*edited to add we are on an Emergency Life Flight do to complications post op.

Our daughter Lily is beginning a serious medical journey to treat her severe scoliosis. Her doctors have recommended a special treatment called Halo Traction, which will help stretch her spine before her final correction surgery.

On April 7, Lily had a back surgery to remove the rods the hardware and screws. Lily has had two rod replacement surgery before, because she's outgrown the magec growingrods.

Also, she was placed in halo traction, which will stretch her ligaments and muscles to allow for a better correction and a greater degree of straightness. The metal "halo" come with 8 screws that are drilled directly into the skull. Once the halo is secured, that is when weights are placed. It is 40% of the weight of person that is used with fully system to pull the back, ligaments, muscles as a stretch.

Lily will spend six weeks in halo traction for 23 hours a day. She is allowes one hour without weights. The six weeks is to encourage the body and spine to move into alignment.

Lily has many complex issues with her spine. Many of her bones are fused together and even missing vertebrae and ribs. So much is happening to her body.

After this six week period, she will have a second surgery. This is when she will have not one but TWO growing rods surgically placed. This surgery is scheduled for May 19th, to place a new set of "magic rods"—rods that telescope and grow with her. The exact date to go ho.rwill be determined with recovery in the hospital for a week post op.

All this will help give her long-term spinal stability and hope for growth@ it is our pray that Lily will begin to see her body grow stronger and with height. She is on growth hormones so with more room we pray her body will begin to sprout taller. At age 9 Lily is the size of a 4 or 5 year old. Her height is a point of frustration because she is a roller-coaster lover and hopes to do to Disney to ride bigger rides! #goals

During this journey, I (her mom) will stay in Salt Lake City with Lily, while her dad will work part time and stay at home to care for our other children (8 boys!!!) . They will all work together to juggle work, household duties, and school. Yep, it will be a huge balancing act.

How can you support Lily's surgery?

Spiritually: Considering to dedicate prayers for us daily. With prayers we can see Lily stays healthy, she gets a good out comes for surgery. Pray for peace and happiness over the whole family. And pray God provides for the bills that come in. Physcally: You can show us with grociers or a meal. You can visit LILY in Salt Lake. Emotionally: write a card for lily. Facetime us! You can provide a SMALL toy or gift for comfort and joy for emotional support. OR Give: You can give and share our gofundme with your friends or at church.

We do have insurance! There will still be medical costs and many moresupportopportunities over these months. (Extras include: medical expense relief, family support, living support, Salt Lake City travel support, and homeschool support, food support, arts and crafts support. Family visiting support.)

Thank you for continuing to pray and help not make medical debt something we have to stress about. Life is awsome. Debt is not.

People can give as they feel led, and if they wish, they can note exactly what they'd like their gift to be used for—whether medical costs, travel, or homeschooling.

Additionally, if anyone would like to give a special gift for Lily—such as stuffed animals, dolls, or balloons—these small joys help lower her stress and bring her comfort during this difficult time. We are so grateful for everyone who has read this far and for all the prayers, love, and support.

Bless you all!

We thank God for each one of you!