Hardware from Sydney's back

See below for a pic of all of the hardware they removed from Sydney's back and left arm.

*The two rods on the left are from her arm from when she broke it about two years.
*The screws, brackets, hooks and rods are from her back. The screws are about 5cm in length (about 2 inches)

We still can't believe that all of this metal was in her back. We're hoping to maybe melt this stuff down and turn it into some jewelry to remind us of this journey we've had with Sydney's back. If anyone knows someone that can do this or has connections, please let us know.

God Bless,
-A4

Surgery #15

Here is Sydney resting the day after her 15th back surgery. Her surgeon removed all of the hardware from her back as well as two rods that were in her left arm (from when she broke it almost 2 years ago). The first 24 hours were tough. She was obviously in a lot of pain and she has been vomiting from all of the pain medication. She did get up and walk to the bathroom last night. So the more she can get up and move around, the better. We are hoping for a quick recovery and hope to be back at home soon.

God Bless,
-A4

Sydney Update ... Saturday morning

Good morning! Sydney had a pretty rough night. The pain medicine has really got her feeling nauseous. She is using a PCA (pain button) to help control her pain ... she doesn't like using it, but she also is trying to control her pain. She did get sick a few times through the night and she is really complaining about the general pain from the surgery ... we know it's from her back, but we also think it's from her ribs (which is new to her because her surgeon has performed surgerises on her back only and he has never done anything like this before on her ribs). We're praying that she starts to feel better and that she has a better day than she did last night.

God Bless,
-A4

Recovery Update #1 ...

Sydney made it back into recovery after a little bit of a wait in the O.R. They are re-doing part of the hospital and so the recovery area was too full for her to go back there. We made it up to the ICU ... we're in the brand new part of the hospital. When we say "brand new", we really mean brand new -- they just opened up this new part last week. Sydney looks really good. She is obviously in a lot of pain but she has been able to control it with her pain pump button. We're praying for a good night for Sydney. We're hoping her pain subsides. We want her to get back on her feet as soon as she is able. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers!!!

Surgery #14 ...

Today is finally upon us ... Friday, December 21st, 2012. Sydney will be having her 14th surgery to correct the scoliosis in her back. She will also be having surgery on her ribs to help with the prominence on the left side of her back. She has truly amazed us during this 6 1/2 year journey and she will continue to amaze us. Thank you to "Team Sydney" (everyone that is following and commenting on Facebook). We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers! We know that Sydney is going to do great during the surgery. We trust God that he will watch over her and protect her during this procedure and during the days after while she recovers.

In Christ's name,
-A4

2 days away ...

Going through the roller coaster of emotions ... it's been tough these past couple of weeks. We're just trying to do things to keep Sydney busy and trying to keep her mind off of what she needs to go through in the next few days and the recovery time afterwards.

Here she is after getting her hair cut. Thanks SO MUCH Amy!!! It looks great!

Thank you for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers during this time!

God Bless,
-A4

About 10 days away ...

Sydney's surgery is about 10 days away. We are more and more anxious. She really wants to be home for Christmas ... we are just hoping and praying for a successful surgery and that she heals well and gets back to "normal" as quickly as possible. We trust God and have faith and believe that he will take care of Sydney (and us) during this time.

Tomorrow she gets to dress down and not have to wear her school unifomr. She gets to wear a holiday outfit to school -- YEAH! She's excited. I'll try to remember to post a pic.

G'nite,
-A4

Less than 2 WEEKS AWAY ...

Sydney hasn't been sleeping well for the past two weeks ... about the time she learned that she will be going into surgery on December 21st. Surgery that will hopefully be her last one to correct the scoiliosis in her back. None of us have been sleeping really well for that matter. We look back at the photos from when this all started and see how much Sydney has grown. One thing for sure is that she is the most brave and courageous person that we know. Through all of the x-rays, doctor's appointments, drawn vials of blood, hospital gowns ... she's been through more than what 20 people do in their entire lifetimes put together.

Please keep Sydney in your prayers. Pray that the surgery goes well without any problems or issues. Pray that the surgery is a success and that her back will be straight and normal. Pray for quick healing and recovery. Thank you all for following!

God Bless,
-A4

Me and my puppies ...

Here is a recent pic of me and my dogs -- Cali and Colin. Aren't they just adorable?!?

I am seeing my back surgeon tomorrow. I'll probably get some new x-ray pictures of my back ... but at least I get to miss a little bit of school ;) Just kidding!!!

We'll see how my back is progressing and how the surgeon thinks we need to move forward. I'll try to post some new pics as well.

Until then ... have a good night!!!
-Syd

Sydney's new "HARDWARE"

Sydney's surgeon removed the VEPTR device that was in her back and replaced it with a new device. Here is what she got ...

First off, this is her THIRD different system in her back. It's composed of 2 bars, 4 screws at the base (which are screwed into her lumbar vertebrae), 4 clamps with hooks (which are attached to a couple of vertebrae in her thoracic area), and a bevy of other screws and clamps that move and adjust as she grows.

She is definitely our BIONIC little girl. She is so brave and strong and has been such the trooper to have gone through this 5 year journey. This was her 13th major back surgery and we hope that end of all of these procedures is in sight.

She has actually been pretty sick this last week (since last Thursday) ... so keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We've been to the ER, her own pediatrician, a couple of rounds of tests and bloodwork. The doctors really haven't found anything and are just saying it's a "virus".

Until next time,
-A4