lots of questions! please help

[gayle]

ok im getting really nervous at the fact my surgery is in 2 weeks.i went today to get a full massage to relax and kindof forget everything.well the soothing music and background effects it had that is suppose to make you relax made me want to cry.is that normal? or am i just way to paranoid about this surgery?also im wondering if deep tissue massage is good for scoliosis or does it do harm? my shoulder blades are kindof sore.they had me in one of those massage chairs and also the massage therapists worked on my back.

[Cena75]

Hi Gayle,
It sounds to me like the crying is probably nerves....which is natural. I've gone to massage therapy for over ten years off and on. It was recommended to me by one of my old specialists, so IMO I don't think it can harm scoliosis at all. I works on the muscles and tissues, not the bones. Deep tissue massage does hurt, especially when your ligaments and muscles are tight, like they are in many of us with scoliosis. I was usually sore afterwards, but felt really good after that passed. There is a difference between deep tissue massage and relaxation massage too (the later doesn't tend to hurt as much,and is more a pressure rubbing than deep finger work).
I found that when I was nervous before my surgeries, I liked to be surrounded by lots of people - family and friends. I went to the movies, out for dinner, stuff like that. Take care and please feel free to ask questions - that's why this forum is so great!

[lelc2002@yahoo]

gayle---I can so relate to your feelings!!! I have not forgotten how hard it was a couple weeks prior to this surgery... I never thought I'd crash but I did within the 2 week mark....inhale,exhale slowly! I woke up every morning at 4am for the last mth before....caught Jay Leno's opening -re broadcast at that time & it helped a bit to laugh....watch a good movie that you love...I watched The Bells of St. Mary's with Bing Crosby --although the nun(can't thk of the actress's name..) does get sick in the end but it's still happy..-corney but I love that movie...plus I watched some comedies & a couple of comedians tapes...paul reisner live tape is real funny.....I went on several trips before hand..
the weekend before surgery was real tough...I had surgery on a Tuesday & Sunday was real rough for me...my husband knew I was falling apart so we had a Barb-Que & great meal in the backyard(it was July) & he made me a Manhattan or 2(never had one before that)...it worked wonders...I'm not recommending it but I was good after that! Stay cool-we're routing for you! Lynne
http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com
about the back rub---I did'nt have one on my vacations before hand, although everyone wanted to treat me...my back was too ugly & deformed...but good for you!!!

[gayle]

i am so sore now, my ribs hurt and everything.im just ready for this surgery to be over with.what about vacationing? did anyone go on vacation 6 months after their surgery?like maybe a weekend trip to the beach.

[lelc2002@yahoo]

gayle---I'm going to NYC for my first wkend trip(lots of walking!) this Feb....& then Florida for a week this April(I'll be a bit over 7 mos post-op by then) I'm excited!!! Ly

[Theresa]

Gayle,

After my A/P surgery in April 2004 I flew to Sedona, Arizona from Houston, Texas for my daughter's wedding in August 2004! I was 4 months post op! We stayed in Sedona for about 10 days. We rented a house for the time we were there. I also took the train ride that goes to the Grand Canyon and back. It was alot of fun. I didn't walk that much, because at the Grand Canyon we then went on a guided bus tour. We would stop at different locations and get off to take pictures and look at the view. I was in bed very early each night, watching tv, and laid down a few times during the day. I had my pain meds and muscle relaxers also to help. I wasn't going to miss her wedding for nothing. In fact, if you go back and read alot of my old posts, you will also see that at 4 weeks post op I was at her graduation from law school. Luckily for me, she was in the first half to graduate, I then went home with my husband, everyone else stayed, and rested up for the celebration dinner.

[Shari]

Hi Gayle,

I can't answer your massage questions, but the crying thing I can. It seemed like for me the closer the surgery got, the more emotional I got. I know it was fear that came in tears.

I didn't want to talk about it, I guess to keep from thinking about it. But when people would find out and start to ask me questions, I had to fight the tears and walk away.

When I wasn't wroking or keeping myself busy at home, I found myself crying at times. It's perfectly normal to be scared, you are not alone, even though you think you are. We have all been there!!!

The anticipation is sometimes just as bad, if not worse than the actual surgery.

Shari

[bsprings]

Gayle-
So many of us know how you feel! It is kind of overwhelming the last 2 weeks before surgery. I talked to freinds alot-kept busy-I did take a weekend vacation to the mountains but can't say I enjoyed it much. I found just being with friends and staying real busy was the best therapy for me. Just think, in 2 short weeks it will be over with! I am 6 weeks post op and doing fine-you will do great too. I am surprised at how quickly I am feeling back to normal. I'll be praying for you!!
Cathie

[Lesly]

Gayle,
I think we all can relate to what you're going through. Hang in there.. you'll be just fine! The two weeks before my surgery were during Christmas and New Years. I thought this would be horrible, because I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy the holidays. But it was actually the opposite. The timing ended up being great, because I was so busy that I didn't really think about it. My family knew not to ask me questions or bring it up, because I would get upset. I can't say I didn't have a few breakdowns.. of course i did! I think I had the first (and a few after) anxiety attack I ever had. it was scary!
I am now 3 weeks and 1 day post-op. I can honestly tell you that the anticipation was MUCH worse than anything else. Even with a few minor complications while in the hospital, the experience was good. While you're in the hospital, you will be taken care of. I was actually (in a weird way) sad to leave! I don't really remember much about the first couple days or the bad stuff that happened.. and now I'm at home feeling great. It's amazing to see how fast your body heals. I'm feeling so much better. And I was told to measure week to week (and not day to day). This was the best advice I was given. Every day is different- and definitely up and down. But if I think about where I was this time last week there is significant improvement. It's exciting!
Best of luck to you... try to stay as calm as you can and think positive. Our mental state really has a lot to do with how we feel physically...so keep on putting good thoughts into your head!
Keep us posted... I will be praying for you!
Lesly

[Linda G]

Gayle,
I totally understand what you are feeling. The doctor gave my some xanex which helped alot with the nerves and so I could sleep. If you feel you need it just ask. They will not withhold any meds from you because they understand what your experiencing. Surgery is not something we look forward to but you will be ok. Dr. Shelokov and his team are wonderful. I really don't remember much of the first 3 days but after that I just kept getting better and better each day. Now I am so glad I did this. They will manage your pain and it really is not as bad as our minds tell us it will be. If I can do this well at my age then you will do even better. If you want to call me feel free to do so. Do you still have my phone number? I am out and about most days-either rehab or at the rec center walking but if I am not here I will return your call.
Linda G.

[gayle]

thanks for all the replies.i know this forum is a great support system.at the moment i seem to be doing fine but i know days before surgery i may freak out again..lol.im going to hate being away from my kids even for a day.my back seems to feel worse everyday and i feel like my insides are being crushed.im not sure if im just exagerating or not.did anyone tell that your back was getting worse as time came for surgery?

[mouna]

Gayle
I'm with you all the way. My surgery is schedulded for Feb 14. 2 kids , 11 and 13. Feel really positive, but yes, this last road is a long one. I haven't told v. many people up to now, and today was tough. It's all normal I'm sure...

See you on the other side...

[lelc2002@yahoo]

G- about the kid thing...I was in tears thking I would'nt see them for at least 2 weeks or more...but while in the hospital, I was so out of it...I did'nt really think about them until the end of my stay...by rehab I could'nt wait to hold them....Ly