Hoping for the Best

Spoke to the neurosurgeons. Clearly, they are disappointed with the results. You can tell that they do not like being put in the position of "doing harm", but it seems to be better to attempt to "get it right the first time" than to pursue a graduated approach.

Multiple surgeries increase the chance of infection or other difficulties and scar tissue from prior surgeries make it subsequent ones less sucessful. They also believe that impact of the shoulder will be minimal. They are more concerned with her leg. She will require rehabilitation and she may have a limp. It is a risk/reward decision.

This is our best shot at a cure. At 16, she is young, resilient, strong, and still developing. We are putting our faith in a better outcome than the doctors are predicting (their worst case scenario) and a good rehabilitation (see Adam Taliaferro).

Surgery will be tomorrow. It is currently scheduled for 1 pm but it was clear Jay would like to do it sooner. We will probably be in the PICU throughout the weekend and then to the Seashore House, CHoP's pediatric rehab.