I
was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was in middle school. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. We chose to "watch
and wait" and monitored the progression throughout my adolescent years. I
never wore a brace, but it was recommended. I took dance for most of my life
and I was in drill team throughout junior high and high school. My scoliosis
did not affect my ability to dance and it did not cause me much pain. Over
time, it became more apparent that my shoulders and hips were uneven. My
spine progressed into a double "S" curve and surgery was recommended
when I was 21 years old. I was finished growing and my scoliosis was progressing,
so I chose to do the surgery.
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| My Before Surgery X-Ray |
I
do not regret choosing to do the surgery, but I did have a lot of questions and
fears going into it. Would I look stiff with my metal rods and screws?
Would I be able to live a normal life? How much pain would I experience?
I
also knew that there were some very serious risks to having this surgery.
Overall, I felt a bit blind going into my first surgery. I had never even been
in the hospital before this for any other reason. I had so many questions and
all I wanted was to talk to someone that had been through this before. That is
why I am publishing this blog. I want to be a resource to help those that may have
to endure this "not so pleasant" experience. So if you have any
questions, feel free to ask! I can't guarantee I will know the answer, but I am
happy to share my personal experience.
I
am not going to sugar coat it, spinal fusion surgery is painful. I believe the
physical pain I endured helped to make me stronger and more appreciative of my
ability to run. Now that I am about to go through my second surgery, I am
trying to get mentally and physical prepared, AGAIN. My doctor encouraged me to
continue running and exercising to be in the best possible shape for
surgery. I'm sort of treating this like I would my half-marathon training. I am
working to build up my endurance to put my body through some major physical
stress. So the countdown is on for surgery #2 in December.
This is awesome!! Love the idea! There is a group on facebook called Ehlers-Danlos Support Group. I am sure that there are several in that group that would benefit from this blog. Maybe think about joining the group. I joined it to learn more about EDS after Cory was diagnosed by the ortho surgeon in Houston that did his second shoulder surgery last year. I have learned lots of great information from reading about what others go through. I am sure there are several that could use your blog about your experiences with this. Will be thinking about you and praying for you during the next several weeks. Stay strong!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keri! I will look up that group to join. They mentioned Ehlers-Danlos when I was at TX Children's, but they never confirmed if I had it or not. I had to be admitted early before my first surgery so that they could check my heart. They said the elasticity in my joints could have affected my heart or could have made me a good candidate for a heart aneurysm, but I was cleared for surgery.
DeleteHi there trisha. My name is kathy stockton. I'm friends of Brad and jannasa. My mom has severe scoliosis also and had spinal,surgery some years ago. She is 86 now and,still has pain but is in a wheelchair. My brother was diagnosed with it. He is 60. I also have been diagnosed. The docs,said mine is only at 11% now but will probably worsen as I get older. At the present time I don't have any back pain. I think for our family it is hereditary. I will pray that your surgery will go well in December. Although I am not suffering with this as of now I think your blog will be an encouragement to those who are.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Stockton. I am so sorry to hear about the effects scoliosis has had on your family members. I wish you the best and hope that you continue to be pain free. I certainly appreciate your prayers for my upcoming surgery.
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