Well, here they are! I am very happy with my outcome. It doesn't even look like I have scoliosis, even with two, 35 degree curves left in there! Hard to believe I had 70 degree curves. Because my bones are so dense, (lots of weight lifting over the years) she was able to use smaller pelvic fixation screws. Because of the smaller size, they don't extend across my SI joint. Apparently, that joint can still move after fixation, and can cause pain and issues. I have been so fortunate throughout this whole ordeal! All my outcomes have been better than expected, or I have been able to take the lesser of two evils. I sure feel for you guys with complications. It is hard enough to deal with scoliosis, surgery and recovery without them...
I am so glad to be driving. There is something about being confined to the house without transportation-it's a trapped feeling. Even if I don't go anywhere, just the fact that I CAN is so liberating. I get to start therapy soon- about 4 more weeks, and I plan on swimming, too. I will also be out of my brace at that time. I wasn't very thrilled about wearing a brace, but have actually been thankful for the reminder to NOT do some things I may have done without it. A couple nights ago, I had taken it off to go to bed, and was brushing my teeth. I bent over to rinse out my mouth and get water from the faucet. It was definitely an "oh crap" moment-what did I just do??? What was most amazing is the fact that I was actually doing it. The brace has also helped support my back when I have been tired and had to be out for long hours to go to town.
For those of you worrying about flexibility afterwards, it is nothing like I imagined. It is so much less confining than I thought it would be. I am not lifting or twisting, and even so early, I haven't found anything I can't do. Sometimes slower, or sometimes with a little body adjustment, but I am still amazed at how much better I am than I truly feared I would be. We tend to dwell on our worries and they get blown out of proportion. Mine was all for nothing... I can't wait to see how it is when my fusion is complete and I won't have to worry about accidently twisting or bending.
Here are some before and after xrays and pics. They were just papers that were run off for me, and I took pics of those to post, so they are a little fuzzy...
post op anterior.jpg
post op side view.jpg
lumbar curve.jpg
Before surgery.jpg
After surgery.jpg
I am so glad to be driving. There is something about being confined to the house without transportation-it's a trapped feeling. Even if I don't go anywhere, just the fact that I CAN is so liberating. I get to start therapy soon- about 4 more weeks, and I plan on swimming, too. I will also be out of my brace at that time. I wasn't very thrilled about wearing a brace, but have actually been thankful for the reminder to NOT do some things I may have done without it. A couple nights ago, I had taken it off to go to bed, and was brushing my teeth. I bent over to rinse out my mouth and get water from the faucet. It was definitely an "oh crap" moment-what did I just do??? What was most amazing is the fact that I was actually doing it. The brace has also helped support my back when I have been tired and had to be out for long hours to go to town.
For those of you worrying about flexibility afterwards, it is nothing like I imagined. It is so much less confining than I thought it would be. I am not lifting or twisting, and even so early, I haven't found anything I can't do. Sometimes slower, or sometimes with a little body adjustment, but I am still amazed at how much better I am than I truly feared I would be. We tend to dwell on our worries and they get blown out of proportion. Mine was all for nothing... I can't wait to see how it is when my fusion is complete and I won't have to worry about accidently twisting or bending.
Here are some before and after xrays and pics. They were just papers that were run off for me, and I took pics of those to post, so they are a little fuzzy...
post op anterior.jpg
post op side view.jpg
lumbar curve.jpg
Before surgery.jpg
After surgery.jpg
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