Reuben's Pre-Op

Today Reuben went for his pre-op tests in preparation for his surgery next week. He will be having 2 titanium rods either side of his spine fastened with screws and hooks to help keep his spine straight as he grows until he is big enough for a spinal fusion. These will need to be lengthened every 6 months for about 10 years until the final operation.

We started in spinal clinic and we saw Claire - the spinal nurse specialist who did his casting with Pauline, Reuben knows Claire and was happy to let her have a look at him. She explained about the tests he was having today and the procedures for next week.

Then it was across to physiotherapy where we met the physiotherapist who will be helping Reuben after surgery to get mobile and get out of bed and start walking, sitting, standing etc. It is really important for Reuben to become mobile as quickly as possible after surgery to help healing. When he comes home from hospital (after about a week) he has to stay home for 6 weeks to heal and to reduce the risk of infection. He can't play sports for 12 months after surgery while the bones heal.

After physio it was time to go upstairs to the Medical Illustrations Department - they took lots of photos of him from different angles which he quite enjoyed and said cheese!

Then we went to another department, neurophysiology, here Reuben was covered in electrodes on his feet, arms and head and then hooked up to a computer which monitored his nervous system as an electric current like a TENS machine was switched on for about 10 minutes to provide a baseline reading for when he's in theatre. He has another of these tests on the day of surgery. Reuben didn't even notice the electric pulses! He was very good and the team got all the readings they needed which was a relief! We were imagining that he might not like it very much and try and pull off the electrodes but the play workers and nurses kept him occupied well with some of his favourite toys!

Then it was back downstairs and across to x-ray, he had lots of x-rays done from different angles, standing, sitting and lying down. Another opportunity to say cheese!

Then it was over to blood clinic for blood tests, Reuben didn't even flinch! He just watched and was very good! Another relief for us!

After the bloods we hopped clinics to the spinal clinic again and saw Claire again, he did a urine test, skin swabs and then we sorted out more details and information about staying next week.

We see the spinal surgeon at 9am on Friday and then next Wednesday we have to be back at the hospital for 2pm for more blood tests, we all stay overnight and Reuben has to be on the ward for 7.30am with us to be prepared for theatre. He will be going to theatre at about 11am and will come out at 4pm. Afterwards he will spend 2 days in the high dependency unit and then will be transferred to ward 78 while he recovers.

Here is his latest x-ray from today. I'll try and update more news after we see the spinal surgeon on Friday. Phew what a busy day, Reuben was very tired after seeing all those departments, he's gone to bed straight to sleep!