United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Thank you ...thank you everyone for your responses. I feel so much better. I knew that we would try anything...and now I'm POSITIVE that we're doing the right thing. When I logged on this morning and saw there were responses...I grabbed Molly - I got my coffee and she got her hot chocolate and we went through them. We're so interested in all of your stories and experience with this. With a 13 year old- we should be the pros by now, but we're the rookies!
PS: How huge is this spint really? Molly's picturing this huge contraption....even still...she's like, "Bring it on!"

for pictures and more, check out francine's website. www.injurednewborn.com. if you go to maia's page, you will find pictures of each surgery. good luck!

I think you are in very capable hands with either Shenaq or Nath. I have a 4 year old son who has had 2 surgeries at TCH. Altough Dr. Nath did both, we have seen Dr. Shenaq as well. I felt comfortable with both, even though I choose to stick with Dr. Nath when he left TCH.
One thing I can tell you is to go with the doctor you and your daughter feel most comfortable with. Many of the well-known BPI specialists (Waters, Nath, Shenaq, etc) are excellent doctors. We based our decision on whom we felt the mst comfortable with and things fell into place from there.

As far as the size of the splint, here are some pictures of younger children (not sure if you have seen them)...
http://www.texaschildrenshospital.org/c ... ng_BP.aspx
http://www.nbpepa.org/ambass.htm

It is big and is somewhat cumbersome, but for a 13 year old I don't think she will have any probelm getting used to it. My son got used to his in no time at the age of 3, and I know of other young children who did good with the splint as well.

Check out www.injurednewborn.com. Francine has documented all of Maia's surgeries and has some great pix. Her whole website is filled with tons of invaluable information. Good luck to you!

Katie:

You are doing the right thing. You are doing the right thing!

My son has had two surgeries with Dr. Nath (awesome - I cannot say enough good things about him), with phenomenal results. As others have said, Dr. Shenaq also is quite qualified to help your daughter. TCH is the greatest hospital. Surgery is a hard choice, but it's a good one if you want things to get better for your daughter's arm.

We'll be praying for you guys, and keep us all posted.

Janet