Well, I never dreamt that I would be writing a post feeling so peaceful, calm and happy at

twelve months post operation. 

To be honest, I never dreamt that I would ever be writing that Skye was able to have VBT / ASC surgery after everything my beautiful brave little girl went through.   To see Skye playing in her beloved 1st XI soccer & futsal team, walking off to school with albeit a very light back pack, and turning into a really lovely & strong 16 year old - my heart cannot stop singing....

It's six months since our amazing experience in Simmerath, a journey that changed our lives.  Re- reading our blog from that time, I talked about conquering the mountain and achieving the unachievable because of the talented and humble gentleman; Dr Trobisch - I'm still in awe of his support and unquestionable skill, he never stumbled, he kept his word, and continues to help families from across the world. 

Skye has gone back to everything including soccer practise and netball and her c...

The past six weeks have flown by. Well, to be honest the past 12 weeks have rocketed by. 

Skye is doing really well, is in zero pain, her scars are healing beautifully and her X-ray looked even better than at 6 weeks (to me anyway).  I've sent the CD of X-rays off to Dr T so we should hear back in a few weeks as to what his opinion is in relation to her curvature.

She went back to netball and played a few games with no incidents.  Once we get the OK from Dr T then she'll head back to soccer, hopef...

Here are the milestones and summary for each day:

Just FYI: Skye had curve sizes of T104 / L84.  Double tether T5-T12, and Lumbar tether T12-L3.  Disc release top four thoracic vertebrae.

- 5 days     -  Pre-op including registration, bloods, x-rays, examination, heart ECG (not standard).

Day Zero  -  Pre-med @ 7am, down to theatre @ 7.30am, operation @ 8am, in ICU by 4pm.

Day One   - 1st chest tube out, standing, getting out of bed & walking with help.

Day Two...

Wow, it does feel weird not writing every day with how Skye is doing.  But truthfully there is no need, she is doing amazingly well, her scars have healed beautifully and she is back doing most things - but just going gently.

It was her 6 week mark today, and we headed along to our local Pacific Radiology to have a full spinal X-ray, which we will send off to Dr Trobisch in Germany for his evaluation and recommendations.

I must say I was very relieved to see that all looked good (well, to my eyes...

Since arriving last Easter Sunday (1st April), we've had a bit of a whirlwind of a week.  Personally I went back to work on Tuesday, it's just awesome to be back and the team gave me a lovely welcome, and threw me into the thick of things :-).

Skye started back at school for 2 periods a day on Tuesday, and spent the afternoons relaxing with her cousie, we'll do this for two weeks, and then school breaks up for two weeks, so she'll get back to school full time starting week 7 post surgery.

We went...

Well, we are sitting at the airport - reflecting once again on this incredible journey that we have been on.  My heart and head still cannot fathom what we have been through but I'm getting there slowly, and reality is settling in.

We've had a lovely week filled with catching up with lovely families, to rekindling a lost but oh so special friendship :-). 

Grandad (93) & Skye have a very special bond, he just loved having her around, and was very sad when we had to say goodbye.  But we'll be back,...

Skye is doing brilliantly. 

Not only is she going gently, but she is getting stronger each day.  Her pain is very manageable and her scars are looking beautiful.

It is two weeks today since her operation, we've done a bit of travelling, staying with Grandparents and now extended family, and absolutely realise there is no better therapy than being with loved ones.  Skye hanging with her cousins; being content and happy is a joy to watch.

She went to see Macbeth this evening at the Royal Shakespeare...

After a relaxing day yesterday, today, we went into the hospital to have the chest drain stitches out.

Skye absolutely lost the plot when it came to have her two stitches (one for each chest drain) removed.  After everything she has been through to have tears, tantrums and utter fear felt very weird.  But as always the nursing staff were very reassuring and performed the task quickly, to the point that Skye screamed when you are going to start - her response; all finished :-).

But unfort...

After being discharged yesterday morning, in the afternoon we headed off to Dusseldorf Airport to pick up my lovely niece, who is staying with us for a couple of nights before we fly to London for a week prior to  heading home.

It was really hard yesterday leaving the comfort blanket of the beautiful hospital, and I must admit it felt really weird being out and about in the real world, and taking Skye to the airport upon reflection was a really bad idea, as she got really tired - but sh...