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Willow - Day 16 - off all meds

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  • Willow - Day 16 - off all meds

    She stopped taking the Tylenol yesterday not because she is completely comfortable now but because it doesn't help the general achy-ness she has as her body readjusts. I don't really know what she means by that. She has no more pain per se that is relieved by Tylenol though.

    Her balance is still a work in progress. Her body is still changing... the lower compensatory curve is straightening and her brain is trying to keep up with the readjustments. She still occasionally trips and I stand in front of her on down escalators just in case.
    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."

  • #2
    Day 16 and off all meds - wow ... that is fantastic!!!!!
    CAmomof2

    July 07 - T 26*
    Aug 08 - curve now 22*
    Sept 08 - SpineCor Brace (in brace 17*) Ste. Justine
    March 09 - in brace 14*
    Aug 09 - in brace 14* / MRI normal
    Feb 10 - in brace 18* - had an oob xray - now 35*
    June 10 Considered VBS T 32*, L 27* , Stopped SpineCor brace
    Sept 10 T 38*, L 26*
    April 11 T 45*, L 31*
    July 11 T 51*, L 37*
    MIS SURGERY - NOV 28, 2011 / Age 12 / Fused T4 - T12

    Comment


    • #3
      That IS fantastic news, Sharon!!!

      As for her statement about the meds not helping her general achy-ness, I think I actually know what she means. After my two c-sections, I took meds for a few days (it's been over ten years so I can't recall precisely how long), but then after that, the only aches I had was when I moved a certain way or did too much - and that wasn't the kind of thing the meds would have helped anyway, so I stopped taking them as well at that point.

      Hope that makes sense

      She's doing great - YAY!!!
      mariaf305@yahoo.com
      Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
      Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

      http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

      Comment


      • #4
        This is great great news. The Tylenol after opiates just doesn't cut it. Its like going from shots of whiskey to shots of beer. Why bother?

        The body is amazing in how it has to compensate after being hit by a freight train and being poisoned with chemicals. It will take a while to filter things out. Probably about a month.

        Willow will notice improvements quickly from now on. The jabs and the stabs will diminish in time.

        Sleeping is a good thing at her stage.

        Drums on drugs? Not a good combination...... LOL
        Ed
        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

        My x-rays
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

        Comment


        • #5
          Yes, I agree, being off all meds, she'll surge ahead, though that's what she's been doing since day 1, isn't it?

          I felt that achiness too at that early stage, I feel it was the rough handling that was required before/during/after the surgery and of course, the long hours lying on your face with your arms in that certain position. It wears off!
          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


          • #6
            What good news for you--it sounds like she is recovering remarkably--tough kid!
            mamandcrm

            G diagnosed 6/08 at almost 7 with 25*
            Providence night brace, increased to 35*
            Rigo-Cheneau brace full-time 12/08-4/10
            14* at 10/09 OOB x-ray
            11* at 4/10 OOB x-ray
            Wearing R-C part-time since 4/10
            latest OOB xray 5/14 13*
            currently going on 13 yrs old

            I no longer participate in this forum though I will update signature from time to time with status

            Comment


            • #7
              Fantastic news Sharon!!

              Hope this continues!

              I still have a problem with balance on escalators. lol I am over a year and 1/2 post op! lol But I am not exactly balanced. Anyway, hope her recovery still goes smoothly!
              Diagnosed in '06'
              Wore TLSO brace for 18 mo.
              Upper curve 40 degrees; lower 35 degrees
              Surgery in March '08' (T6 - T11)
              Rods for 7 vertabraes; 3 fused
              Still have lumbar curve (T12 - L4) of now, 33 degrees
              I have osteoarthritis, 3 bulging discs, stenosis, fast progressing lordosis, vertebrea twisting (vertebreas almost on side) all in lumbar spine. Will most likely have another surgery to extend rods and fusion. :'(

              Comment


              • #8
                Great news Sharon!

                Mary Lou
                Mom to Jamie age 21-diagnosed at age 12-spinal fusion 12/7/2004-fused from T3-L2; and Tracy age 19, mild Scoliosis-diagnosed at age 18.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Congratulations to you both!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I'm so happy to hear the update Sharon! It really amazes me how in teenagers, the compensatory curve can 'fix itself.' I am in awe.

                    What is the current plan for Willow going back to school?
                    __________________________________________
                    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


                    • #11
                      Hey Debbe,

                      The plan was that she would return to school full time on Monday which is Day 20. She was in no real pain and was catching up with her work.

                      At the homecoming dance last night, a friend hugged her and pulled her forward, resulting in pain just below the fusion. It bent her forward about that point. I think either the disc or the vertebrae or both were injured. She is back on Tylenol and is uncomfortable with doing stairs. She is able to sit comfortably and do work for hours, though.

                      As for school work, she has midterms. She has some work to finish.

                      The new plan is to stay home Monday and complete the work. That probably would have happened had she not been injured.

                      She will go back on Tuesday, take the midterms, and stay in school as far as we can tell at this point. Sucks that she will be on pain killers and still in pain for the midterms.

                      I have emailed the surgeon to ask him what we can expect. I hope this heals quickly. Poor kid.
                      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


                      • #12
                        Oh Sharon, the poor baby! I swear, hugs should be outlawed for a year post op. I'm STILL warning people when they go in for the hug---'easy on the hug, remember the back'! I hope it's nothing and she feels better shortly.
                        __________________________________________
                        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


                        • #13
                          Thanks, Debbe.

                          I have been crying and actually nauseous over the incident, two non-productive reactions but I can't help it. The poor kid was doing so well and working so hard.

                          I really hope this resolves soon.

                          I'm sure I'll feel better after talking to the surgeon tomorrow. I wish it was tomorrow already.

                          sharon
                          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


                          • #14
                            Ugh, Sharon - I'm so sorry to hear about this incident. I think you will feel better after you speak to her surgeon though. Please let us know what he says - and hang in there - you've been through a lot and will get through this as well!
                            mariaf305@yahoo.com
                            Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
                            Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

                            https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

                            http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Wow, Sharon, I'm so sorry that Willow was injured by a hug. That's totally rotten and I hope she recovers very quickly. I also want to say that I know how you feel and that I can imagine crying over a setback too. But you are so strong and such a survivor!

                              I want to wish you all the best of news from the surgeon tomorrow.
                              Last edited by laurieg6; 10-26-2009, 12:17 AM.
                              Laurie

                              Mother of Alexander & Zachary:
                              Alex is 16 years old and in the 11th grade. He has congenital scoliosis due to a hemivertebrae at T10. Wore a TLSO brace for 3 1/2 years. Pre-op curves were T45 & L65; curves post-op are approx. T31 & L34. Had a posterior spinal fusion from T8 to L3 on 7/12/07 at age 12. Doing great now in so many ways, but still working on improving posture.
                              Zach is 13 years old and very energetic.

                              Comment

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