STOUGHTON - Caitlynn Goudy, who would rather be called Caitie, has been through a rough three years, but she refused to be negative.
Goudy is a 14-year-old student at Stoughton Central School and the daughter of Alissa and Kevin Goudy.
In September 2019, Goudy did not feel well. She had severe stomach pain and was admitted into the Arcola Health Centre.
On Sept. 12 of that year, Goudy would find out that her spine had an S shape, which was caused by a growth spurt.
Goudy was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. It affects girls eight times as often as it does boys.
There are three types of the condition that will cause the spine to develop an abnormal curve
Goudy would be fitted with a Boston brace for the next two years. The brace is a plastic body jacket used in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. The brace wraps under the arms and around the rib cage and hips to cast the spine in a straighter position.
Over the next two years, it showed that this brace was not helping. Without surgery her spine would continue to curve. This would also affect her breathing and other organs.
COVID hit, things closed down and surgeries were delayed, as this was the only other option Goudy would have. An operation was finally booked.
Just before her surgery, her aunt Mona Elek organized a parade to go down the street that Goudy lived on. The parade had family, friends and community members supporting her. Signs were made, which brought Goudy to tears, and still causes them today.
“It was a great feeling and the outpour of love from our community and surrounding area was so wonderful,” she said.
Surgery would take place on May 9, 2022, in Saskatoon at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital with her parents at her side.
Dr. Allen, who is an orthopedic surgeon, would perform the five-hour operation to repair Goudy’s spine.
They would place a halo on Goudy’s head and pins in her legs. Goudy would be stretched to straighten her spine, placing two titanium rods and 17 titanium screws to hold her spine in place.
She would remain in Saskatoon for six days. Once she was able to get out of bed, she would be allowed to go home.
“The first days are pretty foggy, but I do remember it was very painful,” she said.
Goudy would now be on the road to recovery, which would take one year.
The Goudy family home needed some safety measures to ensure she would not slip or fall.
Last November, Goudy was even on a radio-a-thon which is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, talking about her journey. The interview was played throughout Saskatchewan.
Now a year later, Goudy is feeling great and still remains positive. She feels that remaining positive helps with recovery.
“I want to help people to spread awareness about scoliosis,” she said.
June is Scoliosis Awareness Month and something she is passionate about.
Although she was frustrated at times, she realized that she was strong and that things would get better.
“Others have hard times, and they will make it, as everyone has hidden battles,” she said.
Goudy will return to the surgeon this month to find out if things are the way they should be, and she is feeling pretty confident that they are.
