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  • MAJOR milestone

    Let the record show that I just painted my own toenails!! It can be done!!!!

    [strains of the Hallelujah Chorus in the background]

    !!!!!
    Chris
    A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
    Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
    Post-op curve: 12 degrees
    Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

  • #2
    Whoo hoo, Chris! That is major!!! My next goal is to be able to put on pantyhose for my daughter's wedding in June. We shall see... I still have to use my sock aid for my socks, so I'm not sure. Part of my problem is arthritis in the hip, so it's not all from the surgery, but I just don't bend at all. Maybe I can paint my toenails by then too... it's a garden wedding, so a little less formal.

    Anyway, I'm both proud and elated for you! Way to go!!!
    71 and plugging along... but having some problems
    2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
    5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
    Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

    Corrected to 15°
    CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
    10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

    Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

    Comment


    • #3
      Very Impressive!!

      Chris,

      Way to go! Toenail painting is a very impressive accomplishment. I'm not sure I will be able to equal your ability to "self paint". My husband and 14 year old son have offered, however, their lack of quality control, bad jokes and the amount of tickling I have to endure make it for a less than special moment. Fortunately, my friends and "other" family members have been generous with gift certificates to help my toes twinkle.

      Congratulations!

      Linda
      Linda
      Two-stage A/P fusion T6-S1 with lumbar implants June 12 & June 27, 2007 at age 57
      S curve 75+ degrees with kyphosis
      Now 45 degrees and standing 3 inches taller!
      Dr. Frank Rand, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Singer View Post
        Let the record show that I just painted my own toenails!! It can be done!!!!

        [strains of the Hallelujah Chorus in the background]

        !!!!!
        YEAH!!!!!! You go girl! I'm sure you will have beautiful toenails all summer.
        __________________________________________
        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


        • #5
          Woo-hoo, Chris! Pick you up one of the Pedi-Egg things with the handle, and no stranger will ever molest your feet again (unless, of course, you *want* them to ;-). Congrats on one more step back towards life as usual ... after a long period of "not usual" being sort of usual.

          Linda W, I'm LMAO at "lack of quality control" ... that's hilarious ;-).

          Pam
          Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
          AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


          41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
          Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
          Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


          VIEW MY X-RAYS
          EMAIL ME

          Comment


          • #6
            ...Life's simple pleasures aren't always so simple. I'm so very happy for you! It's encouraging news for someone like me who is still awaiting surgery. I know I will be paying for pretty toes for quite a while. I'm in the stage right now where I"m making sure I appreciate every little thing that I'm afraid I'll never be able to do again. Good for you!
            -Jo

            Diagnosed at age 12
            Milwalkee Brace worn Faithfully 1971-1977
            Posterior Fusion T-9 to Pelvis- April 28, 2009
            Dr Frank Rand, NEBH, Boston

            Comment


            • #7
              Good job!!!! I actaully cut mine other day and thought that was cool!! (I think Im triple joined!-ha ha ha) I was just thinking, wouldnt it be nice to have cute toenails for spring? Maybe I will talk my husband into painting mine today!!! What a cool mile stone!!
              Lynn -30.... something
              DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
              At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
              At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
              Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
              UW Madison, WI Hospital
              **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

              Comment


              • #8
                Thank you all!
                Chris
                A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

                Comment


                • #9
                  Chris,
                  Good for you! I am so happy for you. I was very happy the first time I cut my own toenails and then a few weeks later painted my toenails (clear polish since there definitely was a lack of quality control. 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


                  • #10
                    Congratulations! I'm very jealous. Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough. I just can't seem to get the right angle or position to cut/paint toenails or tie my sneakers. I still tie them first & then put them on. =( any secret to it???
                    Jenn
                    37 y/o female
                    60 degree lumbar
                    45 degree thoracic
                    1st time anterior/posterior surgery May 8th and 10th 2006
                    T 5 to S 1
                    NYC

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Congratulations! It's wonderful to hear these milestones of our surgery sisters and brothers.

                      I look forward to the day I can say the same...but think it's a way off yet.
                      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


                      • #12
                        From what I understand Ed has his painted in OPI's new Spring collection called Kinky In Helsinki!
                        Lynn -30.... something
                        DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                        At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                        At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                        Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                        UW Madison, WI Hospital
                        **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hi Summer -- To reach my toes, I put my foot on a low-ish chair and just kind of squat and lower myself down to it, keeping my back pretty straight -- then use whichever hand reaches best to get to the toes. It's a slap-dash job but looks fine from a distance. I suspect it strains the fusion a bit but I'm fast.

                          Before I arrived at this method, I tried crossing one leg over the other (couldn't reach), lying down and bringing my knee up to my chest (still couldn't reach), and everything inbetween.

                          It's amazing to me how much more flexible and limber I am as the weather warms up. It's like night and day.
                          Chris
                          A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                          Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                          Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                          Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Way to go!! Great news like this give a lot of hope.
                            Congrats and keep up the good work!!
                            _____________________________

                            Diagnosed at 9, Boston brace during teenage years
                            56* left thoracolumbar curve, slight rib hump
                            Deciding on timing for surgery

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              My method for cutting and polishing my toenails is to sit on my bed and bring my foot up onto the bed beside me. That way you can flex your foot to get your toes closer to your hands. It's worth a try.
                              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

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