Well, it's official! I'm going for it! Thank you so much to all of you who have commented on my posts, answered my questions, and supported me as I worked through this monumental decision.
I met with my surgeon on Thursday, and went over everything all over again. I asked him to show me how he'd correct the curves, and as he did I was pretty shocked that he said because of how progressed my curves are now, especially the lumbar curve, he would only be able to correct to about 15-20 degrees. He then went on to say that if I continue to wait to have the surgery, that number could increase because of the stiffening of the muscles and spine etc. It was a BIG eye opener for me. I DON'T want to wait for that to happen. If I'm going to do it, I want to do it now, while he can still get the curves almost straight. (He DID reassure me that most people don't ever get complete correction at my age/progression, but he hopes to get it under 15-20, but he'll have to see once I'm on the table. He also said my rib hump and severe rotation will be completely gone which is VERY exciting!)
He also told me that because of the severeness of my lumbar curve, I will have to be fused to my sacrum!!!! I wasn't expecting that because earlier he had said he would probably stop at the L-5. But after going over my x-rays he has decided it would give me a lot more support, and it wouldn't be worth the risk of being unstable. I am still adjusting/absorbing that idea, but as I was already expecting to be fused to L-5, I don't think those few extra vertebras would have given me that much more flexibility. I also am kind of relieved to know it will all be DONE. I wont have to worry about those bottom discs herniating due to the pressure of such a long fusion. The fusion will probably start at T1, but he is going to have me do bending x-rays before he decides on that for sure.
It's such a hard decision, but it comes down to this for me: even if I knew FOR SURE I wouldn't NEED the surgery until I was 50, I would still rather have the surgery NOW when I'm young, strong and healthy. I can't imagine my curves progressed over 60 degrees, and the pain and discomfort I already have getting worse. I want the best outcome possible, and the younger you are, the better the outcome (Lord willing!).
I am afraid of the HUGE changes I will face. But, I am already struggling with bending over, and for the most part bend from my waist as it is. It will be a challenge, but I'd rather struggle with getting things off the floor, than with not being able to breathe.
I can already feel a lot of anxiety and cold feet about this. I was telling a friend it feels like I'm strapped into a roller coaster ride that I don't really want to go on lol. I may have to get some anti-anxiety something or other to get me through the month of waiting. I WANT the surgery, but I am SCARED as all get out of it, even knowing all about it. It's a lot worse at night when I'm not as able to control all the wild "what ifs" that invide my thoughts. I talk myself out of it every night and then get up in the morning and "re decide" to go through with it. ;P
Anyway, thanks again. I'll let ya'll know when I get my surgery date. It looks like it'll be in January sometime, so I won't have the anxiety attacking me for too long!
I met with my surgeon on Thursday, and went over everything all over again. I asked him to show me how he'd correct the curves, and as he did I was pretty shocked that he said because of how progressed my curves are now, especially the lumbar curve, he would only be able to correct to about 15-20 degrees. He then went on to say that if I continue to wait to have the surgery, that number could increase because of the stiffening of the muscles and spine etc. It was a BIG eye opener for me. I DON'T want to wait for that to happen. If I'm going to do it, I want to do it now, while he can still get the curves almost straight. (He DID reassure me that most people don't ever get complete correction at my age/progression, but he hopes to get it under 15-20, but he'll have to see once I'm on the table. He also said my rib hump and severe rotation will be completely gone which is VERY exciting!)
He also told me that because of the severeness of my lumbar curve, I will have to be fused to my sacrum!!!! I wasn't expecting that because earlier he had said he would probably stop at the L-5. But after going over my x-rays he has decided it would give me a lot more support, and it wouldn't be worth the risk of being unstable. I am still adjusting/absorbing that idea, but as I was already expecting to be fused to L-5, I don't think those few extra vertebras would have given me that much more flexibility. I also am kind of relieved to know it will all be DONE. I wont have to worry about those bottom discs herniating due to the pressure of such a long fusion. The fusion will probably start at T1, but he is going to have me do bending x-rays before he decides on that for sure.
It's such a hard decision, but it comes down to this for me: even if I knew FOR SURE I wouldn't NEED the surgery until I was 50, I would still rather have the surgery NOW when I'm young, strong and healthy. I can't imagine my curves progressed over 60 degrees, and the pain and discomfort I already have getting worse. I want the best outcome possible, and the younger you are, the better the outcome (Lord willing!).
I am afraid of the HUGE changes I will face. But, I am already struggling with bending over, and for the most part bend from my waist as it is. It will be a challenge, but I'd rather struggle with getting things off the floor, than with not being able to breathe.
I can already feel a lot of anxiety and cold feet about this. I was telling a friend it feels like I'm strapped into a roller coaster ride that I don't really want to go on lol. I may have to get some anti-anxiety something or other to get me through the month of waiting. I WANT the surgery, but I am SCARED as all get out of it, even knowing all about it. It's a lot worse at night when I'm not as able to control all the wild "what ifs" that invide my thoughts. I talk myself out of it every night and then get up in the morning and "re decide" to go through with it. ;P
Anyway, thanks again. I'll let ya'll know when I get my surgery date. It looks like it'll be in January sometime, so I won't have the anxiety attacking me for too long!
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