Just wanted everyone out there to know that I count you as a true blessing in my life. It's amazing how much encouragement I receive when I read your posts. I am thrilled for those of you who have been showing us your amazing before and after pics! You look so great!!! And it helps me out when I see others sometimes have their "down" days. Otherwise I would think it's just me. And how much it's meant to read about the body image issue. Dumb me! I didn't realize till last spring how deformed I was. That's what happens when you have an extra 25 lbs. of body fat, plus scoli that isn't real obvious. My neck to tailbone alignment was only about an inch off, and cover that with non-form-fitting clothes and voila!, nobody noticed. Last spring, almost time for the surgery, was when I realized for the first time how pronounced it was all getting to be. I had never looked at myself bent over in a mirror before to see the much higher side... And bra straps. I never thought about my bra problems being associated with my scoli. When I was 20, I had surgery for melanoma and that included the removal of the lymph nodes from my right armpit. I just thought it was because of that. BTW, I'm a right shoulder purse wearer.
I guess what I want to say is that you all have made me feel that there are so many others going through similar ups and downs of scoli: questioning things, making plans for surgery, dealing with fears, accepting the whole situation, anticipating pre-op, op, and post-op times, moving on to recovery, and then getting on with life, despite any setbacks that might occur. And through it all, most of us seem to have good times where we feel positive about our decisions and outcomes, and other times when we wonder what the heck is happening to us, how long recovery will take, and will we ever reach the point of being "better".
I don't respond to many of the posts because I don't have any advice or information for some of you. But I do soak in your situations and pray for the best. I know I will continue to think of so many of you and your situations, as I think of all that I'm thankful for this week. And, of course, I am thankful my surgery is over with, I'm almost 2 inches taller, and oh, so much straighter than last year! To the many of you with upcoming surgeries, please know that I'll be praying for you and wishing you all the best.
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Your scoli sis, Susie
I guess what I want to say is that you all have made me feel that there are so many others going through similar ups and downs of scoli: questioning things, making plans for surgery, dealing with fears, accepting the whole situation, anticipating pre-op, op, and post-op times, moving on to recovery, and then getting on with life, despite any setbacks that might occur. And through it all, most of us seem to have good times where we feel positive about our decisions and outcomes, and other times when we wonder what the heck is happening to us, how long recovery will take, and will we ever reach the point of being "better".
I don't respond to many of the posts because I don't have any advice or information for some of you. But I do soak in your situations and pray for the best. I know I will continue to think of so many of you and your situations, as I think of all that I'm thankful for this week. And, of course, I am thankful my surgery is over with, I'm almost 2 inches taller, and oh, so much straighter than last year! To the many of you with upcoming surgeries, please know that I'll be praying for you and wishing you all the best.
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Your scoli sis, Susie
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