Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

One Year Anniversary Today-Yeah!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • One Year Anniversary Today-Yeah!

    I can't believe it has been a year since my surgery with Dr. Lenke. While recovery wasn't easy, I was fortunate enough to have had no major setbacks and never once regretted having the surgery. Without the advice and support from the knowledgeable and caring people from this forum, I most likely would have not been able to go through with it. I was seldom in pain prior to surgery, but feel that the surgery has increased my odds for a continuing a physically active life. I also am thrilled with my straight back with no rib hump and my excellent posture. I am amazed at the number of compliments that I continue to receive about my new appearance and have been told that I look years younger. Apparently, the loose fitting clothes didn't hide anything as much as I had hoped!

    My husband is taking me to dinner tonight to mark the occasion. I'm sure he'll never forget the stress he went through during my 10 hour surgery and the months to follow of taking care of me, so I will have a toast to him.

    I still have occasional aches and tightness through my back, but hope that it is normal. Now, I just pray that Dr. Lenke will give me a good report after he sees my x-rays on the 18th. If that is the case, which I expect(hope) it to be, I will have a major celebration with lobster tail, champagne, etc.
    Thanks, again, to all of you wonderful people from this forum!
    Last edited by golfnut; 01-17-2013, 03:10 AM.
    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/

  • #2
    Congratulations Karen! Bring on the champagne I'm so glad you have had a good experience, gives me hope for my own recovery...I am closer to you now, I am in St.Louis!
    Spring
    42 yrs old
    Milwaukee braced 1983 to 1989
    was told my curves would never progress
    at 19yrs old 1991, T30-L38
    2010, T38-L56--progression in one year 2011, T40-L67
    new diagnosis-kyphoscoliosis, DDD, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, 73 degree Kyphosis
    Surgery 1-09-12....10 hrs all posterior T4-sacrum & 2 cages
    Dr. Lenke-St. Louis Mo.
    Surgery to clean out infection 2-10-12
    Revision for broken rods 1-23-14

    Comment


    • #3
      Congrats, Karen!!! Your testimonial tonight was just the encouragement I needed. A gift from the Lord! Today I've been struggling with wondering how in the world I'll get thru the recovery phase and your note is a reminder that, first, God is still faithful, and secondly, people do come thru this. Thanks for posting!

      Spring, I've been praying for you as you have surgery Monday. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 10. Would appreciate people's prayers for the surgical team --- pray that they will be on their "A" game!!
      Sheree
      Diagnosed age 18 - told I was done growing and it wouldn't get any worse
      Had two children
      Back started hurting more around age 52
      Saw Dr. Whitaker, KS Joint and Spine Institute, Jan. 2009 - Thoracic was 65, Lumbar was 50
      Saw Dr. Whitaker again Oct. 11 - Thoracic was 65, Lumbar was 55
      Fused T4-S1 with pelvic fixation and one cage Jan. 10, 2012 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS - age 55
      Post-Op X-ray - Thoracic was 50 and Lumbar was 23
      My Blog: www.shereeglanzer.blogspot.com

      Comment


      • #4
        Spring and Timetofaceit,
        You will do just fine. I will be sending positive thoughts and prayers for both of you. Many "on the other side" told me prior to my surgery that the recovery was easier than all of the worrying and stress that we tend to have before surgery. They were absolutely right. I imagined pain beyond belief and just didn't have anything close to it. Granted, you will have aches and I had stomach pain, but, nothing close to what I had expected. Maybe, I was just lucky. Good luck, girls!
        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/

        Comment


        • #5
          Congratulations Karen! That year seems to have gone so fast. And what an amazing year it's been for you! I think a toast to your husband is an excellent idea.
          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
            Woo-hoo! Let us know how the 18th goes!!! Happy for you.

            ,
            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


            • #7
              Karen--
              Congrats! You have done so well! Best wishes for year 2 and beyond being just as good. Good luck to those who are gearing up for their own this month and in 2012! Janet
              Janet

              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.

              Comment


              • #8
                Karen,
                Congratulations on your one year post-op anniversary. In another year you will be even better. A good report on the 18th should also include getting out those golf clubs for sure.
                My best, Sally
                Diagnosed 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.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Glad for you that things have gone so well . Congratulations on the one year anniversary.
                  Melissa

                  Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                  April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Karen,

                    Congratulations on your one year anniversary! You have been so extremely helpful to me and many on this forum with your knowledge and experience. I hope
                    you get the best possible report from Dr. Lenke and wish you just as smooth and uneventful recovery for the 2nd year. You are an inspiration to me and many others here I'm sure. Please keep us updated on your report on the 18th.

                    Pam
                    Pam, age 49
                    Thoracolumbar curves 80 and 40 corrected to 20 degrees
                    April 20, 2012 surgery with Dr. Lenke
                    T-3 to sacrum

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Karen

                      One year is a milestone....a date we just cannot forget. I’m sure you will get the green light on the 18th.

                      I started skiing again in April 2009 out at Park City. 14 months post.
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...ing&highlight=

                      Let me know when you are ready for the NSF downhill ski team....He he

                      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


                      • #12
                        Ah...girlfriend....we MADE IT! You were so helpful to me while recovering. It was so nice to have someone know exactly where I was and what I was feeling. I am so happy for you, and that you made it with no complications or regrets. When you raise that glass of champagne, remember I am sending a toast to you BOTH!! Here's to many years ahead without progression!
                        Jenee'-52
                        Bend, Oregon

                        Braced 3 years in high school
                        Lumbar 70'+ Thoracic 70'+
                        I had 3" shrinkage in 6 months...

                        Surgery Jan 10, 2011
                        9 hours
                        T3 to S1 with pelvic fixation
                        Both curves now 35'

                        Possible revison for Flatback Syndrome
                        Non-fusion
                        Loose/broken hardware-awaiting CT results

                        Here is the link to my before and after pics..
                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt......&highlight=

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Oh, you guys are so sweet. I got emotional tonight reading all of your posts. Thanks so much! I'll add a post to this thread after I see Dr. Lenke on the 18th. Hopefully, I can soon include a picture or video of me swinging a golf club!
                          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/

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Congratulations, Karen!

                            Your posts are always a joy to read. You've been helpful to so many of us who haven't had surgery yet. May you continue to have a smooth recovery, and enjoy getting back to golf!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Congratulations Karen! that a great milestone
                              Kara
                              25
                              Brace 4-15-05-5-25-06
                              Posterior Spinal Fusion 3-10-10
                              T4-L2
                              Before 50T
                              After 20T

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X