Former 80's Philly Shriner's Kid w/2 ops
Hi Debbie!
I also had two scoliosis ops at Shriners in Philly (1982 and 1984). Spent my childhood in the "Milwaukee Brace" (there is NOTHING good to say about that thing!) Dr. Steel messed up the first one by using too short a rod. Dr. Betz fixed it the 2nd time with a 13" Harrington. I have had nothing but problems since then. In my mid-20's my 3 lowest discs were crushed due to the rod placement and the onset of flat back syndrome. I can't help but wonder if you have the same thing going on. I get pains in all my joins from my neck to my ankles because of misalignment. My body is twisting. Upper body heads one way, lower body heads the other way (it's subtle from the outside, but I FEEL it on the inside and when I walk). Knee problems, pelvis problems, you name it... So, if you haven't already done so, do a Google or www.dogpile.com for "Flat Back Syndrome" and read up on it. Not much you can do about it, but it sure does explain what's going on with your body! Depending on your currently flexibility, maybe just basic stretching excercises to keep as plyable as possible.
PS: Do you remember those really nice x-ray ladies? The crappy toys in the crappy waiting room. And the WAITING, in the waiting room? My first night in the "girls ward" we had a pizza party! That was fun. I remember the Shriners would come around often and give out new toys, games and writing stuff. OHHH, did you have to do that crazy spinal stretching contraption every few hours to "prep" your flexibility before surgery. What a crock!!!! I always got in trouble from the nurses for not doing it and hiding from it. I've been through the "six-month-walking cast", the "lay-flat-for-three-months-without-moving-body-cast", the dreaded Milwaukee and the oh-so-horrid plastic-jacket brace. Oh well, I've bent your ear enough.
Hi Debbie!
I also had two scoliosis ops at Shriners in Philly (1982 and 1984). Spent my childhood in the "Milwaukee Brace" (there is NOTHING good to say about that thing!) Dr. Steel messed up the first one by using too short a rod. Dr. Betz fixed it the 2nd time with a 13" Harrington. I have had nothing but problems since then. In my mid-20's my 3 lowest discs were crushed due to the rod placement and the onset of flat back syndrome. I can't help but wonder if you have the same thing going on. I get pains in all my joins from my neck to my ankles because of misalignment. My body is twisting. Upper body heads one way, lower body heads the other way (it's subtle from the outside, but I FEEL it on the inside and when I walk). Knee problems, pelvis problems, you name it... So, if you haven't already done so, do a Google or www.dogpile.com for "Flat Back Syndrome" and read up on it. Not much you can do about it, but it sure does explain what's going on with your body! Depending on your currently flexibility, maybe just basic stretching excercises to keep as plyable as possible.
PS: Do you remember those really nice x-ray ladies? The crappy toys in the crappy waiting room. And the WAITING, in the waiting room? My first night in the "girls ward" we had a pizza party! That was fun. I remember the Shriners would come around often and give out new toys, games and writing stuff. OHHH, did you have to do that crazy spinal stretching contraption every few hours to "prep" your flexibility before surgery. What a crock!!!! I always got in trouble from the nurses for not doing it and hiding from it. I've been through the "six-month-walking cast", the "lay-flat-for-three-months-without-moving-body-cast", the dreaded Milwaukee and the oh-so-horrid plastic-jacket brace. Oh well, I've bent your ear enough.
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