Hi Everyone,
I've been following the forum on and off for more than a year - had a very hard time getting the okay to post and finally just gave up. I recently was able to get in touch w/ golfnut who encouraged me to try again - now it's working. If there are others out there who have tried and tried and given up, now is the time to try again!
I had successful surgery w/ Dr. Lenke in August. You all must know that there are many of us out there who are learning from your posts, even though we have not been able to post ourselves. I was able to prepare for surgery by searching for posts that dealt w/ my questions (re traveling, etc). I was also able to get to know Shari@msu from her blog., meet w/ her, and benefit from her encouragement and wisdom.
I was diagnosed w/ scoliosis when I was 12, and had a fusion when I was 14 that didn't involve any hardware, but two tibial grafts, one attached to each curve. In the last few years (I am 57 now), it was clear that my curves were progressing (thoracic 91, lumbar 86). I had a very good quality of life and was very active, but did feel the results of lumber stenosis w/ leg weakness after being on my feet for about 20 minutes. Thankfully, my local orthopedic specialist referred me to Dr Lenke, and I took the leap about 15 weeks ago. My fusion is from T1 to sacrum, and my curves are now in the 50's. A remarkable outcome considering that Dr. Lenke had to essentially cut apart the fusion I already had, and start over. I am happy to say that I feel 100% recovered by now, and can stay on my feet as long as I like w/out feeling like I'm about to collapse!
I know that the decision to have surgery can be agonizing. The preparation is nerve- wracking. The surgery itself is extremely challenging. But it's nice to know that there are those of us for whom it was absolutely worth it all!!
I am looking forward to being able to communicate w/ you all now - but maybe I will be able to answer some of the questions I was hoping to ask a few months ago!
The link to my blog was posted by golfnut a few days ago (Nancy's surgery blog), and I'll try to put the link in here as well. If you are anticipating surgery, you may enjoy reading what my day to day experience was like - my husband was quite good at describing his ordeal as well!
Cheers to all,
Nancy
http://nancyssurgery.blogspot.com/[/URL]
I've been following the forum on and off for more than a year - had a very hard time getting the okay to post and finally just gave up. I recently was able to get in touch w/ golfnut who encouraged me to try again - now it's working. If there are others out there who have tried and tried and given up, now is the time to try again!
I had successful surgery w/ Dr. Lenke in August. You all must know that there are many of us out there who are learning from your posts, even though we have not been able to post ourselves. I was able to prepare for surgery by searching for posts that dealt w/ my questions (re traveling, etc). I was also able to get to know Shari@msu from her blog., meet w/ her, and benefit from her encouragement and wisdom.
I was diagnosed w/ scoliosis when I was 12, and had a fusion when I was 14 that didn't involve any hardware, but two tibial grafts, one attached to each curve. In the last few years (I am 57 now), it was clear that my curves were progressing (thoracic 91, lumbar 86). I had a very good quality of life and was very active, but did feel the results of lumber stenosis w/ leg weakness after being on my feet for about 20 minutes. Thankfully, my local orthopedic specialist referred me to Dr Lenke, and I took the leap about 15 weeks ago. My fusion is from T1 to sacrum, and my curves are now in the 50's. A remarkable outcome considering that Dr. Lenke had to essentially cut apart the fusion I already had, and start over. I am happy to say that I feel 100% recovered by now, and can stay on my feet as long as I like w/out feeling like I'm about to collapse!
I know that the decision to have surgery can be agonizing. The preparation is nerve- wracking. The surgery itself is extremely challenging. But it's nice to know that there are those of us for whom it was absolutely worth it all!!
I am looking forward to being able to communicate w/ you all now - but maybe I will be able to answer some of the questions I was hoping to ask a few months ago!
The link to my blog was posted by golfnut a few days ago (Nancy's surgery blog), and I'll try to put the link in here as well. If you are anticipating surgery, you may enjoy reading what my day to day experience was like - my husband was quite good at describing his ordeal as well!
Cheers to all,
Nancy
http://nancyssurgery.blogspot.com/[/URL]
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