After a nice hiatus away from the operating room, Jo is back on Dr. Kelly's schedule. She will have surgery on her right shoulder on Friday, December 5th. Jo's left shoulder feels tremendous. The bone graft that was implanted into her left shoulder has been an incredible success.
As Jo's left shoulder has gotten better and better, her right shoulder has started to deteriorate. About 45 days ago, she had shooting pains in her right shoulder for about 3 days. Dr. Kelly took some x-rays, but couldn't find anything. About 3 weeks ago, Jo started to have trouble with her range of motion. As of this morning, she can get her arm over her head, but it is not pretty.
Last week a CT Scan (or maybe it was an MRI) confirmed that Jo's shoulder has started to collapse and it is cracked. My first thought was that it is time for another bone graft just like the left shoulder. Unfortunately, the body does not take well to a second graft. Somehow, the body knows about the first graft and tends to reject follow-on grafts.
Dr. Kelly will be going into Jo's shoulder and again "cleaning out" any pockets of necrosis. Then she will install a "button" on Jo's shoulder bone that is supposed to prevent further collapse and give her back her range of motion. I'll have to find out the technical name for this surgery and get back to you on that.
For the next 70 days or so, we will baby that shoulder and try to prevent any further collapse. There is good news...nothing else hurts and Jo only goes to get her blood checked every two weeks.
1 comment:
Hi Jo and Tim!
I have discovered this blog for the first time tonight and and read through the archived posts with amazement at all you have been through. To refresh your memory, Jo, I (Valerie Crawford) was your and your mom's dance student in Lufkin in the mid-eighties starting from the time you were in the location prior to the studio you had when Susan took the school until about a year after your Miss Texas reign. Dance class was the highlight of my week, and you inspired me to want to become a professional dancer. Although I still love to dance, my life's path took me into other pursuits, and I'm now living in New York City working as a pattern maker in the fashion industry for a company that makes evening gowns that sell at Neiman Marcus and are worn by celebrities (you can see my work at www.marcbouwer.com - I made the patterns for most of the solid-colored gowns on the current home page). You were a major role model for me, and I've enjoyed Tim's blog comments on what an incredible person you are because I know that to be true.
My mom and I attended the Miss Texas pageant the year you won, and watching you compete and win will always be a special memory. There will never be another Miss Texas as wonderful as you, in my opinion, because your attitude and spirit are just as beautiful as your smile.
Overall, I think the greatest influence you had on my life was the good relationship you had with your mom, which was evident throughout the years I saw you interacting in the dance studio. I was so saddened to read of the loss of your father this March and know that you all must continue to feel that loss intensely. I remember your father as being a quiet presence in the studio and during the recital times, providing essential logistical help. My sympathy goes out to all your family as you continue to deal with that loss over these months.
Most of all, I find it hard to imagine the blow that Aplastic Anemia has dealt to you, especially with the incredible physical shape you've always been in with your dancing. I spent five months in 2004 helping care for a friend of mine who was 23 years old and underwent a stem cell transplant with intense chemotherapy for lymphoma. Then in 2006, I provided some help during the hospital stay of another friend who actually had Aplastic Anemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant for it. So, when I saw you had Aplastic Anemia, my heart just sank, because I knew a little something about how scary that diagnosis can be. I'm so sorry for all the losses you've experienced as a result of the condition. I'm also thankful that you have a compassionate husband to be by your side, a beautiful daughter to bring you joy, and a mother and mother-in-law who were able to come help.
I first found the Jo Thompson website in 2004, and I think shortly after that I saw you had posted a message about taking time off for family. Then this week I was thinking about you and thought I should check the site again. Wow, how much has happened. I'm thankful to hear you've responded well to the treatments, though still with some joint concerns and a surgery ahead. Thanks so much for being willing to post your experiences on the blog so people like me who've always thought you are one of the greatest people on planet earth can keep up with you.
My email is valeriecrawford@juno.com if you want it. I hope to check your blog more often now and see how you are doing. Thanks for being such a positive role model for me during my growing-up years. Your influence will always be part of my life.
Still Dancing,
Valerie
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