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  • #46
    Hi Evelyn,

    I re-read your post and think that your height is less than your arm span due to your curvature, not an underlying situation of arm span being longer than a straight spine. The numbers probably would not work out. (see below)

    Marfans, for example, is associated with an arm span that is > 1.05 times height. But now I am wondering if that is due to the prevalence of scoliosis and that shortening the height of this folks. Maybe no Marfans person would have a longer arm span than their height absent the curvature. But to crunch the numbers for a non-scoliotic person, if they were 5' 2", if their arm span was > 1.05 times that then their arm span would be > 5' 5"+. That is well beyond where you likely are even without a curve I think.

    Anyway, depending on how much correction you get, I think you will end up being taller than your arm span.
    Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

    No island of sanity.

    Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
    Answer: Medicine


    "We are all African."

    Comment


    • #47
      Hi Evelyn

      I think your doing the right thing. I know I waited too long that’s for sure.. I probably could have skipped my very invasive anterior if I had surgery around the age of 40. I have put a lot of thought into this.

      I had “some” sciatica when I was 40.....that was the beginning of my battles for a few years. It ended up getting pretty bad, let me tell you. Man-o-man! They should have changed the definition in Webster’s dictionary under the word pain....

      Example of revised definition

      Pain:
      1. Ed (before his surgeries)
      2. Localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder.
      3. One who annoys.

      With an 80 degree progressing curve with a tad of sciatica, I don’t think you need to question your decision anymore.

      You will gain a few inches, probably 2-4 inches. Put a mark on the wall before you go in. (smiley face)
      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

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #48
        to the definition of pain, please add "herniated disc"...

        thanks....
        jess

        Comment


        • #49
          Oh, I forgot....

          If you remember Moe Howard from the 3 stooges, he was asked by a fan what he considered his largest accomplishment, he replied that he was happy that his name was added to the word comedy in the dictionary. I thought that was interesting.

          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

          Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

          My x-rays
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

          Comment


          • #50
            Thanks Ed, Jess, and everyone for responding.

            I am hoping to gain height because that will make my body weight ideal. LOL. Nothing like moving that BMI without a diet!
            age 48
            80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
            Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
            Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
            Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
            Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

            Comment


            • #51
              Made it through pre-op

              Hi All,
              I'm on my way back from St. Louis for the big pre-op day. I can't believe this is finally here, and now I am posting info for people behind me in the process. I will give the details for those who might want to know how pre-op goes.

              We drove in from Indianapolis last night and stayed at the Parkway. (love the free cookies and popcorn in the lobby, btw.) First appt was 8:10 bone density. You lay down on a bed and they run this scanner sort of thing over you. You don't feel anything. I think the whole thing took 15 min. So, it turns out I have osteopenia. Dr. Lenke said that is not unusual and won't affect the surgery. I am only 40, so might have to take something to help prevent osteoporosis in the future.

              After bone density, it was time for an hour of x-rays. Standing, laying, bending, push-prone. Interestingly, the resident marked my curve at 75 degrees, and Dr. Lenke changed it to 83. He said the margin of error tends to get higher with larger curves. Some of the edges of the vertebrae were fuzzy, making measurement imprecise.

              10 a.m. I met with a couple of residents regarding research studies I will participate in. They are looking at the long-term effects of treated vs. Untreated lumbar scoliosis. Another study is evaluating a drug for neurological complications in surgery on large curves.

              Then Dr lenke came in and talked to my mother, husband and me. He said he would fuse to S1 even though my L5 disk is in good shape because my L5 vertebret is wedge shaped and he thought there was a 66% chance I would be back for revision within 5 years if he didn't.

              In addition, he said it's completely personal choice whether I have the surgery now or wait several years, since I am not in much pain. But he said it is nearly a 100% chance I will have debillatating pain necessitating surgery at some point, so why not get the surgery done now when there are likely to be fewer complications and get a better correction?

              After Dr. Lenke I met with Kelly, his nurse coordinator, and we went over all the logistics. I was surprised to learn people could donate blood for my specific use. I need 6 pints, so I'm not sure whether I will ask friends/family or not.

              By then it was about 1 pm, and I was 30 min late for my pre-op anesthesia appt. I went down there, where they did an EKG, blood pressure, took urine and about 8 vials of blood, and talked to me about my current medications. As I have mentioned previously, Lexapro is OUT, as it thins blood. Reflux mess are okay. Multivitamins are also out because vit E and C thin blood. They then sent me up to the 3rd floor for chest x-rays. I think this is to make sure you don't have any fluid in your lungs, but I'm not sure.

              By then it was 3 p m., and I still had to do a treadmill test in Dr lenke's office. I begged my husband to bring me a roll and drink from St Louis Bread Co., as I had not even had time for lunch!

              Last stop was a 30 minute walk on the treadmill for one of the studies Lenke/Bridwell are doing. They will compare my pain level exercising now with levels 2 years post-op. That will be interesting to see.

              We left St Louis about 4 pm, and are now about 10 minutes from home here at 9 pm in Indy. Have to pick up my kids from two different friends' houses and put us all to bed! An exhausting day, but I am starting to feel prepared for surgery.

              If any of you have made it through this whole message, you are troopers! Hope you got something out of it.

              Best,
              Evelyn
              age 48
              80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
              Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
              Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
              Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
              Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

              Comment


              • #52
                I'm exhausted just reading that! ;-) Best of luck!
                Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                Comment


                • #53
                  Glad that all went well and that you got home OK
                  Melissa

                  Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                  April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
                    I'm exhausted just reading that! ;-) Best of luck!
                    Ditto that!
                    Be happy!
                    We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                    but we are alive today!

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Evelyn,
                      Reading your journal of the day sure brought back memories. I had an MRI, in addition to all of the other tests you mentioned, which was the worst part of the day i,n my opinion, mainly because of boredom. While the preop tests brought the reality of the surgery front and center after waiting 13 months (and I know you have had your date for a lont time), I felt so much more confident about the surgery because of the thoroughness, but mainly, after meeting with Dr. Lenke. Just hearing him speak about the surgery gave me confidence that I was doing the right thing, although he doesn't push you to have the surgery but gives you the facts. I can't praise him enough. I know there are other excellent scoli doctors in our country, but we are truly fortunate to have him for our surgeon.
                      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/

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        Remembering that all too well Evelyn......it is true that anticipation, worry and waiting are the hardest parts. You are well on your way, one part down *check*.


                        Take care,
                        Spring
                        42 yrs old
                        Milwaukee braced 1983 to 1989
                        was told my curves would never progress
                        at 19yrs old 1991, T30-L38
                        2010, T38-L56--progression in one year 2011, T40-L67
                        new diagnosis-kyphoscoliosis, DDD, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, 73 degree Kyphosis
                        Surgery 1-09-12....10 hrs all posterior T4-sacrum & 2 cages
                        Dr. Lenke-St. Louis Mo.
                        Surgery to clean out infection 2-10-12
                        Revision for broken rods 1-23-14

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Thanks

                          Evelyn,
                          Thank you for sharing your story. I am currently scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Lenke in Oct. 2012 and the anticipation is very daunting. I am so glad that you decided to go forward with your surgery. Please keep us updated on your progress. I, too am wanting to do a little painting and replacing carpet. Why, I do not know! I also enjoyed reading your pre op visit and you answered my question as to if I need to stay at the Parkway Hotel overnight. I really like that hotel as well. The cookies are good.
                          Take care, you are almost there!
                          Heidi
                          Last edited by hasteffen; 02-16-2012, 03:28 PM.
                          Scheduled for surgery with Dr. Lenke Oct. 2012
                          53*T 71*L
                          Surgery 10/05/2012 T4-pelvis
                          Correction: looks perfect! Will find out how perfect at future appointments

                          Comment


                          • #58
                            Originally posted by hasteffen View Post
                            Evelyn,
                            Thank you for sharing your story. I am currently scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Lenke in Oct. 2012 and the anticipation is very daunting. I am so glad that you decided to go forward with your surgery. Please keep us updated on your progress. I, too am wanting to do a little painting and replacing carpet. Why, I do not know! I also enjoyed reading your pre op visit and you answered my question as to if I need to stay at the Parkway Hotel overnight. I really like that hotel as well. The cookies are good.
                            Take care, you are almost there!
                            Heidi
                            It's good to know exactly what to expect. I will doing my pre-op in May
                            in St. Louis also. We also have some bath renovations almost
                            completed....painting, new shower, and new higher toilet.
                            Pam, age 49
                            Thoracolumbar curves 80 and 40 corrected to 20 degrees
                            April 20, 2012 surgery with Dr. Lenke
                            T-3 to sacrum

                            Comment


                            • #59
                              Appliances?

                              Hi All,

                              I had to do about six loads of laundry today, and it got me thinking about appliances. I have a front-loader washer and dryer without the pedestal bases. Will I need to get new machines and/or bases? I will have help for 3 months, but I will be fused to sacrum, so...

                              Also, when were the rest of you able to load the bottom rack of the dishwasher?

                              And finally, for those of you who travelled for surgery, what did you do about the raised toilet seat and hand-held shower in the hotel? I guess I could take the seat I bought for home with me. Not sure about the shower though. I know I'm not supposed to get the incision wet for two weeks.

                              Thanks,
                              Evelyn
                              age 48
                              80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
                              Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
                              Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
                              Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
                              Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

                              Comment


                              • #60
                                Originally posted by Confusedmom View Post
                                Hi All,

                                I had to do about six loads of laundry today, and it got me thinking about appliances. I have a front-loader washer and dryer without the pedestal bases. Will I need to get new machines and/or bases? I will have help for 3 months, but I will be fused to sacrum, so...

                                Also, when were the rest of you able to load the bottom rack of the dishwasher?

                                And finally, for those of you who travelled for surgery, what did you do about the raised toilet seat and hand-held shower in the hotel? I guess I could take the seat I bought for home with me. Not sure about the shower though. I know I'm not supposed to get the incision wet for two weeks.

                                Thanks,
                                Evelyn
                                As far as I am concerned the pedestal bases are a must. When you book your hotel room, ask for a handicapped accessible room
                                Melissa

                                Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                                April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                                Comment

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