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  • Home from July 1 surgery

    Hi everyone. This board has been such a wonderful source of information and support for me this past year. I have yet to post but felt since my daughter Becca is now home from surgery four days ago it was time to share my story and provide information to others that are now in the position I had been.

    I first noticed Becca's curve in May of 2008 and had her X-rayed in June. In July we met with Dr. Paul Sponseller at Hopkins. Her curve was around 50 degrees and we decided to wait and observe and then return for another Xray in March 2009. Her curve was then 55 degrees so we felt pretty confident our best move was the surgery. Most importantly Becca was up for it (her feeling was it was necessary although she was bummed out at home much it might screw up her summer fun). At the end of June we went for the pre-op visit and at this point her curve was 61 degrees, a 6 degree increase in 12 weeks. This past Wednesday was the surgery at Hopkins. Dr. Sponseller and his wonderful team had the surgery done in just under four hours. The nurse called my husband hourly with an update. Because there was a shortage of beds (or probably nurses) they put Becca in the pediatric ICU the first night. That's a tough place to be as no one sleeps there. The lights are always on and there are lots of beeping monitors. By Thursday morning at 11 she was moved to the adolescent ward into a shared room. Within an hour the physical therapist arrived and had Becca up and walking. We were dismissed from the hospital around 5:30 on Friday, less than 48 hours post op. Becca was pretty determined to go home and although I was nervous about being her home nurse was also looking forward to being home.

    As I write this I am sitting in her room watching her sleep. She is on oxycodone and tylenol and is still working through the pain. She gets up every couple of hours and walks around a bit. She has very little appetite and has been pretty much eating only watermelon and ice cream. But she is sucking down lots of water.

    The most amazing thing about this whole ordeal is that when Becca's sister and I stood her up for the first time we all looked at each other eye to eye. Becca was 5 feet 2.5 inches prior to surgery and although I haven't officially measured her my sense is she's about 5 feet 4 or 5 feet 4.5 inches. Amazing. And she has this beautiful straight back.

    This is major surgery but relatively low risk. The surgery itself has apparently come leaps and bounds from what patients had to endure even 20 years ago. Becca's goal is to be able to comforatably sit through the Harry Potter movie that hits theatres July 14. My goal is to have her feeling great on her 15th birthday which is July 21.

    I hope my post is helpful and I wish all the readers great things in their journey to help themselves or their child.

  • #2
    Wow congratulations on getting through that.

    Less than 48 hours in the hospital? How many levels did she have fused if I might ask?

    I read at least one testimonial of a kid who was in the hospital three days. So I find that remarkable.
    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


    • #3
      Originally posted by Gwen View Post
      We were dismissed from the hospital around 5:30 on Friday, less than 48 hours post op.
      OMG! That's amazing, and scary. It's great when the patient and patient's family wants it, but would be pretty horrible for some. Congratulations on such a smooth ride!

      -Linda
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        Wow, any sooner and it would be an outpatient surgery!

        Age is a big factor with recovery.

        If scoli surgery was done in utero, there would be no recovery at all. LOL

        Eating on Oxy is tough. Try making protein smoothies, with protein powder,milk,banana,blueberries,raspberries,strawbe rries,almonds,yogurt. They taste great,sooth the throat and are good for you. Buy frozen, its easier.

        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
          Home from July 1 surgery

          I emailed her doctor after you asked me the question about how many levels she was fused. He answered and said eleven. Wow.

          She just ate some ramen noodles, half a pudding, and watermelon. And she did all that downstairs. She's back in bed asleep having taken another oxy.

          Once she actually cares about anything other than working through her pain she'll be thrilled to find out she was such a speedy hospital stay and therefore re-enforcing her Type A mentality.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Gwen View Post
            I emailed her doctor after you asked me the question about how many levels she was fused. He answered and said eleven. Wow.

            She just ate some ramen noodles, half a pudding, and watermelon. And she did all that downstairs. She's back in bed asleep having taken another oxy.

            Once she actually cares about anything other than working through her pain she'll be thrilled to find out she was such a speedy hospital stay and therefore re-enforcing her Type A mentality.
            Well that is amazing.

            My kid was not allowed to eat or drink anything (including ice chips) until her stomach woke up (on the third day) and still had the catheter in when your daughter was released.

            I don't understand how she can eat so much so soon without serious consequences. Is she getting bloated?

            Did they say anything about whether they usually release kids after two days or what about your daughter's case made that doable?
            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


            • #7
              Just wanted to add...

              I have helped one kid through this and have another one deck who might need this surgery.

              If you ask me if after helping the one kid if I would choose to bring the other kid home after two days, I would not choose that though I think it is technically doable with help. The reason is you need round the clock care still at two days and I would not be able to do that (turning every two hours, etc.) alone.

              Are you exhausted? Do you have help?
              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


              • #8
                Becca, you go girl! What an amazing testimony to your strength and determination. Keep us posted as you heal. I have hope for us old and young codgers, both those who have had and not yet had surgery.

                YOU ROCK!
                Les
                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


                • #9
                  Gwen

                  Pre and post surgical nutrition is important. After all, healing requires a few things. Here are a few links.

                  http://www.thedietchannel.com/Post-S...ement-Plan.htm

                  http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...ticle1867.html

                  Sharon

                  Eating after an Illus is very delicate. I know, I was there. I guess that's why I'm posting this surgical diet info.

                  Illus or not, it still is something that's critical.

                  Gwen, you can always call your surgeon about diet info. Nurses will also come out to the house, it should be covered by your insurance. Hang in there, and remember that with the resilience of younger patients, its still very early for your daughter to be at home.

                  Uninterrupted sleep is important also. So important that I think I will take a nap, right now LOL
                  Ed
                  Last edited by titaniumed; 07-05-2009, 04:00 PM.
                  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


                  • #10
                    Ed, great links on nutrition. Thank you for that. And it's funny, on her own Becca asked for a smoothie an hour ago. She sucked down about four ounes of an organic yogurt, V8 juice and blueberry smoothie. After reading your links it occured to me to add some fiber next time.

                    Sharon, she hasn't complained about bloating as the actual amount she has been eating has been pretty small. Yeah, it is pretty scary having her home but my husband and I were both commenting on how much more restful home is than the hospital. And Dr. Sponseller emailed me back within thirty minutes today when I asked about the number of levels she had had fused. So I know I have folks to turn to for help. My next big hurdle will be timing a shower for Becca. She tends to sweat a lot when sleeping and is really sick of feeling so dirty. I'm assuming I leave the bandages on while showering and then put on fresh ones when she's done. I will call the dr's office tomorow to figure this out. If you have any suggestions I'm up for them!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Sharon,
                      Jesse ate grilled cheese with bacon at least buy day 3. I agree, I would not have wanted him home that early!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        You have a good point there Gwen. How much more restful it is at home than the hospital. Sleep is important!

                        All the best for a smooth recovery for Becca!
                        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


                        • #13
                          I am trying to remember... I think the IV pain meds came out on the second day. I don't believe anyone could go home on those or needing those.

                          So I think once that comes out, it's mainly non-specialized care so a kid could come home. It's just that it's around the clock and I wouldn't have been able to do it by myself. I mean the nurses work in shifts for a reason.

                          In re eating, my kid's stomach sounds returned on the third day and she was allowed to eat and drink. Still, she didn't want much for several days. Mainly a little liquid. She was in the hospital 5 days and only ate a little breakfast on the day she left.

                          She had zero bloating because of the surgeon's protocol.
                          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
                            Gwen,

                            Congratulations on your daughters successful surgery. I am 37 and had mine done 2 1/2 months ago. Younger people recover so much faster it's amazing. I was diagnosed when I was in 6th grade and they wanted to do surgery than but my parents were to afraid to make the decision and thank god they didn't. Due to technology back than I probably would have been worse of now. I wore the Boston brace and it stabalized the curve through my growth spurts as a young teen but then I really faught against wearing it so it never really helped as much as it could have I suppose. I really didn't have any trouble until 5 years ago. I am (was) a personal trainer and bodybuilder and I was 3 weeks away from a competition and my first of 3 discs herniated. I just went down hill from there.

                            I had a baby last year and it was only then that we realized how bad my curve had gotten. The lumbar progressed to 50 degrees but I also had a 5 centimeter shift of the plumb line AND my head sits on the top of my spine crooked. It's looks like it fell of to the side. I ended un with a c-section due to the curve moving my uterus way off to the side and the baby wasn't over my birth canal. I finally realized that I had to do something. I spent all of 2008 working with a chiropractor to help with the pain and get me moving around again. I couldn't even walk while holding the baby my back was so bad. The chiropractor helped but it just managed the pain and I needed a fix!

                            Making the decision to have surgery was a difficuly one for me. I have 3 son's 15, 10 and 17 months. To not be able to pick up the baby is so difficult and heart breaking. Everytime I looked at him when I came home from the hospital I cried because all I wanted to do was hold him. As a mom yourself I'm sure you can understand! It's better now because he can sit on my lap and I can read to him and we sing and play little games. My mother in law does the bulk of caring for him.

                            We have been very fortunate that we have lots of help from family. My mother in law has been here since my surgery to take care of the kids and my parents have been here to help as well. My mother in law has promised to stay as long as it takes for me to be able to lift the baby again. The doctor said 6 months but we'll see. My husband is in the Coast Guard so that's why we need so much help. They have also been great allowing him the time at home. For the first month after my surgery he was home and than he will have another month off soon in two more weeks.

                            Sorry to have rambled on so long but your story caught my eye. You made a wonderful decision for your daughter. Wearing a brace can be defficult for some kids, I was one of those kids. I hated it and it made me very self conscious. I am looking forward to healing now though and getting my life back in order. It's one year of inconvience and hopefully things will be back to normal. The pain I had prior to surgery is already gone. I do 30 minutes of cardio everyday. I do tire quickly but I get stronger everyday.

                            I wish your daughter continued success and hope her recovery goes by quickly for her so she can get back to her fun! Take care and good luck to you as well!
                            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


                            • #15
                              Wow Susan. Thanks so much for sharing your story. You certainly have a lot on your plate but thankfully have a good support system. And you were obviously is good shape prior to surgery which I am sure is helping. Being home with Becca these last few days and tending to her every need reminds me so much of being home with a newborn. Simulatneously wanting to hold the baby while also trying to recover from childbirth. You have had that and major surgery all in a relatively short time. I agree... a year of misery for a life time peace is a good thing.

                              Becca's curve was diagnoesed just as she turned 14 so the dr didn't think bracing was a good option. We were actually relieved since yeah... bracing can be quite difficult for a teenager. Once we realized her curve was over 50 degree the surgery decision became quite easy to make.

                              She's still in so much pain but is trying to use tylenol more than the narcotics. Her focus today is trying to go to the bathroom and get rid of the bloating. I know that will help a great deal. She has been eating smooties which I have put metamucil in. She's had some stool softeners and this morning I gave her a laxitive. Something's gotta work!

                              Comment

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