I spoke with Dr Brockmeyer, the neurosurgeon, today and he had good news for me. He was very pleased with the way Annabelle's x-rays looked. She had a regular x-ray done on Wednesday and then on Friday she had a flex-x as well. The flex-x is just x-rays of her neck while it is flexed. Makes sense, right? So they take the pictures from the side as she tucks her chin to her chest and then as she tips her head back as far as she can.
He said her neck is stable at this point and he doesn't anticipate her needing any surgery. Best news ever! I honestly thought the best we could hear was that it was the same as before, but he said it actually looks better now. Despite all the destructive things we are doing to her body (chemo and radiation) her neck has managed to heal a bit! There is some sclerosis, or scarring, at the c-6 vertebra which shows up bright white on the x-ray. That is where the bone has tried to heal itself so it is very dense with calcium, which makes it show up whiter. So if anything else, it is actually stronger than before.
Of course there is no telling what the future will bring, but Dr Brockmeyer said he expects that it will get stronger and stronger with time. They will continue to follow it closely, but he said she is clear to do regular activities now. She can be a kid again....well, a kid with a paranoid mother that is!
Here are a few pictures from my phone that I took while she was having her x-rays done.


5 comments:
I am so so happy for you guys! Thanks for sharing the good news!!
WOO HOO!!! Hugs and kisses to all of you! I'm doing a happy dance for you. Love, Auntie Penn
Great news!!! :) So happy for all of you. You deserve good news after everything you all have been through!
What great news!!! You are all so brave. Her sweet face always is smiling! :)
Oh, happy day! Give our girls a squeeze.
Post a Comment