growth is complete.
This is all we know for now.  We plan to speak further with the doctor on Monday.  We just wanted to let everyone know what is going on right now and ask for the following prayers:
1.  Please pray that we can get the MRI done sooner and that it comes back clear.
2.  Pray that Cade responds well to treatment and will not need future surgery
3.  Pray that his body is resilient and can take the X-rays and anesthesia without side effects
4. Finally, please pray that we all can remain strong through this and stay positive and hopeful.

On a side note, we had lunch as a family today at Culvers.  I received a call from the nurse to try to answer some of my questions.  I took the call outside by myself and was in tears.  When I hung up, a woman from a table nearby approached me.  She told me she had overheard part of my conversation and knew I was in distress.  She had just come from a conference on healing and prayer and asked if she could pray for Cade.  She said a very nice prayer and gave me a hug.  She told me she had planned to grab a protein bar for lunch but her car headed to Culvers instead.  I think it was a sign:)

*Update: there is a spot open for Cade to start his first cast on 4/14.  We will discuss this with the doctor Monday 3/23 and make a decision.  He can have his MRI while casted.
Posted by: Jill