Miriam went to visit Dr. Williams today to check on her recovery. They took another X-ray, which showed that all of the fluid that had collected in her chest cavity is gone. Dr. Williams also estimated that the angle in her back caused by her scoliosis has dropped from above 45 degrees pre-surgery to about 7 degrees now. All of her bandages are off, except for a small band-aid covering the scab left from her chest tube. She can resume taking showers and playing as much as she has the energy to do.

She has been weaning off pain medication, but still needs some here and there to cope with her soreness. She is still cautious about climbing in and out of chairs and bending down, but overall is moving much more freely than a week ago. Her devices make some visible lumps in her back, and there is one prominent lump on her front where the rib that moved the most in the adjustment has pushed forward. Dr. Williams is sure these cosmetic issues will diminish as her body grows. She is still tiny (only 36 inches)!

We will return for another follow-up in six weeks, and he anticipates her first expansion will take place in August. Overall he is very happy with the success of the surgery and with how well she has recovered. We are very grateful for these things, too!

Miriam continues to get cards and packages almost every day. Thank you so much to all of you who have sent her something! She and her sisters know they are loved by friends all over the country and the world (and so do we)!

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