My kypho scoliosis (up my left side) was a congenital birth defect. I'm 72 years of age and never had surgery. I wear a lift on my right shoe. In the beginning I was in the hospital for about a year with the only treatment available at the time....sunlamps and braces. I remember my torso being in a plaster cast for awhile. That was no fun; I was growing, but the cast wasn't. Then they tried leather strapping. This was back in the day, probably 1937.
After all they did, nothing much had changed. They wanted to do spinal fusion, which was experimental at the time. My mother refused, saying that she rather leave it up to me when I was old enough to decide. She brought me home and I just lived my life, but was very much overprotected, for fear I would get hurt. I worked and drove a car and married a nice guy. I never had children of my own. Surgery, to me, would be out of the question, especially at this late date.
I have developed pulmonary problems, for which I am being treated, and of course, as I age my curvature becomes more and more a problem (getting comfortable to sleep at night and needing oxygen at night). Looking good in my clothes has always been a problem, but breathing now is my main concern. I'm trying to remain contented while at the same time knowing my days may be numbered. When your breath runs out, life is over.
It's good to meet all of you and I hope to post here as time permits.
After all they did, nothing much had changed. They wanted to do spinal fusion, which was experimental at the time. My mother refused, saying that she rather leave it up to me when I was old enough to decide. She brought me home and I just lived my life, but was very much overprotected, for fear I would get hurt. I worked and drove a car and married a nice guy. I never had children of my own. Surgery, to me, would be out of the question, especially at this late date.
I have developed pulmonary problems, for which I am being treated, and of course, as I age my curvature becomes more and more a problem (getting comfortable to sleep at night and needing oxygen at night). Looking good in my clothes has always been a problem, but breathing now is my main concern. I'm trying to remain contented while at the same time knowing my days may be numbered. When your breath runs out, life is over.
It's good to meet all of you and I hope to post here as time permits.
Comment