Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The "Wow!" Showing X-Rays of scoliosis correction surgery to family and patient.

One of the best parts of my job is getting a chance to share the
postoperative X-Rays with parents and with the scoliosis patients
after correcting their spinal deformity.
Yesterday we helped Claire from Virginia who had a severe double curve
scoliosis, and got a very nice correction.
The usual conference room where I meet with families after surgery was
being used, so we shared Claire's old and new "shape" next to each
other up against the window. Mom and dad and Claire's brother
definitely gave a big "Wow!".

Later in the day yesterday, I shared the X-Rays with Claire, as she
was recovering after surgery in her private room with mom and dad.
She looked up at the printout of her X-Rays, before and after, and
gave a very definite "WOW!", and a very broad, bright smile.
I also understand that she was "texting" her friends on her cell phone
within 2 hours of waking up from anesthesia!!
Since her surgery was just under 3 hours, that makes almost 5 full
hours when she was out of contact with friends!
Thankfully we have a free wireless network in the hospital, so she can
also email or IM friends from her room.


------------------------------
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
http://www.heyclinic.com
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) http://www.srs.org

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