Tuesday, November 17, 2009

do you see it?

Last week I mentioned that we'd taken the family to see a chiropractor and when we returned a few days later to see the developed x-rays, we saw an obvious curve in Liam's spine. Peter and I and Dr Quirk all hoped that some of the curve was due to how he was standing and that it would not be quite so pronounced a curve when re-examined.

We went back yesterday for another appointment and more x-rays. To begin with, Dr Quirk had Liam take off his shirt and move around (raise his arms, bend and touch his toes, etc), all the while pointing things out. Now that we know it's there, I can't believe we didn't see it on our own long before this.

Take a look at this picture I took this morning.

DSC_0323

Maybe nothing jumps out at you, but look at it again, this time focusing on the height of his shoulders and where his spine runs between his shoulder blades.

DSC_0323

Do you see it now?

To make it even more obvious, I've added some lines. The black shows where his spine should be and how his shoulders and hips should line up. The red is how they actually are (although I don't think I did the neck right. I just remember him saying that there's a secondary curve near the base of his neck, but that the neck itself is perfect).

DSC_0323 (lines)

Now do you see it? How did we miss it all these years?

Liam, for his part, is not at all phased by the news that his spine is curved. He says his back never hurts (although he does have some wicked bad growing pains in his legs that might be related). He was thrilled to see "his skeleton" on the x-rays and to have all the bones and organs pointed out to him by the doctor.

And Simon? Well he was thrilled to learn how to turn on the wall-mounted light boxes...

5 comments:

  1. I can see how'd you miss it, its not something that really stands out if you're not looking for it. Now that you've pointed it out though, I can see that its there.

    :(

    Have you heard anything more about how easy (or not so easy) the fix will be?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Honestly...without the lines, I would never have noticed. Not that I'm a doctor, but I would think his treatment would be fairly conservative. Hoping for the best for you..and him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was able to see it right away, but unless you look really close or happen to see him standing super straight...so easy to miss. I am praying for you guys! - Kristi

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there ... you likely already know this, but just in case ... it may be reassuring to know that having a curvature of the spine is not all that abnormal. My mother, my brother and I all have scoliosis. My brother and I were diagnosed early, had xrays and then the curvatures were simply monitored during our growing years. It has never caused any of us any discomfort, pain, or any physical abnormality that anyone could notice without drawing right on photos like you have. We've all played sports and I danced ballet for more than a decade -- in other words, led active lives and all that. It hasn't affected our lives at all. Zero. Zilch. If you're like me, you read that Judy Blume book growing up. But those are rare cases that a brace is needed. Just wanted to send some happy vibes your way .... Julie

    ReplyDelete

Comments satisfy my need for validation. LEAVE ONE!