Should I be worried that 2 doctors at our military hospital and 3 doctors at Seattle Children's Hospital didn't catch the two NEW disorders that our "second opinion" doctor (in Utah) told us about on Friday???? Seriously?! So the phone call I was waiting for anticipating some treatment options ended in a diagnosis of Spina Bifoda Occulta and a tethered spinal cord...which means he can't treat Zac for the scoliosis until the cord is untethered!!!! THAT IS SURGERY:( Jeff won't even talk to me about this because he refuses to get upset about a prognosis that doctors can't agree on. After our tumor scare, I understand but....so back to "square one"...asking our specialists to REVIEW the MRI/X-Rays to confirm...or deny (I hope) this new diagnosis! What sucks is that if the new Doc is wrong...do I want him to treat Zac??? His reputation is amazing....okay, one day at a time. Put in a telephone consult to Seattle; average time to hear back is 2 weeks. LOVELY. In the meantime we have an appointment on 26 Oct for genetics testing another X-Ray. Am so sad and frustrated! If Zac has this tethered cord, he will start manifesting symptoms with the next few growth spurts. Not sure how docs determine when surgery is "appropriate". I know one thing, this patience God is giving me WILL NOT last if my baby is in pain!

Getting there...I think?

Saw attending (senior) spine guy in Seattle today. I was very assertive with him..he handled me well and Jeff didn't get mad at me so it was win/win:) Doc told me he will "compromise" with me ...wants Z back in October for a new X-Ray. That way he can compare the films to see if the scoliosis is progressing..makes sense right (moms of kids with PIS hold back)...yeah..this makse as much sense as watching a ticking bomb to see if it's going to explode! Doc said he didn't want to prescribe treatment options yet..says it may be premature. WOW! I was actually taking it all in stride until he ordered genetics testing to rule out Ehler Danlos Syndrom or Marfan Disorder (connective tissue disorders). This is the second of the 5 doctors we've seen who have mentioned this. Definitely up for ruling out these painful syndromes! Still a bit shell shocked. Taking it as it comes and being grateful it is not worse. The halls and waiting areas of the Children's Hospital are full of pediatric cancer patients and kids with major physical disabilities/deformities. I am humbled each time I pass through the doors of that facility. Please pray for the mothers, fathers and care givers of those children! Before I sign off...one more note...I sent all of our medical records to Salt Lake City Shriner's Hospital; they are one of seven hospitals in the US that perform a special casting for infants/toddlers with scoliosis . Their doctor is on vacation but I should hear back from them by late next week. It would be a time consuming out of pocket expense but we are ready to make that committment for Zac-Man:)