An update so soon...

We talked to Dr. Lincoln today and due to a scheduling error ( the other doctor that operates with doctor Lincoln is on vacation) we have been moved again to December 28th! One prayer answered, Christmas will be good!

The Back Story...

Lacey is my strong,  healthy, beautiful girl! We discovered that she has scoliosis at her 12 year well check on June 24, 2011... And the world wind began. Within two weeks she was fitted with a back brace that she was to wear for 23 and a half hours of everyday, only taking it off to shower.

 She wore the brace for two days and was very uncomfortable, on day three we had our first appointment with Dr. Todd Lincoln (Pediatric orthopedic surgeon) at Kaiser Oakland. He is so kind and understanding and we like him a lot. He explained to us that with the location (lower back) and the degree of the curve (47%) that the brace would not be able to stop the progression of her curve. If not corrected she would become diagonally hunched forward for the rest of her life, and that would/could cause some of her organs to be compromised. After talking over our options as a family we decided that having the surgery was in Lacey's best interest. I called to schedule a surgery date only to be told that we are number 4 on the waiting list for 2012...ugg. They were to call in mid October to schedule a date, so when I received a call ten days later saying that an opening was on September 19th and Lacey had the highest priority I snatched it right up! The date of September 19th was working out to be the perfect date...we were going to be switching insurance a the end of the year, so an earlier date was better. Lacey would only be missing school in one trimester instead of two. My mom was able to take the whole week off and help me with my other three kids...it was just all falling into place. Lacey and I had a LONG day at Kaiser Oakland on August 30th, pre-op appointment, then a nurses appointment to give her the run down of what she has to do before check-in, a physical to give her clearance for surgery, admitting paperwork and writing out the co-pay check, lab work and a ton of X-rays.

 We had nights of crying and uncertainty, we prayed a ton and felt good about the decision to go forward with the surgery. Food has been made, suitcases have started to be packed, sheets have been changed, the house was in the middle of being clean....we were ready. The worry has been eating me alive and the  recovery was about to begin.

September 12, 2011, Seven days before surgery,  " Hi Mrs. Wheeler, this is Kaiser Oakland...Your surgery has been canceled due to a nurses strike." Let the crying begin. I called every person that would listen to me at Kaiser but it didn't seem to make much difference. We have now been scheduled for surgery on December 19th. Lacey will have to spend 5-8 days in the hospital and I am praying with all of my might that she can be home before Christmas. I am not sure how the insurance thing will play out or what I am going to do with my other kids. Lacey will miss less of school since she will be out over Christmas break, so that is a positive. I'm kind of lost right now, trying to get things back under control and plans made (you all know how I am about being on top of things!) But, this is what I do know...December 19th is the new date for a reason, I'm not sure of the reason yet, but I know my family is being looked after and this is all happening for the better. I will keep you all posted as we find out more! Thank you all for your love and support!

And now we wait....