Spinal Cord Surgery

February 7th, 2005 @ Scottish Rite

Dr. Stevenson (neurosurgeon) will be performing surgery on Maggi's spinal cord to release the "tethering". She has what they call, "LIPOMA", which basicly is a fatty filum. Everyone has a filum that connects from the bottom of the spinal cord to the bottom of the spine. As you grow, the spinal cord raises up through the spine. Maggi's filum is fatty and is not stretching with the growth of the spine, which is causing the curve to get worse. Also, if the surgery is not done, paralisis would be the end result. In order to get to her filum, Dr. Stevenson will have to remove part of her bone. She will only be in the hospital for two days, lying flat on her back to assure that the spinal cord fluid stays where it should. When she gets home, he said that she can go back to normal activity. Wow! Amazing!

Dr. Stevenson is a character, he is super intelligent...as a neurosurgeon should be...but talking to him, it is as if he is doing an everyday activity like changing the oil in your car. Dr. Stevenson deals with spinal cord issues and the brain. Luckily, the two that he specializes in are the two main issues Maggi has. He did her craniotomy and is very familiar with Maggi and all of her needs, so we aren't as nervous for the spinal cord surgery as we were with the craniotomy. We are so happy that he is going to do the spinal cord surgery. We are BLESSED!

Please keep Maggi in your prayers on February 7th. We know that she will do very well and are confident in the staff at Scottish Rite.

If you have seen baby Noor on the news that had her surgery at Scottish Rite, there are clips of a nurse bringing her out of surgery. Well, she is the same nurse that assisted Maggi's surgeons for her craniotomy! We were tickled to see Robin carrying baby Noor. She is a sweetheart and we know what great hands baby Noor is in.

Well Wishes!
Donna