Kids | Ashley, a work in progress

Just figured I would update those who are following Mackenzie’s progress…and so I could keep track, too! May 1st Mackenzie had an appointment with Hanger Prosthetics to make sure that they were pleased with how her new brace was doing. Mr. Jeff (we’re on a first name basis with the guy) said that he is pleased as long as the curve stays below 10° when she is in the brace. He said that his only concern was where part of the curve is higher up her back and the brace can’t help it up there. They’ll just have to keep an eye on it. Here she is modeling her plain brace (we have to wait another 2 weeks to get the one with the design she picked out):

Mackenzie wearing her brace

Mackenzie’s x-ray appointment (1)

The brace is actually working! (2)

Another update on Mackenzie (3)

Photo of the Day: #55 (4)

Photo of the Day: #58 (5)

Mackenzie’s 1-year ortho checkup (6)

Mackenzie’s 18-month ortho checkup (7)

Mackenzie’s ortho check-up with new brace (8)

Back in February when Mackenzie had her last check-up, we had a follow-up appointment with the company that made her brace, Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, like we always do. Mackenzie had been complaining about her brace and it was getting really hard to get her to wear it and keep it on all night. I knew she was probably starting to outgrow it and that’s exactly what Hanger said. So, they measured her to get fitted for a new brace and we waited. We had an appointment with them to pick up her new brace and when we went to pick it up, they didn’t put the design on it that she picked out…it was supposed to have American flags all over it but it was just plain white…but we picked it up anyway and made an appointment with the ortho doctor for x-rays in the brace to make sure the new brace was working correctly. That’s what we had done today. The doctor seemed pleased with how the new brace was doing, even though her curve measured 8° this time in the brace. The last time she had an x-ray in the brace it was all the way down to 2°. Next week we go to pick up her “decorated” brace and then we’ll go back in another 6 months. At least she has gained some weight, she is now finally 70 pounds! She also measured 4’11″