I found this website a couple of months ago and have found many answers and things to think about.
Intro: I have double scoliosis since I was 12. Back 50 years ago the recommendation was to stay in a cast for 3-6months pre and post op. Then about 3-5 years do the same to tighten the springs. Quite scary so I wore a brace for 2 years. I grew up very rectangular with everything crooked inside (I think that even my mind got a bit too). I was born and raised in Panama and had a great life, fantastic high school years etc. Came to San Francisco, Ca for College. Visited 2-3 orthopedic doctors that did not show any great interest in convincing me to have a fusion. So, I depended on chiropractors and massages to get me thru.
Got married and had two incredibly painful pregnancies as I could not walk much but the deliveries were no-drug, short hours, 8 1/2 lbs and 7 1/2 pound girls four years apart. As the girls headed to college, my bones, joints and empty nest syndrome made us look for future retirement communities (warm, semi tropical, ocean/sea view. and close to an airport).
I worked for very large corporations during my career and travelled about 1/3 of the time to Latin America. I decided that I did not want to work anymore after the last layoff my husband continues to work.
We found a community in Baja California in Mexico. Two hours by car across the California eastern border in San Felipe. Decision based on the beautiful location (whole view of the Sea of Cortez, huge ranges of different colors mountain while standing in the desert) the cost of land and building, and proximity to US doctors and feasability of having regular visits from our girls. Both are pursuing their PhD so the house we built with indoor courtyard, pool, casita for them, outside BBQ etc was mainly a place to wait for them to settle and have a family. At this rate it will be some years more before even grandkids.
Now after living here for 3 years, my back seems to be hurting more than ever. Went to San Diego for a consultation then flew to St Louis, Mo to get a second opinion with Dr Bridwell. I spent 3 weeks in May, returning in the end of july for a flouroscopy before they would schedule any surgery 2-3 months out.
My obsession-anxiety-preoccupation is a selfish one. After the surgery, it will be all on me and the family supporting but my pains, my depressions, my inability to do things independently, having to give up my independence. I am worried about the recovery from intensive care to release from the hospital to a temporary place with my daughter in St Louis to back home to San Felipe to complete recovery. There are 3 plane changes and 2 hour drive down to Mexico home.
San Felipe is a fishing village with great local folks and thousands of ex-patriots but no medical facility for emergencies. Not a lot of friends nor activities conducive to stress relief.
Apologize for being so long with this introduction. My problem is that I am very anxious about the recovery. The Dr in San Diego told me that hospital stay about a week and 2-3 weeks in a rehab center. I rather be somewhere with strangers for a week to learn how to move and when to exercise.
Has anyone felt or done a rehab after surgery in order to learn how to move, stand, sit, turn before going home? If the question I am asking has been answered before, please let me know where to find the answers. I have read many of the latest surgery and recovery progress but would like the smaller details that newbies might not understand or relate.
Thank you
Gardenia
Intro: I have double scoliosis since I was 12. Back 50 years ago the recommendation was to stay in a cast for 3-6months pre and post op. Then about 3-5 years do the same to tighten the springs. Quite scary so I wore a brace for 2 years. I grew up very rectangular with everything crooked inside (I think that even my mind got a bit too). I was born and raised in Panama and had a great life, fantastic high school years etc. Came to San Francisco, Ca for College. Visited 2-3 orthopedic doctors that did not show any great interest in convincing me to have a fusion. So, I depended on chiropractors and massages to get me thru.
Got married and had two incredibly painful pregnancies as I could not walk much but the deliveries were no-drug, short hours, 8 1/2 lbs and 7 1/2 pound girls four years apart. As the girls headed to college, my bones, joints and empty nest syndrome made us look for future retirement communities (warm, semi tropical, ocean/sea view. and close to an airport).
I worked for very large corporations during my career and travelled about 1/3 of the time to Latin America. I decided that I did not want to work anymore after the last layoff my husband continues to work.
We found a community in Baja California in Mexico. Two hours by car across the California eastern border in San Felipe. Decision based on the beautiful location (whole view of the Sea of Cortez, huge ranges of different colors mountain while standing in the desert) the cost of land and building, and proximity to US doctors and feasability of having regular visits from our girls. Both are pursuing their PhD so the house we built with indoor courtyard, pool, casita for them, outside BBQ etc was mainly a place to wait for them to settle and have a family. At this rate it will be some years more before even grandkids.
Now after living here for 3 years, my back seems to be hurting more than ever. Went to San Diego for a consultation then flew to St Louis, Mo to get a second opinion with Dr Bridwell. I spent 3 weeks in May, returning in the end of july for a flouroscopy before they would schedule any surgery 2-3 months out.
My obsession-anxiety-preoccupation is a selfish one. After the surgery, it will be all on me and the family supporting but my pains, my depressions, my inability to do things independently, having to give up my independence. I am worried about the recovery from intensive care to release from the hospital to a temporary place with my daughter in St Louis to back home to San Felipe to complete recovery. There are 3 plane changes and 2 hour drive down to Mexico home.
San Felipe is a fishing village with great local folks and thousands of ex-patriots but no medical facility for emergencies. Not a lot of friends nor activities conducive to stress relief.
Apologize for being so long with this introduction. My problem is that I am very anxious about the recovery. The Dr in San Diego told me that hospital stay about a week and 2-3 weeks in a rehab center. I rather be somewhere with strangers for a week to learn how to move and when to exercise.
Has anyone felt or done a rehab after surgery in order to learn how to move, stand, sit, turn before going home? If the question I am asking has been answered before, please let me know where to find the answers. I have read many of the latest surgery and recovery progress but would like the smaller details that newbies might not understand or relate.
Thank you
Gardenia
Comment