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  • Started a scoliosis blog

    Thought I would share a blog I created and have transitioned from being just about my surgery for family and friends, into a resource for others with adult scoliosis. I am aiming to focus on building a network of scoliosis adults in Michigan, especially the Lansing area. We have nothing that I have been able to find local or statewide that provides support. This forum does much of what a blog does, but I have found not everyone is comfortable with this large forum so I am sharing experience on the blog. I also posted a pre and post surgery picture.
    My husband did such a great job blogging through April during actual surgery and hospital stay. It was fun for me to read through his posts as like many of you, I didn't remember alot of it.
    It sounds like so many of us April/May/June surgery patients are starting to do really good. Such an awesome feeling!

    www.scoliosisthejourney.com
    Shari - 55 years old
    Pre-Surgery 62 degree thorasic curve with shifting.
    Post op 13 degree curve.
    Successful surgery 4/15/10, T3-L2 fused.
    2nd surgery to reopen incision 10" to diagnose infection, 5/18/10
    Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI - the late Dr. Harry Herkowitz
    www.scoliosisthejourney.com

  • #2
    WOW! Shari - how great!

    I can't believe your motivation and drive to put together something like that so soon after your surgery.

    You're amazing!
    Julie - 51 yrs old

    Dx'd 1973 - 43* thoracic curve / rotation
    Wore Milwaukee brace 1973 - 1979
    Pre-surgery: 63* thoracic / 52* lumbar curves


    Surgeries: P - March 16, 2009 - Fused T3-S2 with pelvic fixation
    A -April 14, 2009 - Fused L5-S1
    Achieved +70% Correction
    Dr. Khaled Kebaish, (and team) Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore


    Standing x-ray
    New Spine 03/19/2009
    New Spine Lateral 03/19/2009

    Comment


    • #3
      I enjoyed your blog and have bookmarked it under my favorites to return to often. Your picture of your back looks so good! Thanks for sharing your blog. It looks very professional and full of helpful links.
      Karen

      Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
      Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
      70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
      Rib Hump-GONE!
      Age-60 at the time of surgery
      Now 66
      Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
      Retired Kdgn. Teacher

      See photobucket link for:
      Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
      Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
      tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
      http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

      Comment


      • #4
        Excellent Shari. Your back looks fantastic.

        This is the sort of thing I would absolutely devour pre-surgery. I am sure it will be helpful to many.
        Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
        Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
        T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
        Osteotomies and Laminectomies
        Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

        Comment


        • #5
          Bookmarked, Looks great. The links look like they're going to be very helpful too - just did a quick sampling of the exercise links, for instance. Thanks!!!

          Yes, your back does look terrific, "after" - and so do you. Off the bat, working in hospitality doesn't sound like a back-friendly job. I'm sure it's a whole 'nother ball-game now, though!
          Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
          Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
          main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
          Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

          Comment


          • #6
            Very nice, Shari! Thanks for putting all of that helpful information together.
            Be happy!
            We don't know what tomorrow brings,
            but we are alive today!

            Comment


            • #7
              Shari--
              I'm impressed! That will really be helpful and your pictures look super! Janet
              Janet

              61 years old--57 for surgery

              Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
              Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
              Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
              Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
              T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

              All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

              Comment


              • #8
                This is what's great about this forum....you are all so supportive and encouraging. Thanks for the kind comments it encourages me to keep moving forward.
                Last edited by ShariMSU; 07-12-2010, 08:55 AM.
                Shari - 55 years old
                Pre-Surgery 62 degree thorasic curve with shifting.
                Post op 13 degree curve.
                Successful surgery 4/15/10, T3-L2 fused.
                2nd surgery to reopen incision 10" to diagnose infection, 5/18/10
                Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI - the late Dr. Harry Herkowitz
                www.scoliosisthejourney.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  Michigan

                  I am still hoping to find some others in Michigan, especially the Mid-Michigan area to connect and I would like to coordinate some networking and education events. So if you are out there visit the blog and send me an email. However, all are welcome to share in the information!! Thanks again for the support!
                  Shari - 55 years old
                  Pre-Surgery 62 degree thorasic curve with shifting.
                  Post op 13 degree curve.
                  Successful surgery 4/15/10, T3-L2 fused.
                  2nd surgery to reopen incision 10" to diagnose infection, 5/18/10
                  Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI - the late Dr. Harry Herkowitz
                  www.scoliosisthejourney.com

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Your blog is very well done and will be of help to many people traveling this scoliosis path. It is so helpful to read of others' experiences. Gives an idea of what to expect and where to find good info.

                    My daughter-in-law posted my surgery experience on CarePages if anyone would like to take a look.

                    http://www.carepages.com/carepages/GlendaGuess
                    Glenda
                    Age 66 Georgia (63 at time of surgery)
                    Bi-lateral laminectomy 2006
                    Kyphoscoliosis, approx 38* lumbar scoliosis, stenosis, disk herniations, lower back and hip pain, w/radiating pain, stinging and numbness in legs.
                    A/P fusion (T10-S2) 5/17/10 and 5/20/10
                    Dr Yoon, Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, Atlanta, GA
                    Pleased with outcome

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Great blog and your back looks great!
                      Age 56
                      Wore a Milwaukee Brace for 3 years in hs
                      Fused L4-S1 for high grade spondylolisthesis Jan '09 in Indy
                      Thoracic 68
                      Surgery Aug 31, 2010 T3 to L1
                      Dr Bridwell St Louis
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...1&d=1289881696

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Glenda, it requires an e-mail and password.
                        Be happy!
                        We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                        but we are alive today!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          It requires your e-mail. I believe you can set up an account and get to it. If you need my e-mail, its, gguess@comcast.net. If you can't get to it, let me know.


                          LATER

                          new info -- rohrer1
                          if you will PM your e-mail to me, I wil invite you.

                          anyone else who might want to go to the site, i'll need your e-mail.


                          Glenda
                          Last edited by gmw; 07-12-2010, 04:45 PM.
                          Glenda
                          Age 66 Georgia (63 at time of surgery)
                          Bi-lateral laminectomy 2006
                          Kyphoscoliosis, approx 38* lumbar scoliosis, stenosis, disk herniations, lower back and hip pain, w/radiating pain, stinging and numbness in legs.
                          A/P fusion (T10-S2) 5/17/10 and 5/20/10
                          Dr Yoon, Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, Atlanta, GA
                          Pleased with outcome

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Glenda - I had not seen Care Pages before. Your pages are wonderful and so many wonderful, supportive friends you have. It was nice to read your progress. You are doing so good.
                            Shari - 55 years old
                            Pre-Surgery 62 degree thorasic curve with shifting.
                            Post op 13 degree curve.
                            Successful surgery 4/15/10, T3-L2 fused.
                            2nd surgery to reopen incision 10" to diagnose infection, 5/18/10
                            Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI - the late Dr. Harry Herkowitz
                            www.scoliosisthejourney.com

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Thanks Shari. It worked out so well for my husband. It saved him many a phone call and e-mail and I enjoyed his reading all the comments to me from friends and family.
                              Glenda
                              Age 66 Georgia (63 at time of surgery)
                              Bi-lateral laminectomy 2006
                              Kyphoscoliosis, approx 38* lumbar scoliosis, stenosis, disk herniations, lower back and hip pain, w/radiating pain, stinging and numbness in legs.
                              A/P fusion (T10-S2) 5/17/10 and 5/20/10
                              Dr Yoon, Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, Atlanta, GA
                              Pleased with outcome

                              Comment

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