I cannot believe it has been FIVE years since Danielle had her life changing scoliosis correction surgery. It has been a while since I have posted on this blog and a lot has happened since 2015. She had a two year follow-up appointment in January 2016. When it was about time to go back to St. Louis, we got a call from Dr. Lenke's office. We were informed that Dr. Lenke had moved to practice medicine at The Daniel and Jane Och Spine Hospital at New York - Presbyterian/Allen, where he is the Surgeon-In-Chief. We were given the option to follow him there or schedule with the doctor at Washington University Hospital. Although a trip to New York sounded like an adventure to Danielle (she begged her dad to take her on a little trip to NY) it was really not necessary in our situation. Danielle still likes to tease us that she needs to see Dr. Lenke and wants to go visit him. We had one appointment and are happy with the follow-up doctor appointed to Danielle's case, Dr. Munish C. Gupta, MD.
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| Danielle and her college roommates. Fall 2016 |
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Our family at a family wedding.
She and her oldest brother were in the wedding.
Sept. 2018 |
As I mentioned in my last post, Danielle attended the University of Missouri in Columbia starting in the fall of 2014. She led a normal, fun college life. Her freshman year she rushed a sorority, but she decided after sophomore year that sorority life was not for her. She moved into an apartment her junior year with some amazing young women! They always looked out for her. She really led a normal college life, from attending football games and tailgates, standing on her feet all day, to the long walks to class across MU campus with a heavy backpack.
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| Family vacation in Mexico. Summer 2016 |
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| Another vacation to Colorado. Summer 2015 |
As you can see from the picture above our family went on a vacation where a flight was required. During our 6 month follow-up appointment, Danielle asked Dr. Lenke if she would need a doctors note to get through airport security. He informed us that the security would not even accept a doctor's note but there was no need to worry since her rods are made out of titanium and not metal.
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| Danielle and her dad at a KC Chiefs game |
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| Danielle and I at a Tim McGraw concert (my favorite!) |
Danielle graduated Cume Laude in May of 2018 from the University of Missouri Columbia with a Bachelor's degree in Business Finance with an emphasis in Insurance and Banking. She is now an insurance agent and is doing great. She works out, is active and is leading a very normal, productive life. She still gets achy when going on all day shopping trips or on long car rides (but who doesn't LOL) I can't be more proud or grateful!
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| Danielle and her boyfriend. |
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| Danielle and her brothers at an MU football game. |
Danielle is in a relationship with a young man she has known her entire life. They have been friends forever and began dating while in college. They did not attend the same college and have had to make a long-distance relationship work. Her boyfriend knows her history. He's seen her in pain both before and directly after back surgery. He is loving and kind and I know he will always have her back! ...Pun intended ;)
Occasionally she experiences back pain.....mostly at high stress times. Finals week always caused back pain and stress. Other times I notice are when she's had to stay in the same position for long periods of time, or when she is working on a big project of some sort. She mostly experiences upper back and shoulder pain. The doctor informed her in her 2 year post op that is probably where she will carry her stress. Like most scars, Danielle does not have feeling in her scar when you touch it. To much of her dismay, her scar is fading. She is very proud of it and would love to show it off but with the natural indention of her spine the scar is extremely unnoticeable.
Things have not changed over the last 5 years, and we couldn't be more thankful for the results we have gotten with her life changing surgery. The journey has been difficult at times, there have been battles, and tears. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about those 2 rods and 22 screws. I wish so many times I could take it all away and live it myself. God has surly blessed me with a wonderful daughter, husband, sons and people who care for us and have helped us through it all. I still believe with all my heart that it was a true miracle from God that Naomi called and had an opening so soon. Dr. Lenke is a top notch doctor and God truly blessed us with that phone call. On the anniversary of Danielle's surgery, my oldest son sent us a recording of the phone call from Danielle right after surgery. She was in recovery and still pretty medicated. It made me laugh, cry and also very proud to hear both sons' care and concern for their sister.
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| College Graduation. Spring 2018 |
