24 Hours and Counting

[First Mate]

Hi Everybody,
I have 24 hours to go before my surgery! I feel like my back and I have been struggling with this scoliosis thing off and on for 55 years and I am more than ready to do something about it!
I plan to do everything I am told to do in the hospital but I am apprehensive about going home--starting with the ride home. I've been noticing the bumpy roads latey. Some of the bumps hurt my back now and I can't imagine what it will be like after surgery. I am also not looking forward to needing so much help once I get home. I keep telling myself how lucky I am that my children are grown (four married boys--six grand kids and another coming in Oct) and that my husband and I are retired--a big plus from what I have been reading.
I want to thank you all for your advise and espically "Dr. Rand's girls"--they have been just wonderful to me.
To be honest I am looking for good thought and prayers to come my way tomorrow morning. There are so many kind and caring people on this forum.
Thank you all,
Kathy

[mgs]

You have my prayers!! I am 3 weeks out, today, from my surgery. I had an hour ride home, with lots of bumpy and "under construction" roads. The pillows made it doable, plus I loaded up on my prn pain meds about an hour before leaving the hosp.

Good luck and God bless!!

[johnsonbunch]

I had 1 1/2 hr ride home. We took the middle seats out of the van and I crawled in and onto the back bench seat. I laid on my back in my brace with the seat belt around me and my legs bent. It was pretty comfortable. The first ride sitting in the front seat several days later killed me. So if you have access to a van, I'd suggest it.

Added: I left the hospital after 5 days.

[Doodles]

I had a 7 hour ride home divided up over 2 days with frequent stops. Lots of pillows and front seat flat. It was probably my 16th day when we left since I was also in rehab for 8 days. It took a while to get things adjusted and a few stops; thought we'd never get out of the city let alone home. I was on lots of meds still so slept most of the time after that. Hopefully, after surgery, your pt people will talk about in home nurses and p.t. people to check on you. I found that very helpful and hadn't known about it until afterwards. Very best of luck to you, Kathy. I know you'll do fine; it just takes time! Janet

[dolores a]

Hi Kathy, My prayers will be with you for a successful surgery and speedy healing! You should think about your ride home, hopefully not too far from the hospital. Mine also was not pleasant, my husband was acting like I was having a baby, he was so nervous he got lost kind of coming home. My ride home was in a ford pick-up truck, the really big one, needed a step stool to get in (which thank god they thought to bring). I sat in the front passenger seat with the seat reclined all the way down. It was so good to get out of that truck and into my bed, it was like heaven. Also, I was given pain medication about an hour before I left the hospital, so that helped a bit.

[cudacrazy72]

Good Luck and my prayers are with you. Its been 7 years since my surgery's and I feel that I am still recovering.

God Bless and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[loves to skate]

Hi Kathy,
Everyone has given you good advice about the ride home. My ride was about one hour and there were plenty of potholes in December. I reclined in the passenger seat of an Avalon. I don't remember too much about it thanks to the medication. You are and will be in my prayers tomorrow.
Sally

[cudacrazy72]

I only had maybe a 15 - 30 minute ride home and it was no fun. The Nurses wanted to get the Ambulance to take me home. Since it wasn't that far my wife just wanted me to ride in the car. :eek:

[JenniferG]

Thinking of you Kathy! You're almost there.

I didn't come home until day 19 so my 1.5 hour trip was fine but my partner brought plenty of soft pillows and we laid the seat back in the Honda Accord. The relief to be out of hospital and heading home, made everything else seem bearable.

[Jimbo]

Hope you have a swift recovery and great correction.

[debbei]

Good luck Kathy, I will be looking for an update from you!

On my ride home (1.5 hrs), I had a pillow under me, and a pillow behind my back. I held onto the door on my right side and my husband's arm on my self so that I could 'brace myself' when there were bumps. A friend picked me up in his cadillac because he had the smoothest riding car of anyone we knew. Make sure you take your meds RIGHT before you leave the hospital.

[jrnyc]

Hi Kathy
those good thoughts & prayers you want for tomorrow will be coming to you from many people...i will say a prayer tonite for your successful surgery, a smooth ride home, & positive healing with no surprises...many prayers from many others will follow!

you have made the right decision...now it is in the hands of your higher power & your doctors....

best of luck...
jess

[First Mate]

Thank you all so very much for sharing your experiences and for your kind words and prayers---I know they will help.
Kathy

[titaniumed]

Kathy

You will do just fine. Medical technology has come a long way over the years!
Just remember, your in good hands.

Ed

[valleygirl]

Wishing you the very best. I'm a little bit behind on posts as I am only 10 days post-op. You had your surgery yesterday and I'm thinking you are on heavy meds right now to make you comfortable. The worst is over, but I'll keep you in my prayers.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible when you get home.

[Davidl]

I had 1 1/2 hr ride home. We took the middle seats out of the van and I crawled in and onto the back bench seat. I laid on my back in my brace with the seat belt around me and my legs bent. It was pretty comfortable. The first ride sitting in the front seat several days later killed me. So if you have access to a van, I'd suggest it.

Added: I left the hospital after 5 days.

My name is David and I had some questions. I am considering surgery and have seen several Doctors. Dr. Castellvi and Dr. Billys at Fl. Orthopedic. I am 53 yr. old and have about 67 degree thoracic and not sure about the lumbar around 53 degrees. Some doctors have told me they wouldn't suggest surgery and some have said it is my decision but, they say it will get worse as I age. I also have a rib hump. I am wondering if I should have surgery, and will it help me. Dr. Billys told me it would help me and I would probably be pleased with the results. He didn't really speak of the downside. I think Dr. Castellvi tried to discourage surgery. He said you know you could die, or you could be paralyzed. He told me there is a 40% to 50% chance I could have problems. He sounded scary. Could you give me some advice? Would you do it again? What about Dr. Moreno? Were you pleased? I am not sure if it is worth the risk involved> Appreciate any advice. Thanks

[hdugger]

I'm not the local expert (my son has scoliosis and has not had surgery) but a 40 to 50% chance of serious complications sounds very, very high to me.

As someone who spent years seeing an orthopedic surgeon who did not specialize in scoliosis, I would strongly recommend finding a Dr. who's on the list at the Scoliosis Research Society. You can search at the link here - http://srs.execinc.com/edibo/PublicDirectory.

[sccrm08]

I was told 50% chance of a minor complication and 1% chance of a major complication.

Hope this helps.

[JenniferG]

David, I had the surgery at age 57. My thoracic curve was 68 degrees. My surgeon scared the living daylights out of me too, telling me of all the things that could go wrong. But they have to tell you these things. You need to know because the responsibility is yours, for making the decision.

I can tell you that my surgery went great, my only hiccup was withdrawals and dizziness from 6 weeks. Now at 7 months, I am 100% and painfree.

It's true that there are many complications but most are very rare. You need to weigh up the pain you're in and what the future holds without the surgery. All surgery carries a risk. Good luck in your decision making and ask any questions you think of. There are lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here willing to help you along the way.

[jrnyc]

Hi David....
i sent you a private message...

i am considering surgery...for now, i get help from pain management doctor....including injections for pain relief...

best of luck
jess

[ADMoul]

Have you read the book on scoliosis surgery by David Wolpert? Clear, concise and very informative. A great resource for anyone considering this surgery.
Anne

[Davidl]

I'm not the local expert (my son has scoliosis and has not had surgery) but a 40 to 50% chance of serious complications sounds very, very high to me.

As someone who spent years seeing an orthopedic surgeon who did not specialize in scoliosis, I would strongly recommend finding a Dr. who's on the list at the Scoliosis Research Society. You can search at the link here - http://srs.execinc.com/edibo/PublicDirectory.

I'm finally learning how to use this site. Just now seeing these threads.Thanks for the advice. I am not going back to the Dr. Castellvi in Tampa who told me 40% to 50% chance of complications. When I went to see my latest doctor, Dr. Cronen in Tampa (who trained under Lenke in St. Louis), I told Dr. Cronen what Dr. Castellvi said and Dr. Cronen said, maybe a 40% to 50% with him, but not with me. Appreciate everything.

[Davidl]

I was told 50% chance of a minor complication and 1% chance of a major complication.

Hope this helps.

I haven't been told of a 50% chance, except by Dr. Castellvi in Tampa, but I will ask my current doctor, Dr. Cronen in Tampa. Thanks

[Davidl]

David, I had the surgery at age 57. My thoracic curve was 68 degrees. My surgeon scared the living daylights out of me too, telling me of all the things that could go wrong. But they have to tell you these things. You need to know because the responsibility is yours, for making the decision.

I can tell you that my surgery went great, my only hiccup was withdrawals and dizziness from 6 weeks. Now at 7 months, I am 100% and painfree.

It's true that there are many complications but most are very rare. You need to weigh up the pain you're in and what the future holds without the surgery. All surgery carries a risk. Good luck in your decision making and ask any questions you think of. There are lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here willing to help you along the way.

Sorry, I am just now seeing this post. My thor. is 67 to 72 deg. and lum. 50. My main problem is not constant pain, although it comes and goes, but rather the doctors tell me it will get worse. Do I wait and think about surgery when I'm much older and more curvature? When it will be harder on me. Another thing is I presently have good insurance, and have approximately 8 and a half months that I can be out of work and still get paid. In about a year and a half I will loose this time and may not be employed and will also be paying for my insurance, which presently doesn't cost me much. I have alot to consider. Thanks for the advice. David

[Davidl]

Have you read the book on scoliosis surgery by David Wolpert? Clear, concise and very informative. A great resource for anyone considering this surgery.
Anne

Thanks alot Anne, just now saw your thread.

[Shari]

Hi Kathy,

You will be in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Hope we here from you soon,
Shari

[titaniumed]

David

Good to see you posting!

Welcome to the forum
Ed