Local teen’s spinal surgery delay taking serious toll
A local parent says her daughter is still facing many ramifications due to delayed surgery resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Syrah Lake, 14, was diagnosed with scoliosis — a curving of the spine — a few years ago, and by early 2019 there were significant concerns resulting from the condition.
Last year, Syrah was going to be admitted to the Alberta Children’s Hospital for a few months for what is called “halo traction” to straighten the spine as much as possible before having spinal fusion surgery.
“Everything was paused last year due to COVID,” said Elesha Lake, Syrah’s mother. “If nothing had been cancelled due to COVID, Syrah would have been admitted mid-2020, that was the time frame.”
Elesha says in January the surgeon decided to forego the halo traction and do the spinal fusion surgery on March 31.
This month there were several pre-surgery appointments. X-Rays where technicians bend and stretch Syrah to see how far they are able to straighten the curve of her spine raised concerns, says Elesha. The surgeons decided there were too many risks without having “halo traction” before surgery.
“Because her curve has progressed and is even more inflexible than a year ago ... With the halo traction they can straighten the spine as much as possible gradually,” Elesha said in an email.
There could be an increased risk of spinal cord damage if they go directly to fusion, she says.
On March 31, Syrah will now have surgery to attach the metal halo to her skull at four or six points.
“It is a gravity traction setup,” said Elesha. “She will start with 10-15 pounds and they will add weight as they can. Once she reaches half her body weight they will take her in for fusion, however if her spine is still showing consistent correction, they will keep going.”
Syrah says nobody can actually see what she is experiencing.
“It’s a lonely struggle. A silent illness so to speak,” she said.
Syrah has managed to connect with other young people who have had similar surgery and says that has helped.
They expect to be in Calgary for six to 12 weeks, depending on Syrah’s response to the traction.
The family has established a GoFundMe page to assist with financial costs.
“I am currently on the referral list for the Ronald McDonald House and I am hoping to have a spot the day Syrah is admitted,” Elesha said in a recent email.
In addition to trips to Calgary there is the cost of hospital parking, food, as well as one parent in Calgary and the other driving back and forth for work.
After Syrah is released from hospital, there will be medication costs and frequent physiotherapy that will be part of her recovery process. Elesha says her husband’s private extended health-care benefits will only cover a small fraction of what Syrah will need.
Spinal fusion surgery will include using bone from Syrah’s hip, and rods to straighten the spine, says Elesha. The recovery time will be about 12 months.
The family has estimated their costs will be about $25,000.
“We have updated our GoFundMe accordingly as our needs have changed. And we continue to update our GoFundMe, Facebook and Instagram pages so our supporters know what’s going on,” she said.
Elesha says she and her husband Don find it quite overwhelming.
The GoFundMe page can be found at gofund.me/360c1cfe. Updates through can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/ Teenage-ScoliosisWarrior-111269727238343/ or Instagram at @teenagescoliosiswarrior.