My experiences....

[Louisse]

Thanks for posting your best wishes Suzie and Lynn. Yes those screws sure look scary - very impressive when you show pics to people!!!
I am very pleased with the results - a 200% correction from approx 70 'c' upper thoracic curve to a 20 degree with small compensatory at the bottom which I am hoping will in time straighten out a little. My surgeon was very pleased with the result considering my age.
All the best to you Lynn - I can soooo sympathise with your waiting - hang on in there girl - your time will come and the waiting will soon be all over with.
Louisse
Ps - my scar is amazing - can hardly see it in some places - I have been very lucky that it has healed so well.

[wendyh]

Hi Louisse!!!!

I was sooooo happy to read you post. I had my surgery on Oct 6th. It was a lumbar correction from tail to T10 / 50 degress to 3 degress. I pretty much have been doing everything. walking, shopping, wrapping, going out to dinner, etc, etc ,etc and wondering why I feel like crap most of the time. Your made me feel so normal. I am totally numb all around my low back and have pretty much constant pain when walking or standing on my low right side (where I used to and where he did the most work). I feel like I am raw and have a constantly pulled muscle. I KNOW I am doing alot and maybe too much but I was so active before the surgery that I think I go into denial and wonder why I'm not better. I don't have anyone around me except physical therapy to tell me that this could take 6 months to a year to really feel normal and it hasn;t even been 3 months. Next week my sister and I are going to Florida from Ct. for 5 days to take a break .My husband is going to take care of my 5 year old and hopefully I will relax and swim and sit by the pool. I am going to get a 'metal' card from my Dr for the airport I KNOW i am doing great but does anyone ever worry that they will be in chronic pain forever?
I cut back the round the clock pain meds to 2 pills (dilaudid 2mg) per day.....so a total of 4mgs a day. My Dr says this is fine and when my pain goes down to a better level I will not have withdrawels. I love it that I am straight and almost 2 inches taller but can't wait to JUST BE NORMAL and not feel like a walking stiff. Please check out my pics (I love to show off my beautiful daughter!) she has saved my life through this-my wonderful husband too......thanks for listening to me vent. wendy-age 49-in Conn.

[wendyh]

Spellcheck

Please excuse my bad spelling. I rely too much on spellcheck! Wendy in Ct.

[Louisse]

Hi Wendy

Thanks for your post - great before and after pics wow 2 inches taller - I just made about 1 inch!!! It was great to read how you felt my post helped you - 'made you feel normal' I have gained so much from everyone else's posts so it is good to help! There are many different experiences to read on here isn't there and you can't help but compare?

You are right your daughter is a beautiful girl - don't we mums just love to show off our kids - I'm just the same. Great photos of you too - 49? you sure?

You sound real busy and this is probably why you are still sore - but keep using those muscles and things do improve. I'm still so sore and achey all the time but things are improving slowly (now nearly 4 months post op) if I remind myself how I was feeling a few months ago!

I hope you have or 'are having' a fab time in Florida.

Thanks again for your reply - it was great to read.

Louisse