We took Evangeline to CHOP today for several tests. The world renown Dr. Campbell is her spinal surgeon, and the tests were ordered to ferret out whether or not Evangeline should have surgery on her spine to treat Thoracic Insufficiency.
Dr. Campbell developed a technique where a veptr is used to help the upper portion of the spine to grow and thus enable the lungs to expand and fuel the body with adequate oxygen. We are so fortunate to be close enough to Dr. Campbell’s practice for Evangeline to have the opportunity to have him as her doctor.
About every six months, the veptrs are expanded and this expansion allows and encourages the spine to grow taller and allows the lungs more space to expand and thus provide the body with adequate oxygen.
We will meet with Dr. Campbell again on February 11th to discuss the results of the tests. We have a few more appointments with Pulmonary and Thoracic surgery before then.
Evangeline has Diastomatemyelia and significant vertebral deformities, and the surgery could risk further damage to an already damaged and fragile spinal column. We will be presented with the results of the tests. Given the information, Dr. Campbell will give us his opinion as to whether the surgery is worth the risk for Evangeline, and then we will have to make the final decision.
She is feeling so much better and even walked a little today on her casts.
Thank you for your prayers for our little Chinese princess.
Blessings!
It is great that you have access to the best doctor there is! Good luck,
warm regards,
Claudia Huisman
I think God had that in mind when He chose us!