I've been reading posts here for the last couple of months, but I've been too nervous to write my own. ...I don't know, maybe it's because that makes my decision to have surgery too real. My surgery, with Dr Rand in Boston, is scheduled for April 28.
I was diagnosed when I was 12 with a 46 degree lumbar and a 26 degree thorasic curve with rotation between. Surgery was suggested at the time, but we chose the other option which was traction and casting for six weeks to stretch me, followed by six years in a Milwalkee brace which I wore faithfully for 23 hours a day.
Doctors informed us that surgery was probably in my future, and here I am thirty something years later. My pain has gradually increased over the years and last summer it became very intense. My lumbar curve is now 55 degrees (not too drastic an increase over all those years), but I slipped two discs and the rotation is worse as well. Physical therapy, acupuncture, and cortizone shots have given me little relief. I still can't do much yoga or walking or even hanging on my bar, which I have always used to control my scoli pain. I'm missing more days at work this year than ever before and my general quality of life is pretty compromised.
Still, every day I wonder if I've made the right decision. This surgery is just so invasive, and the recovery so long. I worry about how I'll feel months and years after surgery with such limited flexibiliy since most of my damage in in the lumbar region. Dr Rand feels that surgery will help with the pain and I trust his judgement. He comes highly recommended and I've heard so many great things about him, so I'm going with it.
I'm introducing myself to you today because this surgery is all I think about and pretty much all I talk about. My family and especially my husband is very supportive, but all of you know what it feels like first hand. It's both helpful and frightening to read your posts, and best of all, it's honest. That's what I need right now. Thanks for listening.
Jo
I was diagnosed when I was 12 with a 46 degree lumbar and a 26 degree thorasic curve with rotation between. Surgery was suggested at the time, but we chose the other option which was traction and casting for six weeks to stretch me, followed by six years in a Milwalkee brace which I wore faithfully for 23 hours a day.
Doctors informed us that surgery was probably in my future, and here I am thirty something years later. My pain has gradually increased over the years and last summer it became very intense. My lumbar curve is now 55 degrees (not too drastic an increase over all those years), but I slipped two discs and the rotation is worse as well. Physical therapy, acupuncture, and cortizone shots have given me little relief. I still can't do much yoga or walking or even hanging on my bar, which I have always used to control my scoli pain. I'm missing more days at work this year than ever before and my general quality of life is pretty compromised.
Still, every day I wonder if I've made the right decision. This surgery is just so invasive, and the recovery so long. I worry about how I'll feel months and years after surgery with such limited flexibiliy since most of my damage in in the lumbar region. Dr Rand feels that surgery will help with the pain and I trust his judgement. He comes highly recommended and I've heard so many great things about him, so I'm going with it.
I'm introducing myself to you today because this surgery is all I think about and pretty much all I talk about. My family and especially my husband is very supportive, but all of you know what it feels like first hand. It's both helpful and frightening to read your posts, and best of all, it's honest. That's what I need right now. Thanks for listening.
Jo
Comment