Gavin Davis

     This is the story of our son Gavin's journey with Scoliosis.  It started last summer when Gavin went in for a physical.  When the doctor asked him to bend over and touch his toes I didn't think anything of it. But when Gavin did I saw my son's right shoulder area completely hump up. It was so extreme that even the doctor made a comment , "Wow, I wasn't expecting that ".  I knew then that we had a serious problem. From there we were referred to an Orthopedic doctor to discuss options to help his Scoliosis. We went to a few doctors for their opinions. Seeing the x-ray and how severe the curve was was a heart breaking  moment as parents. 


      After many doctor appts and much prayer we  felt like Dr. Brian Scanell was the surgeon Gavin was meant to be with for this surgery.   The first

x- ray was taken in June 2016. And at that point his curve was a 50% curve in the Thoracic part of the spine. That is the top section of the spine. He has what looks like a backwards C in that part.   We were told at the first appt. that his curve was already bad enough to need surgery.  Dr. Scanell wanted to wait a little bit to have a couple growth plates fuse shut before we scheduled surgery. So we waited until Feb. and at that appt is when Dr Scanell told us to go ahead and schedule his surgery.  The surgery will involve going in and breaking his spine, placing two permanent rods and screws in, and bone grafting. The surgery is called a Spinal Fusion surgery.  They may also have to work up into his neck.   The surgery we were told will last around 6 hours.  He will spend a week at Levine Children's Hospital here in Charlotte.  They have told us he will be 2 to 3 inches taller right after surgery! This is one perk for Gavin, who is trying to catch up with his dad's height!! 


    So now we are a week and half away from surgery day, May 19th.   I can't believe it is almost time, but in many ways we are all ready to get this day behind us.  So many of you have been asking what you can do.  Chad and I would so greatly appreciate your prayers at this time.  Here are some of our specific prayer requests-



Gavin- He is in a lot of discomfort, so pray that he can get some relief

- pray for peace and that he does not have the heaviness of anxiety or worry 

- pray for him specifically for the time right before they put him under-  he has told us this is the time he is most scared of



Chad and I- This is the greatest lesson  of trust we have ever had to go through.  We are both at peace that Gavin is going to be just fine, but turning our son over that day to the team of surgeons is only possible with the Lord's strength and all of your prayers.  Pray for us also as we juggle meeting all three of our children's needs while Gavin is at the hospital.  I know as a momma I will feel so torn, but thank God for all the wonderful support we have here that are so graciously offering to help with Ella and Parker- we couldn't do it without family and friends!! 



Ella and Parker-


Pray for them to also have peace and understanding that Gavin is going to be ok. They both would tell you that he is the World's Greatest Big Brother 

( which is the truth) and this whole thing is very scary for them. Pray that they can understand as much as possible that mom and dad have to be at the hospital a lot that week and that their love tanks can be filled by all those around them who are stepping in for us when we can't be with them. 



       We are beyond blessed to have all of you in our lives.  We have no doubt that God is going to use Gavin in mighty ways.  We keep telling him "let his 

misery become his ministry".  We strongly believe this boy of ours will do just that!! 




Much Love ,




Chad, Tara, Gavin, Ella and Parker