I met with Dr. Rand of NEBH in Boston. My curves now measure 43T/34 L (for some reason I cannot update my siggy) with significant rotation. I am in pain constantly. I am going to graduate school and I am going to pay for Cobra for 18 months so that I can have the surgery. I cannot take the student health plan offered by the college as it does not cover any pre-existing conditions. Given that my curve is increasing at a rate of 3 degrees per year, I will need the surgery eventually. I will be in school for another 7 years (Masters/PhD program). Right now I have wonderful insurance..100% coverage for the surgery. If I wait a few years I will have crappy student health insurance...in which the max allowed is 150K per year and all surgical procedures carry a 20% copayment. If the surgery costs 200K, I have to pay 20K out of pocket - impossible! And, that is IF I can find a plan that offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.
So, unless I want to wait 7 more years, I have to have the surgery before February of 2010.
I'm really, really scared. I know that this is the right choice, as I am in pain constantly, it has affected my life, I can't excercise like I used to because of pain, I wake up in pain etc. I also have a prominent rib hump which has caused a lot of emotional anguish. I am in therapy and my body image is quite horrible. The rib hump also causes me significant physical pain. I am 28 and I just feel like I shouldn't have this much pain so young!
Any advice? Any reassurance? I am not worried about the surgery as much as the recovery. Would love to hear positive stories from others.
So, unless I want to wait 7 more years, I have to have the surgery before February of 2010.
I'm really, really scared. I know that this is the right choice, as I am in pain constantly, it has affected my life, I can't excercise like I used to because of pain, I wake up in pain etc. I also have a prominent rib hump which has caused a lot of emotional anguish. I am in therapy and my body image is quite horrible. The rib hump also causes me significant physical pain. I am 28 and I just feel like I shouldn't have this much pain so young!
Any advice? Any reassurance? I am not worried about the surgery as much as the recovery. Would love to hear positive stories from others.
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