You all sound very positive here. I'm hoping some of it will rub off onto me.
I am 57 y.o. and am scheduled for surgery March 10, 2009. T5-S1. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at age 13 and offered surgery and 12 months in a cast. I begged my mother not to make me go through it and the Dr. agreed that it was pretty drastic and a "wait and see" might be reasonable. I had no progression, no pain, no symptoms whatsoever until my 50s. I noticed my "scoliosis shape" increasing and becoming noticeable. I also noticed I was losing height. So far, I have lost 6 cm. I still don't have pain, though I did have a ruptured disc in my lumbar area in 2000 and I now have osteoarthritis in that area. The worst symptom for me, is the rib hump which I loathe.
I am very fearful of this surgery, my first surgery ever. Emotionally, I spiralled downward after seeing the Orth. Surgeon in June and I cancelled my original surgical date of September 16 and my doctor put me on anti-anxiety medication which has helped enormously. It still weighs on my mind but I can get on with life...but it's still 5 months out and I'm not sure how I will cope in that last month or so. I am a terrible sook, in fact, I think it's probably more a phobia because I've always been terrified of anything medical. But I know I must have this surgery to maintain my active, painfree lifestyle, because I've been very lucky until now.
Cheers,
Jen
I am 57 y.o. and am scheduled for surgery March 10, 2009. T5-S1. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at age 13 and offered surgery and 12 months in a cast. I begged my mother not to make me go through it and the Dr. agreed that it was pretty drastic and a "wait and see" might be reasonable. I had no progression, no pain, no symptoms whatsoever until my 50s. I noticed my "scoliosis shape" increasing and becoming noticeable. I also noticed I was losing height. So far, I have lost 6 cm. I still don't have pain, though I did have a ruptured disc in my lumbar area in 2000 and I now have osteoarthritis in that area. The worst symptom for me, is the rib hump which I loathe.
I am very fearful of this surgery, my first surgery ever. Emotionally, I spiralled downward after seeing the Orth. Surgeon in June and I cancelled my original surgical date of September 16 and my doctor put me on anti-anxiety medication which has helped enormously. It still weighs on my mind but I can get on with life...but it's still 5 months out and I'm not sure how I will cope in that last month or so. I am a terrible sook, in fact, I think it's probably more a phobia because I've always been terrified of anything medical. But I know I must have this surgery to maintain my active, painfree lifestyle, because I've been very lucky until now.
Cheers,
Jen
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