Share Your Story: A Visit From the Tooth Fairy

Share Your Story: A Visit From the Tooth Fairy

Meet Jade, a patient who is treated by our experts in the Center for Excellence in Foot. Learn more about her journey below.

Blog written by Jade’s mom, Deirdra, of South Carolina. 

We first noticed a growth on Jade’s ankle in March 2017. Initially, we went to her pediatrician and were told that it was cancer. They did an X-ray and the doctor could not determine what the growth was. He then sent us to Scottish Rite for Children and as soon as we met with Dr. McIntosh we all felt better

Jade needed a CT scan to take a better look at her ankle. Luckily, we learned that she in fact did NOT have cancer. Jade has an incredibly rare condition called Trevor’s Disease. Basically, this causes an overgrowth of cartilage and we were told to come back in six months to check for additional growth.

In October 2017, Jade started to experience pain when walking and running. It also happened to be time for her follow-up appointment, so after discussion with Dr. McIntosh, we determined that surgery would be the best option for Jade. Her surgery was scheduled for the next month. It was the day of her surgery and everyone was amazing – the nursing staff, the doctors and even the pastor who prayed with us made us feel at ease. Jade did wonderful and even woke up a few dollars richer. She had a couple of loose teeth that the anesthesiologist needed to remove, and the tooth fairy visited her in the operating room! It was incredibly special for us to have such a caring staff.

At the time of her surgery, we were living in Texas. We have since moved to South Carolina, but we still make annual trips back to Dallas just to see Dr. McIntosh for Jade’s follow-up appointments. Scottish Rite for Children means everything to us. Everyone is willing to help, and they make all children feel special. When a kiddo is going through major surgery, it is so nice to have amazing staff surround you for every step of the journey.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.

Share Your Story: My Bracing Journey

Share Your Story: My Bracing Journey

Meet Mary Grace, a patient who is treated by our spine experts. Learn more about her journey below.

Blog written by Mary Grace, of Dallas. 

The first time I was told I had scoliosis was at my check-up when I was 11. I was in the fifth grade, an avid dancer and involved in choir and theater. My mom and I went into my appointment clueless of what was about to happen. Everything was going normal until my pediatrician asked me to touch my toes so she could check my spine. She was silent for a few seconds. “Umm… hold on,” she said. She brought in the other pediatrician to also look at my back. They discovered that I had a curve that was visible to the naked eye. This was not the kind of news that my mother and I were expecting to hear. We were immediately referred to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. I felt a rush of emotions – I was confused, scared and shocked. My mom told me, “Don’t worry, Scottish Rite is the best of the best and they will take great care of you.” I didn’t know it at the time, but my mom was right. Scottish Rite Hospital would later go on to provide me with five years of the best possible care.

patient smiling
A month later, I had my first appointment. We pulled into the hospital and I was immediately at ease. It had a bright, cheerful looking playground and big crayons framing the doors. Once inside, I was overwhelmed with the delicious smell of popcorn. It did not look or smell like a hospital. First, I was taken to get an X-ray and then we were put into an exam room. None of the rooms had numbers or scary names on them and I didn’t even see the words “scoliosis” anywhere. Instead, the rooms were named after fun kid things.

I immediately liked my doctor, Dr. McIntosh. She was kind, smart, fashionable and also a mom. She immediately connected with me and we began talking about our lives. After getting to know each other, she told me that I had moderate scoliosis. At that point, my curve was less than 20 degrees. I was told that for now, I only needed to be seen every six months for scans of my spine to make sure the curve wasn’t progressing. I visited Scottish Rite Hospital the summer before my sixth grade and during the middle of that year. Both times, the curve had not progressed. In fact, they told me that after my next appointment, I may be done with my treatment forever.

My next scan was scheduled for July, when I was going into seventh grade. I wasn’t at all worried since my three previous visits had all been uneventful. I had my scan and waited for Dr. McIntosh. My mom and I talked in the spacious patient appointment room, completely unaware of the impending news that would change my life forever. What happened next was shocking! The door opened, and it wasn’t just Dr. McIntosh, but a team of at least four people. Dr. McIntosh informed me that my scoliosis had progressed significantly in the past six months. My curve was now 28 degrees and I needed to be fitted for a brace right away. My mom and I both fought back tears as we were sent downstairs to the Orthotics and Prosthetics department. Our specialist, Kelsey, could not have been more kind or encouraging. She formed personal connections with me from the second she walked through the door. After a few more orthotics appointments, we even developed our own inside jokes. She scanned me for the brace and told me lots of encouraging stories about other teenaged girls who wear braces. We were instructed to come back in three weeks when my brace would be ready.

Three weeks later, I was back at the hospital to get my brace. Although it was fitted and made just for me, nothing about it felt normal. It was big, hard, very tight and even with the medical tank tops underneath, it rubbed my skin. Kelsey in prosthetics was incredibly kind and patient with me. She had me walk the halls of the hospital, practice sitting down, standing up, etc. while wearing my brace. Then, I would report back to her about where it hurt, and she would make adjustments. Sometimes I couldn’t even articulate exactly what it felt like, but she worked tirelessly to try to make that brace as comfortable as it could be. After a long day, I left the hospital feeling upset while I carried my brace in my arms because I had to work up to being able to wear it for long periods of time. I could not believe that this was going to be my new normal for the next few years. In the hospital parking lot, I saw a girl about my age who was also carrying a brace. She noticed the brace in my arm and walked right up to me.  She said, “Hi, I’m Cadence, I’ve worn a scoliosis brace for the past six years. I can give you lots of tips.” She then proceeded to tell me how she managed to stay cool in the brace at night, which undergarments worked best with it, how to adjust the tank top straps to fold over the brace to work with certain outfits, etc. Cadence was so optimistic and said all of this with a big smile. I thought, “If she can do this and still smile like that, I can do that too.” Cadence and I became pen pals and regularly texted about our scoliosis. When she came to Dallas a few months later for her scoliosis surgery, I came to visit her at the hospital.

I continued to wear my brace throughout middle school. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t always comfortable. However, Dr. McIntosh, Kelsey and every single person I interacted with at the hospital made this journey as wonderful as it could be. 

They cheered me on, they listened to me and they offered support. 

Like Cadence, I too have been able to help younger girls with scoliosis. I like being able to share my experience and cheer them on. I smile and visit with every single person I see holding or wearing a brace in the halls. Since I am now fully grown, I no longer have to wear my brace. There is a chance I will need surgery down the road for my scoliosis. I hope not, but if I do, I know I will be in the best possible hands at Scottish Rite Hospital.

cheer dancer

While I didn’t wish to have scoliosis, the experience has made me stronger and helped shape what I want to do with my life. My journey at Scottish Rite Hospital and with Dr. McIntosh has made me want to be a doctor. I am beyond thankful for the hospital and the amazing people who work there. They have provided me with so much (including my “bionic” torso as my mom and I call it). Once you experience the community and people, you immediately want to become a part of the family. It is a special place that makes everyone feel welcome and supported. Scottish Rite Hospital has taught me that with a strong support system, coupled with a positive and open mindset, anything is possible.

 

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.

McIntosh and Tulchin-Francis Receive the Women Who STEAM Award

McIntosh and Tulchin-Francis Receive the Women Who STEAM Award

At Scottish Rite Hospital, our team of experts are recognized nationally and internationally for their dedication to advancing the care for children with orthopedic conditions. This week, two of the hospital’s very own received a unique honor.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., and Division Director of Movement Science Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, Ph.D., were selected as Women Who STEAM by the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The STEAM award acknowledges outstanding women from diverse backgrounds in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. McIntosh, Tulchin-Francis and the other six women honored, have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields, while also teaching, mentoring and serving within the community and workplace.

McIntosh and Tulchin-Francis are leaders and innovators at the hospital. Both understand the importance of educating the next generation, especially young women who may be interested in the sciences. Together, they organize and host the Dallas Perry Outreach Program and Medical Student Outreach Program through The Perry Initiative – an organization that encourages young women to pursue careers in orthopedic surgery and engineering. They have the opportunity to share their story to this group and showcase what it is like to be a female working in this industry. “The greatest honor is to have the opportunity to influence young girls,” says Tulchin-Francis. “Being able to show them what I do and letting them take what they are learning in the classroom and see how it can be applied in real life is a victory in itself.”

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation established in 1946 that consists of over 15,000 professional women of color located throughout the world. The 2019 inaugural Women Who STEAM Award luncheon was hosted by the corporation’s Dallas chapter. They recognize the tremendous value in actively supporting the growth and development of young girls to create a positive future for the community. The chapter established the Women Who STEAM Award to create a pipeline to success for all girls of color, specifically in the STEAM fields.

(Photos courtesy of Reflections HP Photography, ReflectionsHD.com)

Medical Staff Attend the 11th International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis

Medical Staff Attend the 11th International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis

Doctors and researchers from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children are attending the 11th International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis (ICEOS) meeting in San Diego, California. This annual conference brings together medical professionals who specialize in treating pediatric spinal deformities to discuss the latest research and innovations.

The Growing Spine Foundation (GSF), established in 2008, is a non-profit organization that supports education and research efforts to enhance the care and treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) patients. The GSF educational mission is carried out through the annual ICEOS meeting as a commitment to finding new techniques to help this patient population. Several of Scottish Rite Hospital’s doctors are members of this group. Over the years, ICEOS has grown to be known as the premier medical conference for clinicians and researchers who are dedicated to researching innovative techniques to care for children with early onset scoliosis (EOS).

Members of GSF from the hospital include Assistant Chief of Staff Charles E. Johnston, M.D., Medical Director of Ambulatory Care Brandon A. Ramo, M.D., staff orthopedist Amy. L. McIntosh, M.D. and research coordinator Dong-Phuong Tran, M.S.

As a faculty member of ICEOS, Ramo understands the value this meeting brings to the overall care for patients diagnosed with EOS. “Early onset scoliosis can range from the common to the complex,” says Ramo. “The ICEOS meeting enables collaboration and focused discussions regarding this patient population to ultimately educate specialists on the latest treatment techniques to enhance the standard of care.”

This year, the hospital has several projects selected for presentation. In addition, staff are leading various educational sessions throughout the three-day meeting. The research projects selected include:

  • Continued Deterioration in Pulmonary Function at Minimum 18-year Follow-up from Early Thoracic Fusion in non-Neuromuscular Scoliosis – Nominated for a Behrooz A. Akbarnia Award for Best Paper
  • Short Term HRQoL Results in MCGR and TGR patients – Divergent from Long Term EOSQ Results in TGR Graduates

Scottish Rite Hospital is honored to have the opportunity to educate and share research with medical professionals from around the world. It is conferences like ICEOS that allows our doctors to have a farther reach to bring the best possible treatment back to our patients and children everywhere. 

#SRHaccess Facebook LIVE Recap: MAGEC Rods

#SRHaccess Facebook LIVE Recap: MAGEC Rods

On this week’s Facebook live, Amy L. McIntosh, M.D. joined us to discuss MAGEC rods – an innovative treatment used for early onset scoliosis (EOS). Below is a recap of the conversation.

What is a MAGEC rod?
A MAGEC rod is a growing device technique used for patients diagnosed with early onset scoliosis (EOS) – children under the age of 10. This is a less invasive, innovative treatment which reduces the amount of surgeries a child must undergo.

Qualifications for MAGEC rod treatment:

  • Children diagnosed with early onset scoliosis.
  • A curve approaching 50 degrees and other forms of treatment (i.e. bracing, casting) have not been successful.

What medical tests are done to determine the severity of a curve?

  • Scottish Rite Hospital has an advanced imaging technology call the EOS machine. The system produces long length images of the spine with significantly less radiation than other imaging tools.
  • Based off the x-ray, the curve is measured by your doctor to determine the degree.

What happens after the rod is placed?

  • After surgery, a patient will stay in the hospital for three to five days on average.
  • The back must heal from the surgery and after four to six months, the patient will return to clinic for his or her first lengthening session.

How is the MAGEC rod lengthened?

  • Your doctor will use a magnetic wand to locate the magnets in the rod and will make a mark on your back.
  • An External Remote Control (ERC) is the device used to expand the rod in your back. The device can make a loud noise, but our Child Life team is there to make your child feel as comfortable as possible.

Can the child be active while having the MAGEC rod?
•    Our doctors support patients being active and staying healthy.
•    Recommended activities include: biking, swimming, walking and hiking while having the MAGEC rod.

Watch this segment on Facebook.