Well, my daughter is going in on Monday to have surgery on her back. She was diagnosed with a Idiopathic Scoliosis back in October, and the Dr told us that he was sorry to tell us right off the bat that her curves required surgery. She has a double curve, one at 51 degrees, and the other is 55 degrees (it has since progressed to 60 degrees since October.) Needless to say, we were shocked at the news, because we never saw it coming! Dr Karlin explained (and showed us with the x-rays) that since opposing curves, they somewhat balanced each other out when just looking with the naked eye. It was noticable when she bends down, as her right shoulder "hunches" up quite a bit.
As the surgery date got closer, I started looking for support to deal with this, and came across this forum. What great advice and support I found in here! Trouble is, I got the impression that my daughter is in for a few months of strictly laying in bed, and being an invalid. Thankfully, Dr. Karlin set me straight last Thursday when we went to Children's Hospital in Boston for all the pre-op stuff. He told me she'd be up and walking a day after surgery, maybe two days later - tops. What a relief! My daughter is a wonderful 12 year old, and very active - and we were so worried about how she was going to deal with her recovery. The fact that she will be able to be up and about, at least in some capacity, is a relief.
One thing that really worries me, is the fact she loves to dance. She's been going to the same dance studio for 6 years now, and I'm worried about her ability to dance after the surgery. I couldn't get the exact numbers of the vertebrae that are being fused, but he did say that he'll be fusing a some on her upper spine to correct the first curve, and a few on her lower spine as well. Anyone ever have problems with being able to go back to dancing? Obviously we know some of her movements will be restricted - but enough to prohibit her from dancing again? That's her biggest issue - she's actually taking this whole surgery thing better than my wife and I are!
As the surgery date got closer, I started looking for support to deal with this, and came across this forum. What great advice and support I found in here! Trouble is, I got the impression that my daughter is in for a few months of strictly laying in bed, and being an invalid. Thankfully, Dr. Karlin set me straight last Thursday when we went to Children's Hospital in Boston for all the pre-op stuff. He told me she'd be up and walking a day after surgery, maybe two days later - tops. What a relief! My daughter is a wonderful 12 year old, and very active - and we were so worried about how she was going to deal with her recovery. The fact that she will be able to be up and about, at least in some capacity, is a relief.
One thing that really worries me, is the fact she loves to dance. She's been going to the same dance studio for 6 years now, and I'm worried about her ability to dance after the surgery. I couldn't get the exact numbers of the vertebrae that are being fused, but he did say that he'll be fusing a some on her upper spine to correct the first curve, and a few on her lower spine as well. Anyone ever have problems with being able to go back to dancing? Obviously we know some of her movements will be restricted - but enough to prohibit her from dancing again? That's her biggest issue - she's actually taking this whole surgery thing better than my wife and I are!
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