Well worth it!! 6 mos postop

[RitaR]

So sorry, haven't posted in for what seems like forever. I hope this finds everyone still hanging in there. Those of us who are lucky enough to have this behind us - GOOD FOR YOU! So proud of you!!! Those of you who are still waiting for the surgical approach - keep hanging in there. It seems like an indefinite wait and I know how long it gets and believe me I know how much you are hurting, but try to keep your chin up. It's a long haul, I won't paint a pretty picture, but it's not one you can't handle. We're all in this together. I'm doing great pretty much anyways. Ha! REally. My left leg weakness is way better, stairs are not as much of a problem. That was from such a horrible degree curve 96 deg! Yikes! ANd, I still have some of the numbness, tingling, burning, but that's all part of it, Dr. Lenke says. And, I trust him completely! I have lots of numbness, pretty much the whole back and sometimes have a lot of shoulder pain, but it just depends on the day. But, I wouldn't change a thing - best thing I could have ever done for myself. And, with all the scrunching of things inside me, heart, lungs, etc. I didn't have a choice. So, everyone keep a stiff upper lip and I'm saying Hello to all the ones I remember from way back when......HELLO!!!!

[loves to skate]

Rita, I am glad to hear you are doing so well. Recovery can be a long slow process for some of us, but even if we still have some residual pain, it is so good to have our life back and is definitely worth having surgery.
Sally

[LisaB]

Good to hear you're doing so well!

[debbei]

Rita,

what a wonderful update. I agree with you 100% I recently had my 2 year post op anniversary, and have been thinking that I feel better than I ever could possibly have imagined.

Just know that as good as you feel now, you will continue to improve!!

[titaniumed]

Hi Rita

Its nice to hear that you are so happy with your surgery...it must be such a relief after all the pain you were in.

We are very lucky that we have great surgeons that can fix us up. I’m so thankful everyday!
Ed

[doodie]

Hi Rita!!

What a great update! I'm so happy to hear of such positive recovery stories. I have to agree with you...I too am feeling sooo good - I just never truly believed it was possible because it had been such a long time since I really felt like myself. Now, post-surgery, I am way better than I was before the surgery - no pain and tons of energy and my brain feels clear as I don't have to deal with that chronic pain every moment of every day! What a relief!!

Hey, I'm flying home to Kansas today (dad in hospital in Wamego) I can't wait to see the landscape there - I've been so homesick for it lately! Virginia is beautiful but you can't see anything for all the trees in the way! hehe

Thanks for your encouraging words too for those still waiting for their surgeries! I know how these kinds of posts kept me focused on the prize at the end....
Take care!

[Vali]

Hi Rita, when i didn't see you post for a while, i was hoping that it was because you were doing well and moving on with life. So glad to see that everything is great. Best wishes for a continuing smooth recovery.

[JenniferG]

Congratulations Rita. I hope the shoulder pain eventually disappears, as so many of these things do, with time. However, it sounds like you're very happy with your outcome. <thumbs up>

[Doodles]

Rita--
Good to hear from you and that things are basically going quite well! I hope your recovery continues in a positive way! Janet

[golfnut]

Rita,
Thanks for posting. I'm always happy to hear good reports from those who have been through the surgery (especially if Dr. Lenke was their surgeon)
Keep up the good work with your recovery.

[Debra JGL]

Rita, So happy to hear such a good update. You had such a huge curve reduction, you must really feel like a new person. One of my biggest worries too was my curves impact on my lungs (the scrunching up), so for me too it's a big relief to feel like I don't need to worry about that anymore. Good luck on your continued recovery!

[RitaR]

Thank you all. So good to hear from you all again. I can't tell you how much your posts have meant to me - from way before my surgery - during surgery when my hubby would read bedside - to recently when I finally found time from 2 jobs to post again. But, I continue to improve every day. Keep up the great work and encouragement for everyone.