First holiday together since departing to the US for Olivia’s surgery in October 2022. We are so happy to be reunited. One year ago we were told by Olivia’s doctors at Necker hospital in Paris, France that her spine was on the verge of collapsing due to the instability seen on an X-ray. Doctors told us she had to immediately be bedridden, fit with a thoracic cast, and “not move very much”. From that moment in the doctor’s office, July 21, 2022, we knew our lives would never be the same.
We knew this dreaded news would come one day. There it was. Olivia was almost 10 years old, an age of body maturity that big decisions had to be made for children with severe scoliosis. Our hearts dropped when the entire team of Parisian doctors repeated the same diagnosis, “keep her spine at rest and let’s see how she fares in a few months.” Well I wasn’t OK with that. No chance I’d accept that as the ill-fated life Olivia would have. Bedridden and brushed aside without concern?!? No. Zero chance. I have never been someone who accepted defeat. When I’ve been done faced with a challenge, I’d face it head on and conquer the obstacle in front of me. I had to put all my efforts into finding a better answer. One of my first calls was to Dr David Feldman at the Paley Institute. I knew he would help.
Together, we did it. Now, five months post surgery, Olivia’s scoliosis is corrected. Paralysis aborted. Living her best life. Reunited with her family. She is thriving. Ready to go back to school in September.
The best days of her life are ahead of her.
Thank you. 🙏 Thank you.🙏 Thank you Dr David Feldman at Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute. Our prayers were answered.
@paleyinstitute @bruluganski @mumxthree @agirlinabillion @davidsfeldmanmd