Alaina Rodriguez Alaina's Encouragers

Welcome to Alaina's Encouragers! We've created it to keep friends and family updated as we go through this journey.

By the time Alaina had her 12 year old physical with her doctor we were well check pros. School was 'good'. Ears and eyes checked out fine. Heart and lungs sounded great. The last thing on the Dr's to-do list was the scoliosis check. It seemed like Dr. Myers was taking an awfully long time looking at Alaina's back. As I looked at my daughter bent over nothing seemed unusual until he pointed to a slight bump on the right side of her back. The next step was to get an X-ray. We quickly discovered Alaina had severe scoliosis.

We chose to bring Alaina to Boston Children's Hospital. She was fitted with a back brace which she was instructed to wear 20 hours a day. The goal was to stop her curve from progressing as she continued to grow. The brace was uncomfortable. She had to learn how to move, breathe and sleep with this device as it held her body in a way the was unnatural. Alaina wore the brace for one year.

Recently she started to complain of back pain. The doctors in Boston wanted us to bring her in.

X-rays showed Alaina's curve had progressed. Despite the brace her curve grew from 40 degrees to 59 degrees. She is no longer a candidate for bracing. Her curve would get worse if we chose to do nothing.

We are now preparing for spinal fusion surgery. Alaina's surgery is scheduled for April 6th. It will be roughly 6 hours long. She will be in the hospital for about a week and out of school for up to 6 weeks.

The good news is the surgery can correct Alaina's curve. She will be able to ski and swim and one day drive. The next few months will be difficult. However if any kid can persevere through a challenge, it's Alaina.

Another scoliosis mom told me this site was very helpful in keeping her daughter's spirits up through this process. Please join me in praying for Alaina. We appreciate any words of encouragement you have.

THANK YOU