14 replies to this topic

[alka2710]

Well got bad news today. My 13 year old daughter needs spinal sugery for severe scoliosis. Going to see surgeon next week and will probably be scheduled for last week of June after school gets out. Scary stuff. She will be laid up with non jarring activites for 6 to 12 months while bones fuse. Had 2 opinions so far and have 1 more scheduled for next week. I am now debating putting the boat in the water at all. I do have 2 other children but think it would be unfair to go out with them and leave her home. I don't want to seem selfish but would putting out boat in be terrible. I am looking for opinions. Also the slip is paid for the season already .Thanks
Al

[professor48]

Al: I'm really sorry to hear about your daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with her, you, your wife, and the rest of the family. We've been through similar situations with two of our children and really know the feelings you must be having. Believe that she will be OK. We both live near some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world. Thank God for that. As to the boat: Put it in. Even if you only get out a few times with the other kids or even alone, you'll be glad you did. You might even be able to have family lunches or dinners on board at the dock with all of your children, including your 13-year-old. I wish you, and her, all the best. Hy

[Jimt]

Wow. Sorry to hear. But she'll be fine with passage of time. Yes, put the boat in. You've nothing to lose and if only for a few hours it may be good therapy for you and your family. My guess is that your daughter at 13 would understand and Hy is correct, that a few lunches on board may help everyone cope including your daughter who probably knows how much you love the boat and wouldn't want to stand in your way. Good luck!

[Whalersailor]

Hi Al, I am very sorry to hear about your daughters condition. But like the others said, you and the family are fortunate to live in an area that has access to some of the best doctors and specialists in the world. Kids are resilient and she is going to bounce right back before you know it. I kind of agree that you should still put in the boat and use it from time to time if for no other reason then to keep the family interested and your daughter looking forward to the day she can join in 100% and can get back into boating. Boating is mental therapy and you might still be able to find time to take it out on your own or to just hangout and have a meal on it. I would approach it as you do every year, so as not to give your daughter any reason to feel badly about the rest of the family not being able to get out on the boat. Any indications on when she might be able to go out on the boat if it were a weekday, little to no boat traffic and if you just did a slow cruise without bringing the boat on plane? No matter what you decide with regard to your boat this season, it will have been the right choice. Good luck and I will be praying for your daughters speedy recovery.

[WV Relax]

Al; Nothing in the rule book for this one. Follow your heart and you will be fine. If your daughter enjoys the water and the boat, i agree with the others, take her down and let he sit in the slip and enjoy the outdoors and good fellowship. The rest of the family will definately need a retreat, and the boat may just become the center for healing.

God's grace to your daughter for a speedy recovery, and God's grace to the family for patients and understanding.

[delaney]

+1 to all the comments above - I will pray for a speedy and healthy recovery for you and your family. anything that gets the family together is a good thing. sitting at the dock w/ your family is alot of fun and may brighten your daughters day

[2strokemerc]

Very scary stuff, hope everything works out.

[alka2710]

Thanks for the thoughts on this one. I always said boaters were the best group of people. As for the boat I guess I will put her in. I think I was just feeling guilty yesterday when we found out. I am confident she will be ok and will get her out for some fishing trips and if the weather cooperates some beach days on the weekends before the end of June.
Al

[Toddler]

Al, Our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery for your daughter. As for boating its up to you and the family to decide.

m

[Futzin']

Best of luck to you and your family! I remember well my sister (scoliosis) in the hospital in traction, then wore a Milwaukee brace as late as high school. Rough for her, to be sure.

Very much hope she does well, physically and emotionally.

Enjoy each other (and your boat!)

[sc gamecock]

Al, echo above. Yours and your families health are most important. I pray your daughter has speedy recovery. See how everything go's and maybe y'all can get out this summer.

[chrisoswald]

find a nice calm day in the middle of the week when no one is around and you and your little girl go out just you two...make it a daddy-daugher day...even if its just a putt around the marina..you will both have fond memories of it later.

[billy737]

Hope all go s well for her and your family.

[DAVECS1]

I know weather can always be a factor, and a risk, but back when I had my back surgery and everything as far as wounds were healed up, nothing felt better than being weightless in the water. I spent a significant time in the family lake. If you can get the boat to a quiet cove and possible out fit it with a posh piece of furniture for her to get comfy on. The trips could be great therapy.

I understand all about having a daughter as you can see about my Avatar. She was born with a nuerological condition, that can give her symptoms like migranes but with a pain factor about doubled. When she had her first episode I thought my heart was going to break. When she got through it she crawled up in my lap and asked if I was ok. I think if kids have caring parents that stick with them they are as strong as anything out there. Today my daughter is almost out of the woods and I am suprised an relieved that she is a tough little Monkey. I still worry like a dad does, but I am feeling more confident everyday that she will be OK.

My thoughts and prayers to you, and if the funds can allow it i would say put the boat out there, see how she progresses, when everything is done and play it by ear. THere just may be a great family get together waiting in the wings that will make her smile. In the mean time before the roads gets bumpy I would live it up.

[alka2710]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. We will have the date of surgery tomorrow. Hoping to get it done soon she can start highschool with her class in September. She has a good attitude and should recoup when done. Just will be a long time till she is fully recovered, could be up to 9 months.
Al