Alden was diagnosed with Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE) when he was three years old. By age five we were driving back and forth to Atlanta to see specialists, and he had his first orthopedic surgery that year. We knew MHE would be something he’d deal with throughout his life, but we didn’t realize then just how important some of the decisions ahead would be.
When Alden was eleven, an MRI showed a growth on his C2 vertebrae that was pressing on his spinal canal. We met with his doctors in Atlanta, and the initial recommendation was to wait and watch—to hold off on surgery unless he started showing symptoms. Something about that just didn't sit right with me. I couldn't shake the worry that waiting might be dangerous, and I felt that we needed another opinion.
I started researching on my own and eventually found the Paley Institute. I connected with Sarah there, and she helped us get in quickly to see Dr. Feldman. So instead of spending spring break at the beach, we spent it meeting with another team of doctors—and we’re so glad we did.
Dr. Feldman told us that waiting wasn’t the best option and that the mass needed to be removed sooner rather than later. He made it clear that we didn't need to wait until Alden showed signs of spinal cord damage to act. We scheduled surgery, and looking back, I truly believe that decision—and finding Dr. Feldman—saved Alden's life.
Today, Alden is a healthy 19-year-old at the University of Georgia, living his best life (Go Dawgs!). He has had several more orthopedic surgeries since then, and even though it's nearly a seven-hour drive, we still travel to see Dr. Feldman for follow-up care. Our trust in his expertise is unwavering, and we would follow him anywhere if it meant giving Alden the best possible quality of life.
- Jennifer
(Alden's Mom)
