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The benefits of being fused

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  • #61
    So many things...

    There are benefits I realize every day...this past weekend I was able to go trick or treating with my little grandson and be the videographer! I was not able to do that the past couple of years as I couldn't walk upright and my legs hurt so much. In fact, about 3 weeks ago I went to the zoo! and walked all around for at least 2 hours!!! I used to look for the closest, handicapped parking spot available. But not now... I don't even think about that anymore. I thank God every day for my good fortune...and I hope those contemplating surgery will have as good a result as I did (even though it took 2 times to get there).
    May 2008 Fusion T4 - S1, Pre-op Curves T45, L70 (age 48). Unsuccessful surgery.

    March 18, 2010 (age 50). Revision with L3 Osteotomy, Replacement of hardware T11 - S1 , addition of bilateral pelvic fixation. Correction of sagittal imbalance and kyphosis.

    January 24, 2012 (age 52) Revision to repair pseudoarthrosis and 2 broken rods at L3/L4.

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    • #62
      Thanks for sharing. The standing and walking is what I am looking forward to more than anything else. I can identify with finding close parking spaces.

      I do have a "cane seat" or "sport seat" that I use when I know I'll have to stand. This allows me to sit anywhere anytime.

      I can't wait to retire this piece of equipment. Shopping in a department store without pain will be a treat.

      Comment


      • #63
        Look at this, a bump
        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


        • #64
          Can you take long flights after the surgery? I understand you can't right away, but eventually, can you spend 10 - 16 hours sitting on a plane going to Europe from San Francisco?
          I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
          45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
          A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

          Comment


          • #65
            I flew to Kona, Hawaii which is 5 1/2 hours. That’s the longest flight I have done post surgery. Before surgery, I would stand for that time in the back of the plane.

            After you are healed and have no issues, a flight to Europe sounds possible. Take a pillow, it makes all the difference in the world.

            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


            • #66
              Ed,

              I'm confused. A bump?

              Evelyn
              age 48
              80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
              Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
              Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
              Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
              Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

              Comment


              • #67
                Hi Ed,

                It’s interesting that you liked to stand up before. I can sit for a long time (took a few trips to Europe), but cannot stand still. Walking is fine too as long as I take breaks every hour or so.
                My back and hip hurt the most when I cook or clean. If I stand for more than an hour chopping and slicing, I have to lie down. This Saturday we went to Zac Brown concert – everyone was standing up, but I could not stand for more than a few minutes. My hip was killing me. I always have back aches, some days are better, some days are worse, but I cannot say that my pains are debilitating. Annoying and frustrating sometimes. What also bothers me is that I feel my ribs sitting on my left hip.

                I was wondering if a surgery would change it all or maybe it’s not that bad to go under a knife. I am afraid to end up being worse than before… I am also reading “Revisions” forum and it’s scary how many people need a revision surgery.

                Irina.
                I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                Comment


                • #68
                  Originally posted by Irina View Post
                  Hi Ed,

                  I am afraid to end up being worse than before… I am also reading “Revisions” forum and it’s scary how many people need a revision surgery.

                  Irina.
                  Yes, but you don't read about the many people who DON'T need revision surgery because they are off living their lives! Always important to remember that internet forums tend to show more of the bad and less of the good. This one has the benefit of a number of "regulars" who have gone on with their lives but still stick around to help out the rest of us.

                  When I was deciding whether or not to have Lasik on my ridiculously near-sighted eyes, I read horror story after horror story on the internet and then just decided to stop reading and get on with it, already. I don't feel any need to go online to talk about my success with Lasik, but you can bet if I'd had something awful happen I'd be squinting at my computer and typing out my grief on some forum or another.

                  But yeah, I'm also afraid of being worse than before, but hey, at least we'll LOOK so much better! That's worth something!

                  I'm almost two weeks post-op from my first little deal with the devil, with no guarantees of how it will work out, and no way of knowing if/when/how soon I'll be looking at the Real Deal. To me, it mainly comes down to, "Can I live with what I have right now?" Until the answer is an unequivocal yes, it's hard to jump in the water.
                  Stephanie, age 56
                  Diagnosed age 8
                  Milwaukee brace 9 years, no further treatment, symptom free and clueless until my 40s that curves could progress.
                  Thoracolumbar curve 39 degrees at age 17
                  Now somewhere around 58 degrees thoracic, 70 degrees thoracolumbar
                  Surgeon Dr. Michael S. O'Brien, Baylor's Southwest Scoliosis Center, Dallas TX
                  Bilateral laminectomies at L3 to L4, L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 on April 4, 2012
                  Foramenotomies L3 through S1 in August 2014

                  Comment


                  • #69
                    The benefits of being fused...

                    Thank you...everyone, for your replies. Yes, yes, yes,...all more reasons to have my surgery. I'm looking forward to a more active lifestyle, and more fun times with my Grand-children. No more, will I be saying " Sorry, I don't think I could handle that" !!

                    I haven't been on here for a while. My news is that my consultation with my surgeon will be in the first part of June. It's been too long of a wait! But he's one of the best. I need to have surgery as soon as it's offered...my pain level is increasing. It's a blessing to talk to others who are going through this, as well. I'll be welcoming your advice & support along the recovery road.
                    Kootenaygal.

                    Comment


                    • #70
                      Originally posted by Confusedmom View Post
                      Ed,

                      I'm confused. A bump?

                      Evelyn
                      It is not a tumor.(smiley face)

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_(Internet)

                      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


                      • #71
                        Irina

                        Yes, the revision section will give us the jitters.....Complications are something we need to know about, and be prepared for.......

                        I lost my gall bladder, a rare complication of scoliosis surgery....just one of the complications.

                        When quality of life suffers like it did with me, pain tips the scales of decision.

                        I’m still alive, another benefit of scoliosis surgery. Almost forgot that one. Hmmm......

                        I have a very busy day today.

                        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


                        • #72
                          Hi Stephanie,

                          I wish you speedy recovery and good outcome. You're so right about internet tending to bring more of the negative than positive. I am so glad I found this forum where I can talk with people in similar situation.
                          I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                          45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                          A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                          Comment


                          • #73
                            The Benefits of being fused

                            Thank you Ed, for starting this thread...and for everyone else who replied.
                            I will be having surgery this year for my kyphosis & scoliosis...still in the process of more consultations with my surgeon, and more x-rays. I know I'll have so much support from this fabulous support group. It's so nice to view comments, answers to my questions, and to have support during my recovery.
                            Thanks again...
                            Kootenaygal

                            Comment


                            • #74
                              Thanks Ed. I am so out of it.

                              Well....I was probably one of THE wishy-washiest people about this surgery. I am 5 weeks out, and while I'm still relatively early in my recovery, I can say that I DO look better. Not perfectly straight, but much straighter and a little taller. I can wear form-fitting shirts. Hurrah!!
                              age 48
                              80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
                              Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
                              Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
                              Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
                              Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

                              Comment


                              • #75
                                Evelyn,
                                Thanks for asking for a clarification of "bump". I didn't know either what Ed was talking about.
                                This is definitely a good thread for those considering surgery to read.
                                Karen

                                Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                                Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                                70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                                Rib Hump-GONE!
                                Age-60 at the time of surgery
                                Now 66
                                Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                                Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                                See photobucket link for:
                                Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                                Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                                tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                                http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

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