Hi there. Just wanted to let you know that i have survived the enormous surgery (3 surgeries, really) to straighten my scoliosis.
The first surgery was on Oct. 7 fusing my thoracic area.... 5 incisions one right under each other in my right ribs, deflating the lung, etc to reach the front portion of the spine in that area. Bone marrow harvested from the iliac crest.
Second surgery was Oct. 10. Anterior lumbar... 10 inch vertical incision from above my navel down to pubic bone.. more bone marrow harvested from the other iliac crest. this incision was about 7 inches long..
Third surgery was Oct. 13, Posterior.... This incision was huge.. stretching from just below my shoulders all the way down to my bottom...I was not expecting this one to be so big... i thought just the lumbar area would be worked on posteriorly, but apparently all from thoracic to sacrum were worked on at that time...and bone marrow harvested yet again from iliac crest....
I wound up with 10 incisions all together, looked like a giant zipper in my back with metal staples all the way down ... hubby lost count in the 70's...lol.. The nurses in the hospital would be a bit pushy wanting me to get up and walk and go to the restroom on my own, etc. ( which i did as i was told )... but after they learned the extent of the surgeries, would come back to my room and apologize saying they didnt realize what i'd been thru.
I dont have much appetite, and hubby says he thinks i've lost at least 30 lbs... wish i could keep it off for good... have been thru some depression, but i know that's to be expected too...Gradually easing off the pain-killers and muscle relaxants now.
Some days i get so frustrated that i'm not making the progress i would like to, but then i read this forum and realize that patience is half the battle....
Thanks for the support and valuable information that i've always found here. Great to be back...
The first surgery was on Oct. 7 fusing my thoracic area.... 5 incisions one right under each other in my right ribs, deflating the lung, etc to reach the front portion of the spine in that area. Bone marrow harvested from the iliac crest.
Second surgery was Oct. 10. Anterior lumbar... 10 inch vertical incision from above my navel down to pubic bone.. more bone marrow harvested from the other iliac crest. this incision was about 7 inches long..
Third surgery was Oct. 13, Posterior.... This incision was huge.. stretching from just below my shoulders all the way down to my bottom...I was not expecting this one to be so big... i thought just the lumbar area would be worked on posteriorly, but apparently all from thoracic to sacrum were worked on at that time...and bone marrow harvested yet again from iliac crest....
I wound up with 10 incisions all together, looked like a giant zipper in my back with metal staples all the way down ... hubby lost count in the 70's...lol.. The nurses in the hospital would be a bit pushy wanting me to get up and walk and go to the restroom on my own, etc. ( which i did as i was told )... but after they learned the extent of the surgeries, would come back to my room and apologize saying they didnt realize what i'd been thru.
I dont have much appetite, and hubby says he thinks i've lost at least 30 lbs... wish i could keep it off for good... have been thru some depression, but i know that's to be expected too...Gradually easing off the pain-killers and muscle relaxants now.
Some days i get so frustrated that i'm not making the progress i would like to, but then i read this forum and realize that patience is half the battle....
Thanks for the support and valuable information that i've always found here. Great to be back...
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