Happy 2018

I know, it is almost the end of January, but we hope everyone’s 2018 is starting of amazing! 

With the end of January quickly approaching, it means Natalie will soon have her first lengthening with her MAGEC rods. 

MAGEC stands for MAGnetic Expansion Control System.  These rods are growing rods and will stay in Natalie until she is fully grown, which by the way I have learned, that most girls are fully grown two years after the start menstrating (random bit of knowledge there for you all). 

We will meet with a Child Life Specialist the first time before her lengthening. They will go over everything with Natalie and help her feel calm. I asked her the other day and she said she was fine, so I pray she stays that way. 

I have also heard from parents and patients in a support group I am in, that the lengthening does not hurt, but may feel kind of funny. A few have a little pain the following night or the next day, but nothing a little pain medicine can’t control. 

Natalie will lay face down on a table and our Dr will use a magnetic to find the rods. He will then use a machine, ERC (External Remote Controller) to activate the rods to rotate and lengthen them. All of this is down externally and she will be fully awake for everything. Larry and I have seen a few videos and it takes maybe 10 minutes. 

After the rods are lengthened, Nat will have a quick X-ray to make sure everything looks good and then we are done until her next lengthening in 3-4 months! We will continue with every 3-4 months until she is fully grown. 

I can tell it is time for her lengthening, because she says her back feels tight sometimes and uncomfortable.

I will be updating again soon.  Here are a few pictures below...

Above is a picture of what the rods look like.  The thicker part of the rod is the Actuator, it houses the internal magnet and lengthening portion of the rods.  The rods lengthen above and below the Actuator.

Above is the ERC used to lengthen the rods