Emma had another MRI and x-rays. I talked to Dr. Muhonen today and he is pleased with her progress. He wants to see x-rays in 6 months. She is doing good and happy. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

Just a quick update. Emma saw the neurosurgeon on Wed. Everything looks good. You can see new bone growth on the x-rays. She does Not have to wear the collar any more, but continues to take things easy while the fusion takes. She will get an MRI at the next apt. and we will see if it had any effect on the syrinx.

*Child Cervical Halo is GONE! *

*Yaa! THE HALO IS GONE! 3 months and 1 week is enough of that. It was scary for her when it came off. She actually wanted it back on! The unknown can be a little scary and She has not had to hold her head up for months and those muscles were weak. She now has a neck Collar. Doc says 4-6 weeks with that on. He is still really worried if the fusion will take. The back of her skull was so thin he is worried that the screws will not hold. Time will tell over the next few months. She will continue to get monthly x-rays. We had a fun trip back to Cali. Emma got to visit with her friends and go see some of her teachers from Litel.

*UPDATE*

Emma had X-rays and saw the neuro-surgeon today. He said everything looks really good. He can see new bone growth. He said she might get her halo off next month. Man i would be excited for that. He said her pin sights are the best he has ever seen. Which is good cause they kind of freak me out. So another month till her next apt. then well have another update!

Family therapy in an International Peace Park helps recovery!

Emma was doing so good with her halo we decided to head to Canada so she could have cousin therapy! Nate wasn't able to go:(. So Thanks to my mother-in-law who took responsibility for Levi in the day (Nate had him at night.) We were able to go for a week. She did really well and her energy level increased a ton just in the week we were there. She continues to have a great attitude with the whole situation, with only occasional outbursts of frustration with having this contraption on! (Who wouldn't have those!)

We go the second week in August for an X-ray to see how the fusion is taking, then we will meet with her neurosurgeon, and hopefully get a better idea how long this thing will be on. We are planning on staying in Cali till the halo comes off. Then we will move to AZ. So our life continues to be on a month to month bases.

Emma hiked up to Blackeston Falls. It is a short little hike, just 1.5 kilometer. They did lots of crafts. Flew kites. Made regatta boats to send down the river. Trips to the candy store. Her favorite part was just hangin with her cousins.

Doing Well

We saw the doctor today, and the halo tech. Everything is looking good. We will get an x-ray in 6 weeks to see how the fusion is taking that should help us narrow down how long this contraption will be on. She is doing amazingly well! Still a little run down on energy, but thats good so she can heal. This is picture my sister-in-law snapped of Emma's first trip out to eat since surgery.

Her Scar

Here is the scar on the back of her neck. The one on her hip where they got the bone from for her fusion is about the same sizes. It is still covered in sterry strips. Most of her scar will be up in her hairline. When her hair grows back.