When Hattie first felt her back hurting in March 2019, her parents didn’t think it was anything serious. However, a scan in October that year revealed a significant curvature of Hattie’s spine.
Diagnosing scoliosis, Hattie’s paediatrician referred her for further investigation and a consultation at The Portland Hospital with Mr Lucas.
Visiting The Portland
After Hattie’s initial appointment and an MRI scan, it was clear her scoliosis would require surgery to correct and control it. In order to help them prepare, Hattie and her parents were invited to visit The Portland.
The first of these visits was to meet the physiotherapy team, who spent time showing Hattie how to loosen her muscles. Then, at the pre-operative assessment two weeks before the procedure, The Portland nursing team took her on a welcome tour of the hospital.
“The team were so welcoming and lovely”, says Hattie’s mum, Anna. “They became like Hattie’s adopted family.”
Preparing for surgery
Hattie and her family arrived at The Portland the day before Hattie’s surgery. Once Hattie was settled in her room, Mr Lucas popped by to visit. He talked about the procedure in more detail, before leaving to Hattie rest while watching her favourite programme, Friends.
The day of the operation
On the morning of Hattie’s operation, Mr Lucas stopped by to say “hello” and make sure Hattie felt as comfortable as possible. Shortly afterwards, Claire the anaesthetist escorted the family to the lower ground floor, where Hattie was given her anaesthetic.
Hattie was incredibly brave before her surgery and, while her mother and father were understandably nervous, they were ecstatic when they returned to The Portland later that day. “The Clinical Nurse Specialists were there to welcome us”, Hattie’s mum remembers, “then Mr Lucas came by to tell us the operation had gone even better than expected - Hattie was already wiggling her feet and toes. I was so relieved I burst into tears!”
The day after surgery
Hattie remained in hospital for the next four days to help with her recovery. During this time Mr Lucas visited every morning and kept the family updated on her progress.
In fact, Hattie’s progress was so impressive that the day after the operation, Mr Lucas felt she was ready to move from her bed in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to sitting up in her temporary wheelchair. With the promise of chocolate ice cream as an incentive, she tried some gentle arm-assisted movements, neck turns and shoulder rolls with the help of physiotherapist Maria.
As they had done from day one, The Portland staff helped put the family’s mind at ease. “Hattie was transferred back to the ward mid-afternoon,” Hattie’s father, Russ, recalls. “Two of the staff from the PICU popped down to visit and said everyone was already missing Hattie and us – it was so sweet!”
Hattie’s positive influence
Despite recovering from major surgery herself, Hattie made a big impact , and was also helping other young patients. “The Clinical Nurse Specialist asked her if she would be a mentor to other children as she had such a positive mindset,” Russ says. “She talked to two other children who had undergone the same surgery.”
Getting ready to go home
Hattie’s final morning in hospital started with a much-needed lie in. Then, as Hattie and her family saw her post-operative X-rays, they were overjoyed. “Seeing how straight her spine had become was amazing!” remembers Anna. “Maria helped Hattie with stair-based physio, and gave us some invaluable advice on caring for Hattie at home. I got really emotional and cried when she said goodbye!”
There was, however, one more surprise to come from The Portland’s nursing team. Anna takes up the story… “The clinical team came to shower Hattie and give us some spare dressings and advice. But when they measured her, we discovered she’d gained 9cm – growing from 5’1” to over 5’4”!”
Looking ahead with a new lease of life
Since arriving home, Hattie now has much confidence in herself and was able to go surfing without experiencing any pain whatsoever. Her next plan is to ride a rollercoaster.
Hattie loves her scar too. “It shows the journey of what she’s been through”, says Russ, proudly. “She says it’s her best attribute. She even has it as her profile picture on her Instagram account. The surgery has had such a positive effect on Hattie,” he continues, “we’re eternally grateful to Mr Lucas and The Portland team.”
