Son used to be a mighty football player and, at one time, he had dreams of playing professionally. The following photos were taken by one of the dads around four years ago.
Even though we knew Son had a scoliosis, it had only ever been visible via X-ray, and not to the naked eye. He was undergoing various treatments for it, and intensive personal training to prevent it from getting worse, so, one day, after a football game, when he took his shirt off, I got a nasty shock to see his crookedness. With a shirt on, you see, it was unnoticeable. A subsequent X-ray revealed that the scoliosis had increased dramatically in just a few months to a 73% ‘S’ curve. Thereafter we proceeded with every therapy possible while we awaited his first appointment with a spinal surgeon to discuss options.
We were not prepared for the strict advice given. “You will require surgery and will need to quit football immediately – you will never be able to play again,” said the doctor. “This is your spine,” he continued, showing Son the latest X-ray which I hadn’t had the guts to show him myself. After that, the doctor left the room briefly to allow us some space to absorb this verdict. My heart cracked as Son sobbed and sobbed and I wanted to kill the doctor for his abruptness, only realizing later that there was probably no other way of saying it.
This is the latest MRI of Son’s spine. Its curve had increased to nearly 75% in just a few months. I took the photos against the veranda window, so they’re not works of art!
Husband, Son and I have all come full circle in the sense that, instead of resisting the idea of surgery, we now embrace it and Son cannot wait! After all, now that his spine is causing him discomfort (pain and no stamina) and is squishing one lung and one kidney, we have come to accept that there is no choice any more. And we are so lucky to be living in a country where this surgery is available, with one of the best surgeons in Australia.
I am grateful, fearful and excited. Son will be okay. He even said, “Mum, just drop me off at the hospital and go home again; I’ll be fine.”
No way! I am going to have two nights in a luxury motel near the hospital so I can come and go and be close by.
Roll on next Tuesday – how weird that Son’s day of surgery is Valentine’s Day – good omen, I reckon!
jmgoyder 