Our journey with scoliosis began in January 2018, when I first noticed a significant change in my daughter Ivey’s posture. I knew something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t sure what it was..
She had always been an active girl, especially in gymnastics, but recently, she was struggling to do even the simplest cartwheels. Her body wasn’t behaving the way it used to, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
At first, we trusted her pediatrician, who wanted to wait and see if the changes were simply part of growing.
But my mother’s intuition was telling me to get a second opinion. So, we saw a new doctor, who immediately ordered X-rays and had the results back within hours. The diagnosis was what I feared: scoliosis.
My heart sank. I had heard of scoliosis, but I didn’t know much about it. The reality of the condition hit harder when I learned that my husband also had scoliosis. The fear and sadness I felt for what my daughter might endure overwhelmed me.
The curve in her spine was already significant, and I could see that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. We were referred to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, where they quickly began working on a treatment plan for Ivey.
The specialist recommended a back brace, which Ivey would need to wear for 20 hours a day. She was 11 years old at the time, and I could see the discomfort and frustration this caused her.
The brace was large, covering from just under her armpits down to her hips, making everyday activities difficult. She couldn’t sit comfortably, eating became a challenge, and she struggled with basic tasks like going to the bathroom unassisted.
The brace even impacted her wardrobe—her once favorite blue jeans became unbearable, and she had to switch to leggings and maternity pants.
But through it all, Ivey remained positive. She continued to dance, even carrying her brace with her on family vacations. As a preteen, this was hard on her, but she didn’t let it stop her from pushing forward.
The curve progression slowed, but after nearly a year, we received the devastating news: surgery was inevitable.
I remember the phone call clearly. The doctor said, “She definitely needs surgery.” My heart sank. I had always known that something might need to be done, but hearing the words made it feel real.
How could this be happening to my strong, energetic, and beautiful daughter? Ivey had never even been to the ER. She was always busy with activities—cheering, dancing, community service, and FFA. How would this surgery affect her life? Would it change who she was?
Thankfully, Ivey had a close friend, Kaitylnn, who had gone through the same surgery. Even though they lived a few hours apart, the bond they shared grew stronger through this experience. Kaitylnn was able to speak to Ivey, helping her understand what the surgery would be like. It brought them closer and provided Ivey with some much-needed reassurance.
As the surgery date drew closer, I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Ivey was involved in a community charity called Bras 4 a Cause, where she spent months designing and raising money for breast cancer awareness. She didn’t want to miss the event, so we scheduled the surgery for the week after, making sure she could participate in the cause that was so close to her heart.
We sat down with other parents who had experienced this surgery, and their insight was invaluable. Ivey’s surgery was going to be long—eight hours in the operating room. I had to prepare myself for the worst. My husband and I spoke with medical professionals and prayed for the strength to get through it. Our community support was overwhelming. Ivey’s dance studio insisted she stay on the dance team, and her instructors made sure to show their love by sending her gifts for her hospital stay.
The day of the surgery came, and I was a nervous wreck. At 4 a.m., we left our home and made our way to the hospital. As we arrived, we were greeted by the chaplain, who prayed with us before the surgery. I could barely keep it together as I watched my baby girl being wheeled away, her future uncertain. It was one of the hardest moments of my life.
The surgery lasted eight hours, and I could hardly breathe until the doctors finally told us that everything had gone well. Ivey had undergone major spinal surgery, fusing 90% of her back. When she came out of surgery, she was two inches taller, her spine now straight. It was incredible to see the change, but also heartbreaking to witness how much she had endured.
We spent the next four days in the hospital, where Ivey was monitored closely in the ICU. The staff at Scottish Rite was outstanding, taking care of both our physical and emotional needs. Our family rallied around us, and Ivey’s strength never ceased to amaze me. It was humbling to see her fight through the pain and discomfort, and I felt a deep sense of pride for her.
When we got home, the support continued. Friends and family brought us meals, checked in on us, and offered their help in any way they could. It was a tough time, but we weren’t alone. Ivey recovered steadily, and by four weeks post-op, she was off all prescription medication and her incision was healing beautifully. She returned to school part-time and began to catch up on the work she had missed. She even went back to dance class to support her teammates, showing her resilience and determination.