Jungle book and then back for the 7th Operation at RNOH

We have just had the opportunity to see Naomi in a fantastic production of Jungle Book put on by her Saturday Drama group " Upstage". Naomi and her friend Charlotte played 2 of the Vultures ( who in the Disney version had the Beatles as the voice over ) . They led the whole cast in the song "That's What Friends are for"!! It was Naomi's first solo part and she sang her heart out. We are all very proud of her.
Naomi has some great friends at Arnold Middle school and they have been a huge support to her as she has settled at Middle school and coped with her operation in November. We are now 5 months on from that operation which means the next one is due.
We head to the RNOH (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital )this Thursday 18th March ready for the next rod extension first thing Friday morning.
We value all the support we have at home, school, church and our wider family and friends. Thank you.
"When your alone who comes around to pick you up when you are down.?.................and when your outside looking in who's there to open the door? That's what Friends are for! (what Naomi sung in Jungle book)

Autumn Concert

Last night Naomi performed in the school Autumn concert along with 80 or so others from the school. Naomi was in the (Young singers Lunch time group). It was a great night and ranged from Boys Only singers group to Rock band to Orchestra to hand chimes !!! The new head of Music had done a lot to put it all together along with peripatetic teachers from Bedfordshire Music School.
We have been back to Stanmore a few times for follow up and to play on the ward so that Naomi has a more positive experience and in preparation for the next operation in March 2010.

We were painting pictures of butterfly's by painting one side of a paper and folding it over. The bright colours are part of the play therapy.

Stitches..

Lots of shouting going on, and havent got to the stitches yet, just the dressing being removed over the top !

Hi to everyone

hi (to everyone) it's naomi I have been geting you comments.I am home now and will be going back to school in a few days. I am going to go for my first walk today . My hip is still bothering me especially at night. I slept from 2am - 8am last night ! and watched fire works last night from the lounge while watching Ratatouille.

Bye Naomi

Naomi is home....

We got Naomi home late yesterday afternoon. She still has pain in her hip. We were taught to use a pain scale with her last year, and that helps to establish just what pain she is feeling in her back and hips. The doctors did some x-rays yesterday but found nothing of concern. We can only conclude that its maybe a muscle strain, or a shift in weight balance on her hips, with the spine being straightened. All not surprising really as they stretched her spine 2.5cm.
She is fairly anxious about things, and we think the combination of that plus the pain killers they have given her this time have made her quite nauseous. This is an extra complication, but something we have to work through.

Hoping to get home tomorrow....

Naomi has her new brace, and if we can get her mobile, and can manage the pain effectively, we hope to get her
home tomorrow.... It will be much easier to care for her in a home setting, as we get more used to doing many things the nursing staff deal with each time.
Rachels birthday is tomorrow too, which will be nice to spend together...

Im painting

Rachel slept on the ward last night, as Naomi was in some discomfort.

We were up at 6 today getting ready to be cast... The pain in Naomis hip is being managed with drugs, but we arent sure whats causing it.

Distractions help, so we have managed to get her in a chair with the play therapist, to do some painting.

Grown again..

Guess what... my surgeon says I have grown 2.5cm as they extended my back with the rods... Now Mummy will need to take me shopping again for trousers ! Naomi

Awake and in charge!

Naomi is on the ward again...she seems to be recovering fairly quickly this time, and is asserting her authority ! Its a good sign we think !
Hi to all in Class 5NP at Arnold Middle School. Bet you were watching Hannah Montana rather than doing Geography!
We havent seen the surgeon yet, but the notes indicate they want her back in 4 months for another extension.

In Theatre

Naomi is in Theatre now...and was first on the list as she has been each time weve been here. she was very calm yesterday, but was a little unsure about everything this morning. We eventually persuaded her to take the Tomazapan (sp!), and she was soon calm and joking with the nursing staff again.
We are told this is a minor operation, compared to other she has had I suppose it is, although it doesnt always feel like that. There are lots of little girls with scoliosis on the ward this some, some having rod lengthening too. Naomi was missing being back at school this morning, she may not be so keen next week !
Richard