So sorry, haven't posted in for what seems like forever. I hope this finds everyone still hanging in there. Those of us who are lucky enough to have this behind us - GOOD FOR YOU! So proud of you!!! Those of you who are still waiting for the surgical approach - keep hanging in there. It seems like an indefinite wait and I know how long it gets and believe me I know how much you are hurting, but try to keep your chin up. It's a long haul, I won't paint a pretty picture, but it's not one you can't handle. We're all in this together. I'm doing great pretty much anyways. Ha! REally. My left leg weakness is way better, stairs are not as much of a problem. That was from such a horrible degree curve 96 deg! Yikes! ANd, I still have some of the numbness, tingling, burning, but that's all part of it, Dr. Lenke says. And, I trust him completely! I have lots of numbness, pretty much the whole back and sometimes have a lot of shoulder pain, but it just depends on the day. But, I wouldn't change a thing - best thing I could have ever done for myself. And, with all the scrunching of things inside me, heart, lungs, etc. I didn't have a choice. So, everyone keep a stiff upper lip and I'm saying Hello to all the ones I remember from way back when......HELLO!!!!
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Well worth it!! 6 mos postop
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Rita, I am glad to hear you are doing so well. Recovery can be a long slow process for some of us, but even if we still have some residual pain, it is so good to have our life back and is definitely worth having surgery.
SallyDiagnosed 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.
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Good to hear you're doing so well!Age 56
Wore a Milwaukee Brace for 3 years in hs
Fused L4-S1 for high grade spondylolisthesis Jan '09 in Indy
Thoracic 68
Surgery Aug 31, 2010 T3 to L1
Dr Bridwell St Louis
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...1&d=1289881696
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Rita,
what a wonderful update. I agree with you 100% I recently had my 2 year post op anniversary, and have been thinking that I feel better than I ever could possibly have imagined.
Just know that as good as you feel now, you will continue to improve!!__________________________________________
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
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Hi Rita
Its nice to hear that you are so happy with your surgery...it must be such a relief after all the pain you were in.
We are very lucky that we have great surgeons that can fix us up. I’m so thankful everyday!
Ed49 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
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Hi Rita!!
What a great update! I'm so happy to hear of such positive recovery stories. I have to agree with you...I too am feeling sooo good - I just never truly believed it was possible because it had been such a long time since I really felt like myself. Now, post-surgery, I am way better than I was before the surgery - no pain and tons of energy and my brain feels clear as I don't have to deal with that chronic pain every moment of every day! What a relief!!
Hey, I'm flying home to Kansas today (dad in hospital in Wamego) I can't wait to see the landscape there - I've been so homesick for it lately! Virginia is beautiful but you can't see anything for all the trees in the way! hehe
Thanks for your encouraging words too for those still waiting for their surgeries! I know how these kinds of posts kept me focused on the prize at the end....
Take care!Julie - 51 yrs old
Dx'd 1973 - 43* thoracic curve / rotation
Wore Milwaukee brace 1973 - 1979
Pre-surgery: 63* thoracic / 52* lumbar curves
Surgeries: P - March 16, 2009 - Fused T3-S2 with pelvic fixation
A -April 14, 2009 - Fused L5-S1
Achieved +70% Correction
Dr. Khaled Kebaish, (and team) Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
Standing x-ray
New Spine 03/19/2009
New Spine Lateral 03/19/2009
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Hi Rita, when i didn't see you post for a while, i was hoping that it was because you were doing well and moving on with life. So glad to see that everything is great. Best wishes for a continuing smooth recovery.Vali
44 years young! now 45
Surgery - June 1st, 2009
Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
Post -op - 5 degrees
T11 - S1 Posterior
L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion
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Congratulations Rita. I hope the shoulder pain eventually disappears, as so many of these things do, with time. However, it sounds like you're very happy with your outcome. <thumbs up>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
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Rita--
Good to hear from you and that things are basically going quite well! I hope your recovery continues in a positive way! JanetJanet
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.
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Rita,
Thanks for posting. I'm always happy to hear good reports from those who have been through the surgery (especially if Dr. Lenke was their surgeon)
Keep up the good work with your recovery.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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Rita, So happy to hear such a good update. You had such a huge curve reduction, you must really feel like a new person. One of my biggest worries too was my curves impact on my lungs (the scrunching up), so for me too it's a big relief to feel like I don't need to worry about that anymore. Good luck on your continued recovery!Debra
Age 45
Pre - surgery Thoracic 69, Lumbar 48
Post-surgery Thoracic 37, Lumbar 39 (unfused)
Fused T4-T12
Milwaukee braced, 11 years old to 15 yo
Surgery Sept. 1st, 2010 Dr. Boachie
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Thank you all. So good to hear from you all again. I can't tell you how much your posts have meant to me - from way before my surgery - during surgery when my hubby would read bedside - to recently when I finally found time from 2 jobs to post again. But, I continue to improve every day. Keep up the great work and encouragement for everyone.Rita Thompson
Age 46
Milwaukee Brace wearer for 3 years in childhood
Surgery Mar 1st - 95 degree thoracic curve
Surgery by Dr. Lenke, St. Louis, MO
Post-surgery curve 25-30 degree
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