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Heading into NYC tomorrow afternoon...surgery Wednesday morning.
I think I'm ready...
Cathy
2 sons, one Syracuse University graduate (working for the Mets now), one college sophomore, one great husband and two fabulous cats
54 years old March 5
AIS 45 degrees Thoracic at 14, Milwaukee brace for one year in 1977 then in 2012 I found Dr. Baron Lonner ❤️
Surgery April 8 2015
Presurgical curves T77 L66
Post surgical T27 L22
Fused T3-S1 pelvic fixation, osteotomies and all the other stuff but you know what? It's done...
Hi Cathy,
I just wanted to wish you luck and let you know I am thinking of you this week. Have been reading some of your recent posts and I can totally relate to what you're going through. The anticipation in those last few weeks is the worst and then you just sort of settle in and "let it go." You've made a decision that is going to improve your quality of life forever, you have an excellent surgeon and you just kind of have to relinquish control. And that's really hard for most of us. I am so very, very thankful for the new lease on life that Dr. Lonner gave me and looking back, it was worth all the struggle, anxiety, fear and discomfort. Everyone is different and you may find your recovery is not as difficult as you anticipate. I know, it's good to be prepared for the worst case scenario but even with complications, I was singing a choral concert a little less than 3 months after my surgery. Stay positive, stay strong, don't be afraid to ask for help and know that all of your forum buddies are pulling for you. If there's anything I can do for you along the way in your recovery, please don't hesitate to contact me. Godspeed!
Anne in PA
Age 58
Diagnosed at age 14, untreated, no problem until age 50
T4 to sacrum fusion 63 thoracic now 35, 92 lumbar now 53
Dr. Baron Lonner, 2/2/10 Am pain-free, balanced, happy & an inch taller !
Peg
61 yrs old
75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!
Cathy,
I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. Anne said everything so well that have nothing to add. My recovery was much easier than I had anticipated, although it takes a lot of patience.
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/
Have your hubby post so we know how you are doing. Write down your username and password for him.
Your ready, you can do this....
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
Ann said it all really. Best of luck for a smooth journey.
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
Cathy
Thinking of you today,
When you read this it will be all over. Wishing you all the best with your recovery.
We know it will not be easy for the first while but like Ed always says " Deep Breaths it will get better"
It will be my turn next Wednesday!
Marianne
rotoscoliosis, subluxation and spinal stenosis
Surgery April 15, 2015 at age 67
T11-L5
Decompression with multiple discectomies
Concord cages @ L2-3, L3-4, L4-5
Osteotomies and local bone grafting
Revision Feb.22, 2018
Replaced rods
Took out L5 disk to free up nerves
Used BPM to help with fusing
Fused T10-S1 with screws in pelvis
So here I am two weeks and one day out. I'm not going to get into details of what a horrible first night it was and how the morphine made me itch so badly that I had to grab the oxygen things off my face until it was all scratched up, or that they had to freaking restrain me which was no fun at all. I also am not going to talk about how horrible night nurses were at Beth Israel because the day nurses were fantastic and most of the night nurses were great. What I am going to talk about is what a great idea it was for my husband to get a night private care assistant to stay with me all night long the whole time I was in the hospital cash out-of-pocket. I also want to mention Dr. Lonner 's incredible team including his thoracic surgeon whose name I believe I cannot believe I forgot I think it might've been Kleinman, and his amazing plastic surgeon who enabled me to use my arms 90% of the way immediately by meticulously reattaching all the muscles whoever they belonged to. My husband and I are camped out in the living room me I am at a hospital bed which is fantastic because of the adjustability and he is just all over the big couch which is huge so he's comfortable too. I do want to mention the only complication that I had was the hip surgery my right hip where they screwed in the screw has given me more pain than the entire rest my body. After x-rays and sonograms and CAT scans nothing showed up which means it's just a bunch of bullshit I actually mean healing pain but it makes it very difficult to walk, sitting and standing are nearly impossible.
The bottom line is I keep looking at myself and thinking to myself I did it I finally did it the thing I have thought about for so many years the thing that has defined for me so many years . It's done.
Cathy
2 sons, one Syracuse University graduate (working for the Mets now), one college sophomore, one great husband and two fabulous cats
54 years old March 5
AIS 45 degrees Thoracic at 14, Milwaukee brace for one year in 1977 then in 2012 I found Dr. Baron Lonner ❤️
Surgery April 8 2015
Presurgical curves T77 L66
Post surgical T27 L22
Fused T3-S1 pelvic fixation, osteotomies and all the other stuff but you know what? It's done...
Yea, Cathy! It sounds like you're semi-comfortable at home & that's a great place to be! I hope you can find relief for your hip - you'll soon be doing lots of walking! I'm approaching 6 months & sometimes I can't freaking believe I did it, either!
Peg
61 yrs old
75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!
They also tied me down so I guess I was a bad boy....that’s what everyone told me anyway. (smiley face)
Sitting is very difficult and it does take many of us a long time to get through the difficult sitting phase. It does improve but it takes a lot of time.
What happens when you stand? Where is the pain? How long are you standing? Can you walk 30 feet?
Easy does it....the first 6 weeks are hard for all of us and we have to stay strong.
Hang in there
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
Hey Ed. Yes I can walk 30 feet I can make a whole circuit of my house. I can sit but it's incredibly uncomfortable even in the bathroom. The pain starts in the joint area and radiates down the leg the outside of which leg is numb. I can shower get to the bathroom withhelp change my clothes, all that but then all I want to do is go back and curl up in my bed usually panting like a dog. At this point even making an appointment and going to see the doctor is distinctly impossible. But I love my results and I love my pictures. Here's the after photo:
Cathy
2 sons, one Syracuse University graduate (working for the Mets now), one college sophomore, one great husband and two fabulous cats
54 years old March 5
AIS 45 degrees Thoracic at 14, Milwaukee brace for one year in 1977 then in 2012 I found Dr. Baron Lonner ❤️
Surgery April 8 2015
Presurgical curves T77 L66
Post surgical T27 L22
Fused T3-S1 pelvic fixation, osteotomies and all the other stuff but you know what? It's done...
Everything will wear you out for a while. I slept 3 hours a day every day for 6 weeks, then eased off. I slept 12 hours at night and was still dopey and dozy during the day. But the time went so quickly. Sleep when your body tells you. It's the best way to heal and pass the time.
I think a short walk every day is good for your general well being, if you can. It will get better! You will be a completely different person in 3 months!
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
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