In late 2015, Erika was diagnosed with
Scoliosis. Traditionally, this was treated by fusing the curved part of
the spine, which results in permenant loss of flexibility.
Fortunately, she was eligible for a new type of surgery called
Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT). The 12 hour surgery
was done on August 1, 2016 at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco, California.
Hospital pre-surgery visit on July 27, 2016
Hospital arrival August 1, 2016
Surgery Prep (with Julia) August 1, 2016
Surgery Prep (with parents) August 1, 2016
video of recovery in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit,) August 2, 2016, click to play
First Walk, August 3, 2016
Karen and Ginger visit Erika on August 3, 2016
video of private room, August 4, 2016, click to play
Leaving the hospital August 5, 2016
Erika comes home August 5, 2016
Eating a McFlurry on August 6, 2016
Aunt Ginger bought her a new heating pad on August 6, 2016
Family evening drive to downtown Benicia, August 6, 2016
Drive to downtown Benicia, searching for Pokeman, August 8, 2016
Friends visiting, and ran errands complete with eating a large
McDonalds fry, big day! August 9, 2016
Gained 1 full inch! Took only 12 hours of surgery = worth it! Straighter!
Movie in the Park with Julia, August 19, 2016
Back to school 3 weeks after surgery, August 23, 2016
