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Finally after 2 years, surgery scheduled!

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  • Finally after 2 years, surgery scheduled!

    Hi Everyone!
    I have been on and off here for almost 2 years now. I was going to have this surgery back then, but my health insurance at that time did not cover me. Now, I have the PCIP insurance launched by President Obama for people like me with no insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions. This health plan covers my surgeries, yes, 2, anterior and posterior.
    My Dr. is Dr. Pashman and I am schedule for December 9th and 13th.
    I can't believe that finally I will correct my horror of curves 90+ and 50+. My fusion will be T2 to pelvis. and I'm 32 years old.
    My only concern is that I'm a grad student and I have to be back at school January 24th. That means I have to be able to drive by that time, I think is 5 to 6 weeks. I hope I'll be ready by then cause I cannot lose my financial aid.
    How long did it take you to go back to drive and resume normal activities with a long fusion like this? Dr. Pashman told me that I will be able to drive by 6 weeks. I hope he is right...
    Pilar
    Scoliosis Diagnosed at age 12. Wore Milwaukee brace for 2 years.
    Now age 32
    Pre-op curves: C86-T98-L37
    Surgery date: 12/6/2010 (anterior) 12/10/2010 (posterior)
    Fused T2 to L5 with thoracoplasty.
    Post-op curves: C48-T47-L17
    Dr. Robert Pashman
    Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
    Before and after xrays :
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...5&d=1292969215

  • #2
    That's wonderful that you can finally do the surgery & insurance will work for you! I know it was much later than that for me to drive but I'm older too. That sounds pretty aggressive to be able to do all of that so soon but youth is in your favor. Hope all goes well for you! 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


    • #3
      I can only reiterate Janet's post. So happy for you but with a twinge of concern about the driving at 5-6 weeks, but as Janet says, you have youth on your side. The very best of luck. I have often wondered how you fared after your attempts to get the surgery years ago.

      Let us know how you go, won't you!
      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


      • #4
        Hi Guys!,
        Thanks for your replies! Yes, I have attempted to get heath insurance for about a year now, and I was denied one, two, three, and more times. I think I have folder full of denied coverage letters from various insurance companies. My only hope came after the health care bill passed. I pay a premium every month and I have a coverage that will not drop me when I need it the most! That's how it should be! So I am very happy about that...
        As soon as I told Dr. Pashman about my new status, he move around dates and schedule me for December. Anyways, now I have 3 more weeks of waiting and trying to get as healthy as possible.
        Scoliosis Diagnosed at age 12. Wore Milwaukee brace for 2 years.
        Now age 32
        Pre-op curves: C86-T98-L37
        Surgery date: 12/6/2010 (anterior) 12/10/2010 (posterior)
        Fused T2 to L5 with thoracoplasty.
        Post-op curves: C48-T47-L17
        Dr. Robert Pashman
        Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
        Before and after xrays :
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...5&d=1292969215

        Comment


        • #5
          Best of luck with your surgery and recovery. Youth is a huge benefit. I'm sure you'll be happy with your results.
          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


          • #6
            Pilar
            good luck with your surgery
            Kara
            25
            Brace 4-15-05-5-25-06
            Posterior Spinal Fusion 3-10-10
            T4-L2
            Before 50T
            After 20T

            Comment


            • #7
              Pilar

              Glad to see that the insurance thing worked out.

              I was driving at 6 weeks after I was off meds. My driving started out slowly with short trips....fatigue is a factor, but you are young.

              I believe JDM John was back in school 3 weeks after his surgery which was a posterior. He was about 19 yrs old at the time of his surgery.

              Did you ever post x-rays? I’m sure Dr Pashman will get a pretty good correction with you. You will probably gain about 3-4 inches in height.

              You have large curves and I think you are making the right decision.
              Ed
              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

              My x-rays
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

              Comment


              • #8
                Pilar,
                So glad to hear that you now have insurance to get your surgery done. I was driving at three months, once I was off of the oxycontin. You are so much younger than myself, so I would expect you to be healing much quicker and driving sooner. I hope it all works out for you,
                Sally
                Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
                Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
                Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
                Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
                New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
                Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

                "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

                Comment


                • #9
                  how wonderful is hearing that!! congrats to you and mr obama!!
                  Your life´s gonna chage after surgery, you will see!!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Pilar,

                    I remember when you had to cancel due to the insurance issue. Thank God for the political changes that allow you to finally have your much needed surgery.

                    Like others said, you are much younger than I was too, so maybe your recovery will be quicker. By 6 weeks, I was driving short distance around town, but in no way ready to work a full day! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

                    Keep your attitude positive. I'm convinced that's one thing that really helped me with my recovery.

                    Good luck and let us know how you do.
                    __________________________________________
                    Debbe - 50 yrs old

                    Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                    Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                    Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                    Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                    Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                    Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                    Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Thanks, everyone! you are wonderful people!!!
                      Scoliosis Diagnosed at age 12. Wore Milwaukee brace for 2 years.
                      Now age 32
                      Pre-op curves: C86-T98-L37
                      Surgery date: 12/6/2010 (anterior) 12/10/2010 (posterior)
                      Fused T2 to L5 with thoracoplasty.
                      Post-op curves: C48-T47-L17
                      Dr. Robert Pashman
                      Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
                      Before and after xrays :
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...5&d=1292969215

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Pilar,that is wonderful news that you have insurance now and can have the surgery.You are in good hands with Dr.Pashman.Wishing you a speedy recovery.
                        Aug.17,09 Anterior
                        Aug.20,09 Posterior
                        Fused T-10 to Sacral Pelvis
                        Cedars-Sinai
                        Dr.Pashman

                        Sheri 47 years young
                        Husband married 30 years
                        3 kids 29,28,25
                        4 grandkids 10,8,5,3

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Sheri,
                          How long until Dr. Pashman lifted your restrictions, such as driving and working or normal activities?
                          Scoliosis Diagnosed at age 12. Wore Milwaukee brace for 2 years.
                          Now age 32
                          Pre-op curves: C86-T98-L37
                          Surgery date: 12/6/2010 (anterior) 12/10/2010 (posterior)
                          Fused T2 to L5 with thoracoplasty.
                          Post-op curves: C48-T47-L17
                          Dr. Robert Pashman
                          Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
                          Before and after xrays :
                          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...5&d=1292969215

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Pilar,I wore a brace for six months and I didn't drive for three months.At my 3 month appt.he said I could pretty much do anything as long as I had my brace on.I did not really push myself until Dr. Pashman released me at 1 year other than walking alot.
                            Aug.17,09 Anterior
                            Aug.20,09 Posterior
                            Fused T-10 to Sacral Pelvis
                            Cedars-Sinai
                            Dr.Pashman

                            Sheri 47 years young
                            Husband married 30 years
                            3 kids 29,28,25
                            4 grandkids 10,8,5,3

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Congratulations on your surgery date. I have the same fusion as you but are much older. I was driving at 6 Weeks but just short distances. As others have said , you have your youth going for you

                              Melissa

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