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  • Finally Fused

    Hi all,
    Its been a while. Life got really chaotic and I have spent the last several months trying to just "get fused" and deal with life in general.
    In any case, I went back and saw my surgeon again about 2 weeks ago and was told that I am now fused. The rods did not break this time, though there was an AWFUL LOT of popping, grinding, and cracking going on for a while. I am finally now starting to get some relief. I've been off pain meds for quite a while, mostly due to the allergy issue, but before that had occasionally been on low dose liquid hydrocodone about once every few weeks (so that the allergic reactions weren't too bad).
    It would appear that the non-unions were probably a result of a few "mistakes" made by my old surgeon, since this time I fused very quickly in the areas in question.
    I thought I would update now that I have something pleasant to share
    I will try to be around more often.

    -Sara
    25 years old
    double 70+ degree curves before surgery
    Anterior on 11/11/08
    Posterior on 12/2/08 with titanium rods
    nearly perfect correction
    fused t-10 to pelvis
    with a hemi-vertebral osteotomy at L4

    Broke right rod at L4-L5 on 06/26/09
    Broke left rod on 10/24/09
    Revision surgery on 11/5/09 with vitallium rods
    Broke both rods again

    Had posterior than anterior revisions on 03/11 at the Twin Cities Spine Center
    Declared "FUSED" on 12/6/11

  • #2
    Sara

    I knew you were ok..... I just had that “gut” feeling....

    After 3 years of struggling, its time to celebrate! (smiley face)

    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


    • #3
      Very good news! It's about time!!!!

      So happy for you.

      Sharon
      Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

      No island of sanity.

      Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
      Answer: Medicine


      "We are all African."

      Comment


      • #4
        Excellent news. A relief for you! A great start to 2012.
        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


        • #5
          Glad to hear it!! No more breaking, please....!!!!
          Chris
          A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
          Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
          Post-op curve: 12 degrees
          Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

          Comment


          • #6
            Sara--
            I'm so happy for you! I've been wondering about you. You were way overdue for a good doctor and a good fusion. You must feel like you can now live your life again. Wonderful! 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


            • #7
              I am SOOOO glad that things went well for you this time! Thankfully you were able to get in to Twin Cities. I'm actually thinking about trying to get back in there myself. My doctor, the only one in my state, is just too busy to remember one patient from another. How was your experience? Did you see Dr. Perra? Anyway, great news. Now you can get on with your life! (((HUGS)))
              Be happy!
              We don't know what tomorrow brings,
              but we are alive today!

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks all! I am pretty excited about it

                rohrer01- I LOVED my surgeon (Dr Transfeldt), but to be honest, the hospital stay was the worst one I have ever had. The nurses were mean, uncaring, and downright cruel sometimes. But, that being said, the fusion took, and my surgeon made they hospital stay worth it.
                25 years old
                double 70+ degree curves before surgery
                Anterior on 11/11/08
                Posterior on 12/2/08 with titanium rods
                nearly perfect correction
                fused t-10 to pelvis
                with a hemi-vertebral osteotomy at L4

                Broke right rod at L4-L5 on 06/26/09
                Broke left rod on 10/24/09
                Revision surgery on 11/5/09 with vitallium rods
                Broke both rods again

                Had posterior than anterior revisions on 03/11 at the Twin Cities Spine Center
                Declared "FUSED" on 12/6/11

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi,

                  Sorry to hear the hospital stay was so bad. I had plenty of mean nurses after my surgery, too (totally different hospital).

                  I sent you a PM asking a bit about your broken rod experience--I had a huge, painful loud pop in my lower back last week--just waiting for further imaging and surgeon's appt tomorrow. It is really hard to not worry about broken hardware after having an experience like that.
                  Gayle, age 50
                  Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
                  Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
                  Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


                  mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
                  2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
                  2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

                  also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    sent you a message back
                    25 years old
                    double 70+ degree curves before surgery
                    Anterior on 11/11/08
                    Posterior on 12/2/08 with titanium rods
                    nearly perfect correction
                    fused t-10 to pelvis
                    with a hemi-vertebral osteotomy at L4

                    Broke right rod at L4-L5 on 06/26/09
                    Broke left rod on 10/24/09
                    Revision surgery on 11/5/09 with vitallium rods
                    Broke both rods again

                    Had posterior than anterior revisions on 03/11 at the Twin Cities Spine Center
                    Declared "FUSED" on 12/6/11

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Sara,
                      So glad to hear your good news. It's a good thing you are fierce like tiger. I never could understand mean nurses. I guess they never had anything bad happen to them. - Someday they will. Take care and its good to hear from you again.
                      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


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by fierceliketiger View Post
                        Thanks all! I am pretty excited about it

                        rohrer01- I LOVED my surgeon (Dr Transfeldt), but to be honest, the hospital stay was the worst one I have ever had. The nurses were mean, uncaring, and downright cruel sometimes. But, that being said, the fusion took, and my surgeon made they hospital stay worth it.
                        How long were you in there? It makes me a little scared to go back, just in case they want to do surgery. I've never had mean nurses for any hospital stay. I hear stories and it scares me. My scoli is stil progressing, as of the imaging studies done last March. I've tried everything to get my pain under control. NOTHING helps the neck pain, and it turns into migraines. Anyway, back to you. Did they replace all of the hardware? I believe your surgeon is new there, or at least new since I went there. I wasn't crazy about Dr. Perra's bedside manner, that's why I asked you. I'm kind of afraid to go back to him, since he seemed so disinterested in me as a person. I don't know if they assign people to different surgeons based on what needs to be done or not, but it sounds like your guy is really good for revisions. I'm not sure who to see there. My doctor here acted like Perra was surgery happy, but that's not the impression he (Perra) gave me at all. Again, sorry for all the questions. I'm sure you can't answer them all. I'm really glad to see you back on the forum!
                        Be happy!
                        We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                        but we are alive today!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks for the reply! I am getting anxious about my imaging and appointment tomorrow, but definitely ready for some answers.
                          Gayle, age 50
                          Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
                          Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
                          Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


                          mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
                          2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
                          2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

                          also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by loves to skate View Post
                            Sara,
                            So glad to hear your good news. It's a good thing you are fierce like tiger. I never could understand mean nurses. I guess they never had anything bad happen to them. - Someday they will. Take care and its good to hear from you again.
                            Sally
                            I don't understand mean nurses either! I'm a NICE nurse ;-)
                            May 2008 Fusion T4 - S1, Pre-op Curves T45, L70 (age 48). Unsuccessful surgery.

                            March 18, 2010 (age 50). Revision with L3 Osteotomy, Replacement of hardware T11 - S1 , addition of bilateral pelvic fixation. Correction of sagittal imbalance and kyphosis.

                            January 24, 2012 (age 52) Revision to repair pseudoarthrosis and 2 broken rods at L3/L4.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Sara,
                              I'm so happy that you are fiused! You've been through a lot!
                              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

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