First off, I have been in and out of this forum for several years now...what a life saver (sanity saver?) it has been!! Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to help us with our questions.
I have a 66 degree lumbar and 48 degree thoracic curve. I've been very fortunate to be able to stay quite active in my adult life. Skiiing (snow and water), mountain biking, skating, hiking, snowmobiling, etc. I truly believe it has kept me more flexible and strong, enabling me to better stabilize my curves. I was determined in high school not to let it stop me from living my life!!!
However, the last few years HAVE been more of a challenge. Epidural injections have made the difference between working and not working. It doesn't take away all the pain, but sure takes that nasty edge off so I can still function somewhat normally.
I wore a Boston brace in HS for 3 years, and have maintained my curve degrees over the years. But I am now 48, and I have shrunk 3 inches since January... I KNEW something was changing, just by the feeling and nerve pains. Due to my age, and the rapid progression, we have scheduled surgery for January 10th. Oh man, that is hard to actually say it!! One thing to think about doing it someday, another thing ENTIRELY to actually set a date. But I have put off surgery for over 30 years-I feel fortunate to have been able to wait that long.
I will be honest, I'm pretty tough, and have a high pain tolerance (most of us scoliosis people do, I think!), but this does make me nervous. No going back. I'm scared of losing flexibility and the long healing process; of being STIFF 24/7. Scared of not being able to do some of the things I love. Scared about not being able to go back to work. I manage a bakery, and I do heavy lifting, usually 2-3 PALLETS of somewhat heavy freight every day. 9-10 hour days with usually no breaks or lunches. The joys of management!! Hours have been cut to the extent that I am pretty much it, as far as labor. No one to delegate TO! I don't know if I will ever be able to have a full release, which is to be able to consistently lift 50 lbs. And they have NO light duty option. It is all or nothing. I've wondered about ADA and if they could be forced to just help me with freight... I've worked there all my adult life, and don't know anything else. Scary to think of losing your career...
I know everyone is different, but I am wondering how to set up my bedroom for the homecoming. I am a type "A" personality, and never sit still. So I've bought a netbook for staying in touch with this site, and my friends and family on FB and email. I bought a new ipod and loaded it with my entire music library (over 3,000 songs, YAY!), set up the TV and DVD player.
I've been buying up books like crazy. I have a lap top tray. My mother has a walker I can use.
I guess I'm wondering how long, on average, you have to resort to these activities. I can find things to do around the house, but how long before most of you were able to be up at least part of the day? I'm fine with short time spans of activity and resting spells. Just concerned about being laid up all day for a long period of time. I live in the woods quite a ways out of town, so I'm not expecting a lot of company-it's 60 miles round trip to town. My husband is only able to take off 2 weeks, so I have to behave!!! Which is not my strong point. Stubborn, I am....
I tend to rattle on, so I will keep this one short. Thanks to all of you, again!!!
I have a 66 degree lumbar and 48 degree thoracic curve. I've been very fortunate to be able to stay quite active in my adult life. Skiiing (snow and water), mountain biking, skating, hiking, snowmobiling, etc. I truly believe it has kept me more flexible and strong, enabling me to better stabilize my curves. I was determined in high school not to let it stop me from living my life!!!
However, the last few years HAVE been more of a challenge. Epidural injections have made the difference between working and not working. It doesn't take away all the pain, but sure takes that nasty edge off so I can still function somewhat normally.
I wore a Boston brace in HS for 3 years, and have maintained my curve degrees over the years. But I am now 48, and I have shrunk 3 inches since January... I KNEW something was changing, just by the feeling and nerve pains. Due to my age, and the rapid progression, we have scheduled surgery for January 10th. Oh man, that is hard to actually say it!! One thing to think about doing it someday, another thing ENTIRELY to actually set a date. But I have put off surgery for over 30 years-I feel fortunate to have been able to wait that long.
I will be honest, I'm pretty tough, and have a high pain tolerance (most of us scoliosis people do, I think!), but this does make me nervous. No going back. I'm scared of losing flexibility and the long healing process; of being STIFF 24/7. Scared of not being able to do some of the things I love. Scared about not being able to go back to work. I manage a bakery, and I do heavy lifting, usually 2-3 PALLETS of somewhat heavy freight every day. 9-10 hour days with usually no breaks or lunches. The joys of management!! Hours have been cut to the extent that I am pretty much it, as far as labor. No one to delegate TO! I don't know if I will ever be able to have a full release, which is to be able to consistently lift 50 lbs. And they have NO light duty option. It is all or nothing. I've wondered about ADA and if they could be forced to just help me with freight... I've worked there all my adult life, and don't know anything else. Scary to think of losing your career...
I know everyone is different, but I am wondering how to set up my bedroom for the homecoming. I am a type "A" personality, and never sit still. So I've bought a netbook for staying in touch with this site, and my friends and family on FB and email. I bought a new ipod and loaded it with my entire music library (over 3,000 songs, YAY!), set up the TV and DVD player.
I've been buying up books like crazy. I have a lap top tray. My mother has a walker I can use.
I guess I'm wondering how long, on average, you have to resort to these activities. I can find things to do around the house, but how long before most of you were able to be up at least part of the day? I'm fine with short time spans of activity and resting spells. Just concerned about being laid up all day for a long period of time. I live in the woods quite a ways out of town, so I'm not expecting a lot of company-it's 60 miles round trip to town. My husband is only able to take off 2 weeks, so I have to behave!!! Which is not my strong point. Stubborn, I am....
I tend to rattle on, so I will keep this one short. Thanks to all of you, again!!!
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