Scoliosis
As parents of two normal, healthy teenagers, we never expected to ever see the inside of Children's Hospital. However, our son, Christopher, was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 14. When he was 17, it was decided he needed a spinal fusion and the insertion of two metal rods to correct the curvature of his spine. All this would be done at Children's Hospital. Needless to say, we were all a bit nervous. But the morning of his procedure, the staff and everyone that was to be a part in the operating room came in and talked to us and explained everything and made sure we understood. We were free to ask questions if anything was unclear. They were very assuring and compassionate. The procedure went well and Chris went from the recovery room to spend 24 hours in the Intensive Care Unit where the nurses were amazing. After our time there we got a room and remained at Children's for five more days. I don't think Chris would have done as well as he did had he been in a regular hospital. I think being in a hospital that has staff trained to work in pediatrics was key in his recovery. I work with special needs kids and many of them have been to Children's Hospital. It wasn't until my own son became a patient that a realized what a special place Children's really is. I am so thankful we have a place like this for kids who need the services Children's Hospital has to offer. Almost every morning we were there I would see kids walking around pushing their chemo IV poles with their bald heads, knowing they were fighting cancer. It was the norm there. Even though it was those kids who were sick, I felt at peace to be there. I knew we were in the right place. Why? At Children's, there is hope.
