Surgery tomorrow 1/7/13

[JenniferG]

Thank you for your updates! Seems like Libby's doing really well. To be leaving the hospital so quickly after three surgeries, is amazing.

[Wish2bstraight]

Hello out there in scoliosis land

It's me, Libby. Before I forget, I just want to say thank you one and all for you best wishes and prayers. They helped me get through. I did not have any easy time and was ready to quit in the middle of the surgeries. Ther was one that I really wanted to say enough. Not sure if it was after the first or second surgery. My memory is in a black hole somewhere. Today, I am feeling more like myself, basically up in the chair all day and not in bed. Nurse is coming in to see me, will write again soon.

Thanks again,

Libby

[golfnut]

It's good to hear from you. You sound great after going through three surgeries. I can't even imagine. Best of luck with a smooth recovery. It gets a little better each week.

[Confusedmom]

Libby,

You sound like you're doing amazingly well--up in the chair all day!!! Congrats!!! You are on "the other side!" You did it!!!!!

Evelyn

[Wish2bstraight]

Stayed in the hair too long. Feet are ow swollen, so my plan is to spend some time in the chair and some in the bed. I have trouble trying to find a good comfortable spot sitting imbed. Thebraceissowarmthatk actually went back to bed this morningsoi could remove it and use my friend the in spirometer, or whatever you call it.

[JuliaAnn]

Wow, you sound like you're doing so well! I couldn't sit all day in a chair till I was well into my second month of recovery. I spent most of every day in bed, just getting up to walk around the house with the walker numerous times a day and even night, and then lying back down.

To stay comfortable in bed, I had to use a whole pile of feather pillows, which could be squished for support anywhere I needed support the most. For the first couple weeks at home after surgery, my sons propped up a padded board on my bed, which had two feather pillows covering it so it was smooth and soft. I kept that incline in my bed all the time because it was more restful than lying flat. I also kept another pillow under my thighs and knees when I used the incline, pretty much like an adjustable hospital bed.

I hope you can find some comfort. Please allow yourself plenty of rest. When I was feeling a bit better, I still spent many hours being still each day for the first 7 weeks. I told family and friends I was exhausted because I was busy building new bone cells every day.
Perhaps you can ask a nurse if you can have your legs massaged while you are lying down. I found that very helpful for the first month. It kept me from aching as much because I was used to walking a lot.
I'm thinking about you and keeping you in prayer.

[susancook]

Libby, I am worried about you! How are you? I have surgery scheduled on March 19 and 22, so a 2 day surgery. I will remember your post about wanting to cancel surgery after the first day, knowing that more is to come. The second day for me will have all of the posterior repair done and will be the big day.

Someone on their forum said that at 2 weeks, she regretted having surgery, but when things started to improve, that she was pleased with the surgery. So, this may be your lowest point, and it sounds like things will improve with time.

Just remember that with us older ladies with degeneration, in many ways there really isn't an option not to have surgery. And the longer that you wait the "more crooked and more in pain" (a quote from Dr. Hu) you will be.

Sending good thoughts your way and healing vibes!
Hugs, Susan