Day 80 - How To Remove A Halo!

Day 80 started with Jan still in her halo and vest. This is the last picture taken of her in it. We arrived at 3:45PM for the 4:15PM appointment. Registration was really quick and we had hoped to be back home quickly.

The doctor was running late due to a surgical emergency. Did I mention we spent two hours in the pediatric neurosurgery waiting room with children all over the place. She, literally, was the last patient he saw.

After the meet and greet, he started showing her the latest images. We pretty much knew what they showed and so did you reading this. The doctor then tried to show her the old images but could not pull them up. I offered to let him borrow my CD, which I conveniently had with me.

A nurse interrupted and Jan noticed she had a cervical collar with her. That made Jan smile as the doctor stepped out of the room to speak with her. When he returned, he then proceeded to explain the report and to compare the images. The statement we were looking for was announced, "The report doesn't seem very positive but it is healing nicely."

Jan was ecstatic! Then he said we just need to wait for the wrenches to which I said I've got them right here! Then he said she would be getting a collar and I produced the one we brought with us. He was starting to think I was reading his mind.

First, he removed the bolts that connected the halo ring around her head to the brackets that are supported by the bars. Now she was wearing a vest that was ready to come off. Her head was slowly tilting backward and the nurse braced her.

Then, they put the collar on her to help her keep her head up. She wasn't thrilled with it but she was just happy to not have the halo on anymore.

Finally, the doctor and his assistant removed the ring around her head by working at opposite corners and loosening the pins together. Funny, that's how I said it should have gone on! They held the ring in place until the last pin was removed and lifted it off of her head! The left front pin looks quite deep but the right one looks like it might actually heal without too much of a scar.

Yes, day 80 ended without a halo!