United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

That's what I would do too...I would think an exam would be in order...or you could set-up the surgery and tell the doctor you want the option of cancelling after she is examined...It would maybe save a trip that way....I don't know how far you are but for me traveling is always a hardship.
Good Luck!! Sorry about the bad news
T.

Jennifer - sorry you had such news and hope that you get more information about the why's and such so that you can feel comfortable about whatever decision you make. Where do you live? Any gatherings coming up in your area? Here's what we have so far http://www.injurednewborn.com/gatherings.html
and I understand there is one in Long Island in April, too but I don't have information yet.
-francine

one of the mothers that i know schedules a clinical on the monday (i think) before surgery to have her daughter evaluated then so that she can get the recommendation before heading into surgery. i will same a trip and $$$ good luck, i also just got the "call" yesterday we will be going in for surgery at 2.5 years that will be 18 months post mod quad. it really stings when you get the news but chin up i am just thankful that there are corrective procedures that can be done early
sharlon

If it is a surgery we weren't really expecting or had not made that "final call" on we do clinic on Monday and have surgery scheduled for Tuesday--that way it can be cancelled if you get a miracle.

It makes you feel a bit better in some ways and then some it wears you out because it is an extra day that is broken up so you can't really go "do" much.

We'll keep you in our prayers.

We too got a call today 2-7-02 and the same two surgerys was recommended for our daughter, but they want to wait until she is at least 2 1/2 she had the mod quad done on 7-23-01

I would probably talk to her surgeon first to understand why they're recommending the surgeries, etc. Francine has a huge list of questions that we compiled here and I would work on that list. Also, I would definitely do an in-person eval. before making any commitments. Either do a quick trip just for an eval. or combine it with a tentatively scheduled surgery (and just go there having done your research already and being prepared for surgery, just in case). For us, it works best to plan it all into one trip. I'm sorry that you got this unexpected news. How's Peyton feeling? All better, I hope? Take care. -Tina

If it makes you feel any better - Cassidy just had this surgery. . . . it was good and bad in different ways now that's she's older. The surgery was on Jan. 29th - her Mod Quad was done in Sept. 2000 - so 14 months ago. It was worse because she was older and more aware of everything around her (and she's a total home body - so all she wanted was to go home). She did great leaving us to go to surgery - which I thought would be really hard - but they gave her some "pre-anethesia" and she was high as a kite and happy to go anywhere with anyone as long as she was riding in the wagon! ha ha ha

She woke up from surgery horribly - the anethesia they used was very strong - but wore of very quickly and she woke up disoriented and MAD! All she kept saying was "I WANNA GO HOME - I CAN'T MOVE MY ARM - GET THIS OFF MY ARM!" So after about 2 hours of that in recovery - and 2 doses of Morphine - they brought her a TV/VCR and let her watch Scooby Doo and she was good to go after that. We're home now and she's her usual spunky self - no more pain meds and raring to go!

Keep your chin up - and remember - at least they are young - and won't remember most of it when they grow up!