Naomi and I made it home last night after a day of getting the spinal brace cast and fitted. We had just 1 hour left to get it fitted and an xray "in brace "done before the staff went home at 5 pm and we could be discharged! The brace arrived at 4:45 and xray was done at 5:00! So we were allowed to go home! It's good to be home especially after 5 new admission to the ward yesterday meant we said goodbye to a ward of post op. crying children and stressed relatives. We all slept well and are now resting. Rachel

Maths Lesson in bed

Hi 6CH
I hope you are all enjoying school. This is me having a maths lesson.
Naomi

Plaster Theatre

Naomi was first on the list for Plaster Theatre today, which meant an early start, and wrapping up in lots of blankets. The bed is wheeled outdoors from the ward across ramps. The brace she had made in December didnt fit at all well, hopefully this one will be better.

Art Class

Naomi had to eat at midnight last night in order to be allowed her pain killers. A few ritz cracker did the trick. She wont get cast for her brace today as its a bit soon after surgery, so hopefully tomorrow.

back on the ward

Naomis back on the ward... Sore but calm and watching TV. they managed to get one last extension from these rods. I'm reminded its almost 3 years to the day that we came for the first operation. we've all learned a lot in that time. We thank God for his goodness, and Naomi courage to keep doing this.

in theatre now

I've just left Naomi and rachel at the theatre doors. Naomi seemed calm with her ipod having decided she didn't want the temazapam (sp) to relax her..... her surgeon met us (sporting a nice black eye !) and explained he will stretch the spine as much as he can, and change the rods if they then aren't long enough.

Hopefully this afternoon now....

Naomi is 2nd on the theatre list, sometime this afternoon. Being woken at 6am for toast wasnt fantastic, but it could be a long wait! The girls are relaxing on the ward... more later..

Getting ready for my next operation.....

hello everyone
As you know i am going into hospital this week and i would like to thank everyone who has been supporting me for the last few weeks.
i would just like to point out the people who have really been supportive.
*Vic my children's leader at church and all of the children especially all the children who have prayed for me.
*My teacher Mrs Hewitt and all of my class.

If you have not seen my "YOU TUBE" video then why dont you have a look on links then the third one down.
I will miss every body while i am away and you might get a special hello from me so keep checking up.

NAOMI X X :)

9th Spine Operation

Here we go again... After some hope last year that we could switch to a non-invasive rod extension system, that isnt happening, and Naomi goes into Stanmore tomorrow for her next operation. We are a little unsure what they will do until Rachel sees the surgeon which will typically be late in the evening tomorrow after an X-Ray. Surgery will be first thing on tuesday morning 8.00am. They will either 1) try and get one final extension on the current rods in the hope of a switch to the non-invasive once the ethics approvals have been given or 2) change the upper rod completely to make way for several more extensions on the current system.
That will probably get discussed and decided in a matter of minutes tomorrrow evening so please pray for Rachel in that conversation.
Naomi knows what to expect, good and bad of course, and we and she know that there will be some tough moments this week.
Richard

Happy Christmas 2010

Well its been too long since we sent any news. Naomi was sent home in July and we waited to see the new Doctor who had started to fit Magnetic rods. After 3 months waiting to see if it could happen, and Naomi being happy about the changes, we found out today that it is unlikely that the next operation can be magnetic rods ( as they have not got ethics approval in time to continue doing then on any more chidlren) so we are going back to our Consultant to discuss another extension of the rods in the way we were doing it before this pause. We will let you know in the New Year what happens once we know. In the mean time have a great Christmas celebrating Jesus - Emmanuel - God with us!

Rachel