The rest of the story...

[marie]

Hello everyone,
A few days ago I shared my positive experience with the Spinecor brace. I gave a short case history. A while back, though, I had written a more comprehensive version of my three surgeries, with the intention of posting it here. I am just becoming more familiar with the IT, so I attach the document. This was written before the appointment with Dre. Marcotte. I am still doing well with the Spinecor.

I hope this works,
If not, I'll try later,
Have a good day everyone,

Marie

[Susie*Bee]

Marie-- your attachment worked just fine! Your story is quite a sad one, but shows the triumph of will over terrible adversity. Yes, this is a major, major surgery-- and gratefully most never have problems anywhere near yours-- but we need to remember that they do happen, even if they are rare. We play the odds about many things in our lives. I am still glad I went for surgery. Thanks for sharing. --Susie

[marie]

Hello Susie Bee/Spinecor

Hello Susie Bee,
I have been away from the computer for a while, but finally I am reading you. Thanks for your reply.
Knowing of your positive experience with the surgery, as well as that of others, has been a bit of a revelation to me (remember that I had no contact with anyone for 15 years). Thank you all for sharing. I am happy that some people truly have an outcome for the best, that improves their lives. This forum is very educational. I have learned something. The sharing of experiences is extremely positive, the more is said, the more truth comes out, from all perspectives/experiences.

I just went for a follow up appointment with Dre. Marcotte for the Spinecor, she tightened the straps a bit, and it all is still working very well for me. My energy levels remain higher, pain either minimal or completely controlled. And when/if there is pain, it takes less time to disappear.

Marie

[scolimich]

Curious about Bursitis, Marie

Hi Marie,

I am new to the forum. My heart goes out to you with all of the pain you have been experiencing. I am 26 and in a lot of pain. I am curious about the bursitis you speak of in your attached letter to us all. I had fusion 10 years ago (double curve: fused from T4-L2). I have a terrible gnawing pain in my upper right shoulder blade region between the scapula and spine. It was there before the rods were put in and it came back not too long after surgery. My mid-back/thoracic area is what's giving me most of my pain as well. If you don't mind, I would like to know a little bit more about what it felt like in that area for you...since I'm in the process of going to see about a revision for the pain.

Thanks so much,
Scolimich

[marie]

Hello Scolimich

I was just reading your post somewhere else in the forum. I felt like responding and I find you here also! Synchronicities
My heart goes to you, you are so young.

The pain in my left shoulder blade area was between the scapula and the spinal column. It was of a tearing nature, because, well, it is what was happening, within the muscles. It prevented me from doing several arm movements. It was bursitis around the rod. I had not had this pain before surgery. It was specifically caused by the rod.
The rods had not been attached as planned. The surgeon during the first operation had not had hooks small enough to attach to my spine. This is how I understand and remember this situation. I guess the Good Lord made me on the smaller side In any case, you could see a bump in my back where the top of the left rod was pushing under the muscle and skin.

Looking back on things (hindsight is 20/20) I would have looked for a second opinion, maybe a third before doing surgery (the first surgery that is, I did not have the luxury or time to look around for second opinions for the second and third surgeries).
Is it a possibility for you to see more than one specialist to investigate the cause of your pain? Getting various opinions may be of value, and provide different approaches. And if they all agree, that's also useful...But getting to the cause of your pain is crucial so you can address it optimally. It is important to ask doctors and other professionals a lot of questions, and get the answers.

I hope this gives you a bit of info,

Marie

[Diane BCSW]

Marie, your experience as described in your attachment was absolutely TERRIBLE. It's bad enough just having a scoliosis surgery, but to incur the additional pain and agony as you did is incredible and you are a very strong woman to have survived such a long and agonizing journey. I'm glad to see that finally you are having some pain free times. It's sad that you were left in a condition where you have such difficulty walking. Any time that I start to feel sorry for myself, I'm coming back to read your story.

Michelle, it's my understanding that bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa and that we have bursa sacks located around each one of our joints. I've had bursitis in my upper back, between my spine and my right shoulder blade. At that time, I had injections of steroid direct into the bursa. I have also had bursitis in my hips or upper thighs (I'm not sure which) and also had injections direct into the bursa located in the upper thigh. I recall that it's a big needle, but they deaden the skin. I continue to this day to have bursitis in both hips, but it doesn't bother me unless I roll onto a hip... so I don't. The pain of bursitis is very intense and very bothersome but it differs from site to site. For me, it feels like a constant irritation way underneath the surface, feeling like it's right at the bone. I'm sorry for such a poor description, but pain is hard to describe and differs from person to person. I've been treated by both my surgeon's office and by a pain specialist.

Michelle, when are your appointments in Texas with the two doctors?