School, Power Chair and Medical Updates

Travis continues to enjoy Kindergarten and loves his teacher, classroom aides, and class. :)  He attends all day Kindergarten and by Thursday he is fairly tired. I remember the older boys also adjusting to all day school. Thursdays are also the days where they go around the school a fair amount for their different activities. His teacher and classroom aides are wonderful and they have his stroller ready for if/when he tires. T's motivation and determination inspires us all. Next week is his parent-teacher conference, I'm looking forward to that meeting. Since the start of school we've noticed an improvement in his coloring and some in his handwriting when he does his homework. :)

We heard from insurance in mid-September and insurance approved the power chair for T. The medical goods company ordered the power chair and Shriners called this week to set up the appointment to finish customizing the chair to Travis and his specific needs. Travis has his routine MRI on Tues (10/9) morning and his appointment at Shriners that afternoon. It could be interesting with T being sedated earlier in the day. ;)

While at Physical Therapy on Sept 10th, the PT noticed that Travis was bending his left knee more than before. He suspected that Travis' left leg had grown more and confirmed his suspicion by looking at the difference in the lift and left leg (while keeping T's hips aligned). Travis' lift is currently near 6 cm and adding another cm would create more instability and potential for injury to Travis' right ankle (the non-issue leg). It would be possible to brace T's left ankle with a higher lift, but the bracing also adds some components of complication.

One of the many reasons I'm thankful Travis is able to receive physical therapy at Shriners is the PT contacted T's orthopaedic team and talked with them regarding his concerns for Travis and the leg length discrepancy increasing. The PT wondered if it would be possible to do guided growth for Travis' left leg (basically slow down the left leg growth with several surgeries over years). At this time Travis' surgical plan remains the same due to the added complexity of Travis' extensive tumor...2 timed surgeries. The first surgery will correct Travis' knock-knee issue and the second surgery will be to stop the growth plate on Travis' left leg. We don't know exactly when the surgeries will occur, the first depends on the angle of the deformity and the second is calculated from Travis' growth rate and expected future growth. Travis sees his orthopaedic team for a regular checkup in early November.

Travis' 9th MRI in just under 2 years will be early Tuesday morning at PCMC, his 11th MRI overall. As with previous MRIs, the CD from this one will also be sent to the National Cancer Institute for volumetric analysis. The analysis results have been available as soon as 6 days after the MRI to as long as 4 weeks after. Thank you for all your prayers and support as our family travels this NF journey. I keep seeing reminders of all that God has provided Travis and our family as we move forward each day.