Danielle's lower curve remains 3 degrees. Dr. McPhail is such a perfectionist that he is still working on a treatment plan to get it to 100% corrected. But we are both happy with 3 degrees. We now go to Summerville once a month.
July 9, 2008
Danielle's lower curve is now a 3 !!! Hooray! She has been scheduled to visit every 2 weeks now instead of once a week. We're starting to learn our way around Summerville pretty well now! Keep us in your prayers & thank you so much for your support! We are very blessed to have so many who care about Danielle!!
Fundraiser: www.blujay.com/gloria1987
I call Dr. McPhail's office to make an appointment for 2 days next week to work on Danielle's lower curve; which is currently 5 degrees; one degree better than her last appointment. So, if you're a customer, make a note that my brother will be working Copy Biz next Tuesday & Wednesday. T
June 24, 2008 Tues
Dr. McPhail calls me & recommends an intesive week of treatment for Danielle's lower curve. He wants her to come down 4 days in one week. I tell him I can't do that due to the price of gas & that we had anticipated receiving some money back from the insurance company but we haven't gotten the check yet. He allows me to bring her 2 days a week for the next 2 weeks & we'll see how that goes. If it doesn't work, then we'll have to give in to the 4 days a week plan.
June 18, 2008 Wed
Danielle visits Dr. McPhail today & we learn her top curve is now 100% corrected (again) after it had returned to 6 degrees after being previously corrected. Dr. McPhail told us to expect the curves to continue on & off as Danielle continues to grow - its normal. He is still concerned that her lower curve isn't improving as fast as her top curve had. He is going to talk with some colleagues & call us back with a recommended treatment plan. Her lower improved by 1 degree since her last visit. I've began fundraising by selling Meringue cookies. I found a restaurant that allows me to use their ktichen to make the cookies due to DHEC regulations about selling home baked goods. Thanks,Jim!!! I've also put a jar with Danielle's pic on it on my front counter at Copy Biz. Angel is hesitant about me fundraising because he doesn't like asking for $. But as a parent, you do what you have to do.
www.drmcphail.com
March 19, 2008 Wed
Danielle & I go for gas with the Visa gift card I got from Lowe's. The pumps won't read the card. I drive to another gas station (HESS) & have the same problem. I go inside & the cashier, Andy, tells me that the card won't work at gas pumps. I feel like I'm going to break down in tears because I would have to call Angel to see if we have the money for gas in our bank account; we don't have a lot of extra $ to spend. However, Andy comes up with a way to get me the cash through use of the Visa card in the store, even though his co-worker is advising him not to do it because they aren't suppose to accept prepaid Visa cards. He gets it to work & I wanted to just give him a big hug & kiss!!! Thanks, Andy!!! I'm sure he has no idea how much of a problem I'd been having trying to use that card. I get in the car after pumping gas & head for the highway. I call Dr. Piehl's office & ask them to fax Dr. McPhail a copy of Danielle's records that weren't given to Angel yesterday. Thanks Becky!!! They fax it without any problems since I am already on the road & don't have time to make it to downtown Columbia if I want to get to Summerville on time. I hope this isn't an indication of how things are going to go from here. Dr. McPhail tells us the same info Dr. Piehl gave us....Danielle has a 20 degree curve. We agree to let Dr. McPhail treat her along with Dr. Piehl. For the next 2 weeks we will be driving to Summerville 4 days per week! Hope gas prices come down soon!!!
March 18, 2008 Tues
Angel drives to Dr. Piehl's office to pick up copies of Danielle's records. When he gets home he has copies of the x-rays but no records.
March 15, 2008 Sat
Lucky me! I got my Lowe's rebate card, a Visa gitf card, in the mail which has $54 on it. I'm excited because I can use the card to pay for gas to get to Summerville & use it for lunch for me and Danielle.
March 14, 2008 Fri
Danielle's brace fitting was scheduled for today but we cancelled it earlier this week pending Dr.McPhails' consultation.
March 10, 2008 Mon
Dr. McPhail returns my call & believes he can help Danielle but wants us to come down for a consulation & x-rays. Consultation is free but x-rays are $250. He forewarns us that if he feels he is able to help Danielle to be prepared to pay for her treatment out of our pockets because insurance will not cover Scoliosis Correction. The treatment will cost $4,000. Thank goodness we just got our tax refund!!! Our consultation is scheduled for March 19th. I call Dr. Piehl's office (orthopaedic) & request copies of Danielle's records be ready for pick-up on Tuesday, March 18th.
March 8, 2008 Sat
Danielle goes skating at Three Fountains today. She was invited by Senator Jake Knotts' as part of a celebration for kids who have been on the honor roll 2x or more. Danielle has been on the honor roll since school started. Guess I have a smart kid :) This is a great event for her to take her mind away from Scoliosis.
March 7, 2008 Fri
I found the name of the school where the doctor at the Scoliosis Correction Center in Conneticut was certified. I visit the school's website - www.clear-Institute.com - and find a certified doctor in Summerville, SC. Summerville is only 1.5 hours away vs. the Scoliosis Correction Clinic in CT. I call the Dr. in Summerville and leave a message.
March 6, 2008 Thurs
After seing a pic of the Boston Brace, Angel & I both agree there has to be a better treatment alternative. I do a lot of research & find a site that has lots of information about Scoliosis & treatment options - www.scoliosiscorrectioncenter.com
March 5, 2008 Wed
Danielle was diagnosed with Scoliosis in March 2007, one year ago. Her curve then was 10 degrees. Today, her orthopaedic finds she has a 20 degree curve. Her orthopaedic prescribes a Boston Brace.