decisions, decisions and different opinions

[Pooka1]

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.

[titaniumed]

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

[jrnyc]

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

thanks....
jess

[titaniumed]

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

[Confusedmom]

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!

[Confusedmom]

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

[LindaRacine]

I'm exhausted just reading that! ;-) Best of luck!

[mabeckoff]

Glad that all went well and that you got home OK

[rohrer01]

I'm exhausted just reading that! ;-) Best of luck!

Ditto that!

[golfnut]

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.

[Spring72]

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,

[hasteffen]

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

[TwinmomTN]

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.

[Confusedmom]

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

[mabeckoff]

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