Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Two years post-op and still improving... YAY!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Two years post-op and still improving... YAY!

    Hey folks-- it's been awhile since I've done much posting... just wanted to say that I'm still getting stronger and more able all the time, so those of you fresh out of surgery, please don't despair if it seems like you're never going to get your life back. With some it doesn't take as long. I just figured after awhile that I was going to be fairly limited yet better off after having THE SURGERY. At one year post-op I thought "oh well..." Now I'm starting to think that those limitations aren't going to be so bad after all. I have just survived a VERY BUSY time and got through it just fine-- I'm tired, a little sore, but perfectly fine and feeling like I can conquer the world (if it's my kind of world, anyway!)

    May and June included these activities: finishing up my year at school, including inventory of ~14,000 books, etc., youngest DD's college graduation, oldest and middle DDs' first babies' births, a one-week trip to NH to see the out-of-state grandbaby, and a flurry of activity for our youngest DD's wedding with over 200 guests, held in our "garden" and then a local reception where we did all the decorating, etc.--actually, everything except for the catering and making the cake(s). Plus had around 15-20 houseguests and relatives hanging out here for several days. At one year post-op, there would have been absolutely no way I could have done all that. At two years it worked out fine. I'm sure with each year's passing things will get easier and better as long as I don't overwork those lower and upper unfused areas.

    The main reason I'm posting this is to let some of you know that there is hope for continued recovery and rebuilding of strength. I'm the proof. Heh heh. I have progressed from looking like a hunched over little old lady taking tiny insecure steps (shortly after surgery) and very gradually building back to someone who looks "normal" for the most part. Yes, I still have some limitations-- but so do other people with other things. I know when to ask for help when I really need to ("can you please pick that up for me? I have a problem getting down...", how to pace myself, when to push and know I am probably not overdoing, and when to say NO to myself or others, when it could actually be a problem to continue.

    When I get some good pics I will post a few of me with the two grandsons and at the wedding. I even did a little dancing with my hubby. As for trying to get those nylons/pantyhose on-- I abandoned the thought even though I bought some and thought I could manage. The day was just too hectic and my daughters had all told me it was silly since I was wearing a dressy sandal and "no one wears nylons anymore" and it was "way too hot to even consider it". I listened to them and would have run out of time anyway-- With the two babies crying, their moms trying to get into their bridesmaid/matron of honor dresses and do their hair, the one's dog barking to match the babies' noise, and bunches of extra people in the house (and I mean bunches-- probably about 30 people came in to use the bathroom after their long drives here... anyway, it just wasn't high on my priority list. I actually forgot to put my earrings in but no one noticed. (Or so I hope!) About the time I woulda/shoulda been putting on nylons-- and was getting dressed, was when my hubby appeared in his tux pants with about an extra yard of fabric to them. They had given him size 46 pants when his normal size is a 32. Yikes! Fortunately he had a pair of black slacks that looked fine, so it was ok. Anyway, the wedding and reception were beautiful, we had a wonderful time with the new grandsons and their parents staying here, and it was super to visit for a few days with the out-of-state relatives too. I'm still cleaning up a little, the newlyweds are here for a few days after their honeymoon (opened their gifts, etc.) and pretty soon I'll get some real R'nR time.

    Next on the agenda is a road trip to New Hampshire. Then school starts back up Aug. 7th... a whirlwind summer, but I'm able to do it. Life is good!
    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

  • #2
    Hi Susie,

    I did notice that you have not been around lately, your post was so encouraging. It is so nice to read how well people are doing after their surgeries, it gives us hope to see that soon we will be there also! Congratulations on the grandchildren and the wedding sounded so beautiful.

    Keep feeling well and get some rest!
    Dolores A
    June 4, 2009 Anterior L3 - S1
    June 8, 2009 Posterior T4 - Pelvis
    Mark Agulnick, MD FAAOS
    NY Spine & Scoliosis Center

    Comment


    • #3
      Wow, Susie -- I got tired just READING your post!!!! You must be ahead of me because really, no way could I have done all that without turning into a whiny wreck..!! But then again I do know that adrenalin sometimes takes over when you have exciting things going on...and you collapse AFTERwards.

      I'm very happy for you, that you're feeling so much better and stronger. It's hard to be patient, but it does pay off. Keep up the good work and best wishes for continued family joys.
      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


      • #4
        Congrats Suzie! You're doing great, obviously! I hope you're going to get some time to catch your breath before the trip you have planned.

        When I first came to this forum, stunned and terrified, you were among a few wonderful posters who gave me hope and strength. Thank you!

        It's great for those facing this surgery to know that life does return to normal, sooner for some than others, but eventually, it does! Enjoy your Summer!
        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


        • #5
          Wow! I had the same thought as Chris--getting tired just thinking of it all! Very amazing and I'm so pleased for you and all these special events that you were able to handle. Janet
          Janet

          61 years old--57 for surgery

          Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
          Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
          Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
          Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
          T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

          All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Susie,

            Thanks for the uplifting post. I am glad to hear you are doing so well. I was looking through your photos, and the before/after are amazing. I am wondering, did the docs ever give you a measurement on your pre-op lumbar curve?

            Take care and enjoy your summer!
            Gayle, age 50
            Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
            Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
            Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


            mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
            2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
            2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

            also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

            Comment


            • #7
              That was a great post to read since I'm on the slow recovery road. Thanks for sharing!

              Always Smilin'
              Colleen

              1982 fused T2-L1
              pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
              pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

              recheck 2006
              right thoracic 57
              lower lumbar 34

              surgical revision April 28,2009
              revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
              unsure of degrees at this point

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks, everyone for your encouraging comments. I guess I just wanted people to know that even after quite a bit a time goes by you may still see marked improvements with even more time... At one year post-op I was pretty much resigned to thinking that this was "it"-- and was pretty content although maybe a little disappointed. The main thing was that I was stabilized so wouldn't continue to get worse, and I was a ton straighter as well. But now I can see how much better I am at two years. Yay!

                LeahDF-- I think I'm an oddity in that I never had x-rays taken before the first one shown (in the links in my signature) on my page that says "pics of x-rays" (or whatever)... I DO know that when I was a teenager some friends said my spine was cool-- and showed me, drawing with their finger, how it wasn't straight. And my dresses didn't hang straight. Then at 27 a doctor mentioned that I had scoli. Age 54 was the first time I actually sought out medical help for my back. My family doctor sent me to an orthpedic surgeon who took those first x-rays and then referred me to a scoli specialist in Chicago, as if it had been ONLY scoli, he might have continued with me, but knew that with the lateral listhesis (the stair-step or sideways shift problem at L2-L3) and the major lumbar stenosis, it was out of his league. The Lord is good. I got the help I needed and I consider myself a success story, even if I'm on the turtle track for recovery. That doesn't mean I never have aches related to the surgery. They're just not terrible and not that often-- and other non-scoli people have back aches too. Anyway, that first specialist gave my lower lumbar curve a cobb angle of 28º I think. My scoli doctor didn't measure it or my upper thoracic one. I know my major curve changed by about 6º in less than 2 years, so I think the other two may have also. It was getting pretty painful to do my work and other things. And yes, I think the before and after pics are pretty amazing, even though my angles are not "that bad" compared with many on the forum.
                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


                • #9
                  congrats

                  Susie,

                  So glad to hear that things are going great. It's nice to know and encouraging to hear that things can only get better. Especially when one has those days where you just don't feel right....like today for me. Congrats on so many milestones in your family. Busy Busy Busy! Any one would be exhausted after all of those events taking place. Keeping on gettng stronger, take care.
                  Susan

                  Diagnosed at 10, Boston brace from 11-13 yrs old.
                  50* Lumbar w/ 5 centimeter shift to the left and slight rib hump...
                  Surgery Date: April 15 and April 22, 2009
                  X-LIF approach for disc repair L5,L4,L3,L2
                  Posterior Approach for fusions L5-T5
                  Dr. Fox @ Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
                  Nice and straight now!!!!!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Susie,

                    I am so happy for you to know that you have been able to enjoy your life and your family happy times so much more than you would have been able to before your surgery. You are an inspiration to me because in some ways I am a slow healer also even though I have been able to enjoy my sport of roller-skating. I still have pain issues and it is so good to know that things can keep getting better and better as time passes. I can't wait to see the wedding pictures and some more baby pictures. I hope by the time you get to New Hampshire that the weather will improve for your visit. We are just a little tired of the rain here in the North East, but count our blessings we don't have tornadoes.

                    God Bless, 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


                    • #11
                      Glad to hear your excellent report, Susie--I've been wondering how all your events were turning out. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

                      Mary Ellen

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Congratulations on everything!

                        It's amazing how this surgery gave you back your life.
                        Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                        No island of sanity.

                        Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                        Answer: Medicine


                        "We are all African."

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks all. I feel very blessed. The Lord is good.

                          And yes, Sharon, I "got my life back" in a sense. But I really hadn't lost it till I was in my 50s. I may have had scoli since I was young, but it didn't bother me any-- not even enough to see a doctor or for others to actually notice, as with my 3 curves I was really pretty straight. I was able to do everything I wanted to until recently.
                          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


                          • #14
                            Susie,

                            WOW I got tired just reading your post! It's just incredible. I'm so happy that you seem to be doing so much better. And it's right in time for all these big events! I can't wait to see pics of you with the babies. You must be in all your glory with 2 grandbabies so close!
                            __________________________________________
                            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


                            • #15
                              New to website

                              I recently discovered this website. I'm 55 years old, and have had three back surgeries in less than one year. First one, Apr 08, fusion from T2 thru S2. Lots of screws, hooks and long rods! Second surgery, Nov 08, was removal of the clamp that held the rods together, located about T4. Third one, Mar 09, was revision of T3, which had fractured due to large screw. Replaced with smaller screw, removed about 4" of rods, and more donor bone to help it fuse. It had never fused, apparently. Any way, I'm recovering quite well, actually. I call any of my discomfort (pain) as healing pain, that way I can keep a positive attitude about all this!

                              Lesley
                              Les, Biker Babe, age 56 (at time of first surgery)
                              Fused T2 to S2, posterior only, 8 Apr 08
                              T3 fracture repair and revision, Mar 09
                              Broke left lower rod and pelvic screws removal, Dec 09
                              Scheduled to remove all hardware, replaced everything instead due to non-fusion, Nov 10
                              Remove top 2" of rods and screws, Feb 14
                              Pre surgery degrees: L40, T45
                              Post surgery degrees: L8, T10

                              Happy, joyous and pain-free!
                              Surgeon: C Timothy Floyd, MD, Boise Orthopedic Clinic

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X