Spinal Doctor, Easter, and the Cars 3 Tour

Scoliosis

One of James’ many problems is his scoliosis. Honestly, it hasn’t really been considered a problem until recently. It was just one of the things he was born with, and compared to his other issues it has been pretty low on the list of concerns. Now, because of the curvature of his spine, there is some worry that it might be causing some issues with his internal organs, especially his lungs.

We took James to see an orthopedic surgeon (aka spinal doc) last week to get his opinion. They took a couple of x-rays to see how bad the scoliosis is.

 

Two X‑rays of James' spine are shown side by side. The left image is labeled “Sitting” and shows a pronounced curve through the spine. The right image is labeled “Pulled Straight” and shows the same spine under traction, appearing noticeably straighter. Both scans include measurement angles overlaid on the images, and James' VNS is visible near the upper left chest area in each view.
Spinal x-rays to look at James’ scoliosis

 

I got a little confused when looking at the above x-rays. The circle on the left side of the x-ray images is the VNS that is implanted in James’ chest and should actually be on the right side of the image, when viewing James from the front, which is how they took the x-rays. If they took the x-rays from behind, then the VNS would be on the left side like they are in the x-rays.

Regardless, you can still see just how bad his spine curves. I would imagine with a curve like that that the spine is putting a little bit of pressure on his lung. The doctor wants James to go back to using a TLSO (thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis), or what Stacy calls a turtle shell. We’ll check back in with him in a month and if he feels that it’s not working, he has some ideas for spinal surgery this summer. He didn’t want to get into all of the details about surgery because he wants to focus on the TLSO first.

 

Easter

Easter was pretty low-key this year. Had a very nice dinner at Stacy’s brother’s house. James even got a haircut. Finally!

 

James loaying back in his Nap Nanny, wearing a shirt patterned with small animals. A digital filter adds cartoon bunny ears, a pink nose, whiskers, and large front teeth to their face, giving the photo a playful, whimsical look.
Happy Easter!

 

Outdoors on a patio, James sits in a supportive wheelchair with padded sides and a harness, wearing a plaid shirt and khaki shorts. Jeff and Stacy lean in close on either side, with Stacy holding James' hand. Behind them, a sliding glass door reveals a dog inside the house. In the foreground, a tiled table holds a glass jar with a dark drink and a pair of sunglasses.
Happy Easter!

 

 

Cars 3 Tour

Okay, so I may be 41 years old, but this was freaking cool! Those of you who have kids probably know of the Cars animated movies. Well, as a way of promoting the upcoming 3rd movie in the series, they sent the stars of the movie out on tour around the United States and one of those stops happened to be at the mall where we live. So of course we had to go. They had life-sized versions of some of the cars, and a semi-trailer that they converted into a little movie theater where we got to watch a sneak peek of the new movie. I don’t know who was more excited, me or James.

 

Inside a vehicle, James and Stacy sit close together for a selfie. James on the left is wearing a red cap with cartoon eyes, blue sunglasses, and a camouflage jacket, seated in a supportive wheelchair with a harness. Stacy on the right is wearing oversized black sunglasses decorated with rhinestones and a bright green hoodie with a cartoon monkey graphic. The car interior and a few vehicles outside the rear window are visible behind them.
On our way to the Cars 3 Tour

 

A large outdoor display for the movie “Cars 3” shows Lightning McQueen racing on a wet track, with the event title “Road to the Races” printed above sponsor logos. In front of the display, James, wearing a red‑and‑black cap, blue sunglasses, and a dark jacket, looks upward with an open mouth, clearly engaged with the scene. Other people move around in the background.
At the Cars 3 Tour

 

Jeff, James, and Stacy pose in front of a life‑sized Lightning McQueen model from the movie “Cars.” James, in the middle, sits in a wheelchair, with Jeff and Stacy kneeling close on either side, all smiling for the picture. Next to Lightning McQueen is a yellow car from the same series, and a sign on the ground reads “Please Do Not Touch.” A trailer in the background displays “Road to the Races” along with sponsor logos.
Family photo with Lightning McQueen

 

James and a friend pose in front of a sleek gray car character from “Cars 3.” James' is seated in a red framed wheelchair, while his friend stands next to him and holds his hand.. Behind them, a large trailer displays the “Cars 3” logo and the release date “June 16.” The life‑sized car has animated eyes on the windshield.
James with one of his friends

 

Three life‑sized “Cars 3” character models are parked side by side outdoors: Lightning McQueen in bright red with racing decals, Cruz Ramirez in yellow and blue, and Jackson Storm in dark gray. A large trailer behind them displays the “Cars” logo and a June 16 release date. A few people, including a child and an adult, stand nearby taking in the display. The scene is set in a parking lot under clear blue skies, with a tall building and trees in the background.
A few of the stars of the movie

 

Inside a dark movie theater, a large screen shows promotional artwork for “Cars 3,” with Lightning McQueen racing through water alongside two other cars. The film’s logo appears on the left, and part of the word “June” is visible near the bottom. James sits in the foreground, silhouetted against the bright screen as he watches.
Sneak peek of Cars 3 in a semi-trailer that was converted into a movie theater