Originally posted by Spring72
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Surgery with Dr. Lenke
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TSA Hidden Disabilities Card
I printed out the TSA card from http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/disabi...tion_cards.pdf and read more about hidden disabilities here
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1374.shtm I laminated the card.
The space is limited of what you can type into the card, so I entered: Fused spine: rods, screws and cages
The card is to alert agents that you are trying to be discrete about your hidden disability. Since I had read of a few postop folks who went through airport security without setting off alarms, that is what I tried when we left ATL. The alarms immediately went off and then I showed the agent my card. She explained that to prevent future pat downs, when first get to TSA, show them the card along with my ID and boarding pass and request to be scanned in the special machine.
I did what she suggested on our way home from STL; however, after exiting the special machine, I heard a walkie talkie announce, "Anomaly in the torso," which prompted an agent to pat down my back despite me showing her the card again. Both agents in ATL and STL were very nice and concerned about not wanting to hurt me, so the asked repeatedly if I was in pain anywhere.
Hope this info helps.
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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"Anomaly in the torso" -- I LOVE that!! I think that should be the official term for all post-op scoliosis patients....!
Congratulations on your successful checkup. Regarding the dog issue: my daughter had been begging for a dog for years before I finally relented when I was two years post-op. We ended up adopting a tiny half dachshund/half chihuahua from the SPCA simply because he was so small I knew he wouldn't pull too hard on the leash and I could handle him easily. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a big dog tugging on the leash.....
Anyway, best wishes as you continue to heal.Chris
A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
Post-op curve: 12 degrees
Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York
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you haven't met my little Sparky...all 10 pounds of him...
the neighbors laugh and say he walks me...
proof that even little dogs need obedience school...
but i love him more than anything...
thanks for the info about the TSA card....
jess...& Sparky
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We have two dogs, one big and one little. Our big girl bolted when I was preop and drug me to my knees which wasn't fun. Our little guy pulls so hard that he rubs his paw pads raw. Quite the crew we have, but I'll continue to let my hubby and daughter hold the leash. The concern is not only getting tripped up on a leash, but being jerked quickly/hard that could potentially mess up my back.
There are many card carrying members of the Anomaly in the Torso club! LOL! :-)
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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Flying
I flew to DC back in April and no alarms went off. I was told that the titanium shouldn't trigger the metal detectors. I do trigger the alarms in some stores entering and exiting but found that to be keys in my pocket : ))
I only have the rods and screws. No cages. Maybe that's the difference.50 years old!!!!!
Wore Milwaulkee Brace 1976-77
Original curve 36 degrees ( measured in the 70s)
Advanced to 61 degrees 01/2011
Surgery 07/11/2011
Fused T1-L2 (curve now in the 20s!)
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Originally posted by Marina63 View PostI flew to DC back in April and no alarms went off. I was told that the titanium shouldn't trigger the metal detectors. I do trigger the alarms in some stores entering and exiting but found that to be keys in my pocket : ))
I only have the rods and screws. No cages. Maybe that's the difference.
I wonder if they type of hardware makes a difference in regards to alarms. Lenke said I have a combination of titanium and cobalt steel. Things in life that make you say, "Hmmmm."
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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Originally posted by mabeckoff View PostEvery time I have a Xray, more fusion along my spine can be seen
Does fusion appear on an xray as a cloudy area around the screws?
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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Originally posted by Doreen1 View PostMelissa,
Does fusion appear on an xray as a cloudy area around the screws?
Warmly,
Doreen
When I had my first surgery , in 2010 in Charlotte, I could see on the Xray where the broken rod was there was no cloudy areaMelissa
Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011
April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery
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Originally posted by Doreen1 View PostIsn't that interesting? I learned that I also have two "connectors" one at the top and one at the bottom of the rods. Dr. Lenke said they are there to help keep the ends of the rods in place.
I wonder if they type of hardware makes a difference in regards to alarms. Lenke said I have a combination of titanium and cobalt steel. Things in life that make you say, "Hmmmm."
Warmly,
Doreen50 years old!!!!!
Wore Milwaulkee Brace 1976-77
Original curve 36 degrees ( measured in the 70s)
Advanced to 61 degrees 01/2011
Surgery 07/11/2011
Fused T1-L2 (curve now in the 20s!)
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Originally posted by mabeckoff View PostYes and every time I have another Xray, there is more cloudy area on the xray
When I had my first surgery , in 2010 in Charlotte, I could see on the Xray where the broken rod was there was no cloudy area
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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So great about seeing more & more fusion!
Curious if chromium cobalt rods will "trip" the alarms at the airport for Jacob. Just realized that I don't know which type of metal comprises the screws.Mom of 14yo son diagnosed Oct 2011
Surgery 1/3/12 w Dr. Geof Cronen,
Tampa General Hospital T3 to L1
Jacob's pre surg curves: T58 & L31 12/28/11
photos & xrays in "First-Time Surgery" thread "Before & After"
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Congrats, Doreen! I have that bump, too. I could see it in my first post-op photos. It's weird. I can now also start to see the bottoms of my rib cages on my back--makes me worry that the rib hump will come back. But, so far, so good.
Thanks for the airport info. I think my rods/screws are cobalt chromium, but the cages are titanium.
Are you pain-free now?
Wishing you well,
Evelynage 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.
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Originally posted by Confusedmom View PostCongrats, Doreen! I have that bump, too. I could see it in my first post-op photos. It's weird. I can now also start to see the bottoms of my rib cages on my back--makes me worry that the rib hump will come back. But, so far, so good.
Thanks for the airport info. I think my rods/screws are cobalt chromium, but the cages are titanium.
Are you pain-free now?
Wishing you well,
Evelyn
When do you return to STL?
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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