New here--surgery scheduled July 5, 2011 with Dr. Boachie

[boomergal]

Hi, everyone,

I'm new here. I just got my date set for surgery--July 5th with Dr. Boachie. I've been reading the forum posts for a few months--I should have started earlier, but I think I was in denial about my condition (I'm achy sometimes but rarely have pain). I've learned so much from the forum, and it's wonderful to see the support people give each other.

I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 16 but the local orthopedist I saw said no treatment was necessary. At the end of senior year in high school my pediatrician said I should see another doctor so my parents took me to a scoliosis specialist. I was fitted with a Milwaukee brace, which I wore 23 hours a day during my first year of college. Then I decided I'd had enough and that was it--no more brace--and I never saw an orthopedist again until I was 31, pregnant and having lower back pain. No treatment was advised, and I'm embarassed to say, I don't remember exactly what my curves were at that time, or what they were in high school--never got the records and they are no longer extant. I think they were in the low 30's in high school and in the 40's when I was 31. In 2003, they were thoracic 50 and lumbar 41, and surgery was not advised at that point. By last December my curves had increased to 57 thoracic and 43 lumbar.

Dr. Boachie is planning to fuse from T2 or T3 to T12.

boomergal
54 years old
T57, L43
surgery scheduled with Dr. Boachie 7/05/11

[Doodles]

Boomergal--
As a fellow Boomer let me be the first to say we're here and happy to help and lend support. As you already know there's some really great people here. I was supposed to have the brace too and freaked out in 8th grade and totally refused. There was an interesting thread on here a while back about the psychological effects of wearing the brace. Anyway...you've got the surgery date and now you need to get yourself mentally and physically ready to take on the challenge! Best wishes! Janet

[golfnut]

Boomergal,
Welcome to the forum. It's quite a support group and I don't know what I would have done without it in the 13 months waiting for surgery. I seldom had pain either pre-op, but I am still very happy I had the surgery. I feel like I've improved my chances to continue with an active life many years down the road. I have received so many compliments about my new improved straighter body which is a plus, as well. When I go shopping, I no longer have to worry about hiding my rib hump when looking at tops or dresses. Don't hesitate to ask questions. There are so many on this forum who have helped me so much.

[JenniferG]

Welcome from another boomer. There are a lot of very knowledgable people here, all willing to help get you through this so if there's anything at all you'd like to discuss, fire away. I probably wouldn't have made it to surgery without this forum and I'm so glad I did. Good luck!

[Lorz]

I, too, am having surgery this summer, with Dr. Boachie. This forum has been a tremendous help to me, and I have "met" so many wonderful people. If I can help you, in any way, just ask. I certainly will be able to give you more information after June 7th (my surgery date, Yikes!!)

[boomergal]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes. My surgery date still seems far enough away that I'm not too anxious, but I know that I'm going to be a nervous wreck before long. Right now I feel sort of excited that I'm getting this big thing taken care of, and I'm trying to get in shape physically. (In January I joined a gym for the first time in my life--I'd never even used a treadmill before. I'm surprised to find I like using the machines and feel sad that I won't be able to workout for awhile after the surgery.) Maybe the hardest thing is to be prepared mentally for the long recovery.

Lorz--Thanks, I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions. This forum is a great thing!

boomergal
54 years old
T57, L43
surgery scheduled with Dr. Boachie 7/05/11

[golfnut]

Boomergal,
You'll be surprised how much exercise you will get after surgery. Thank goodness the surgery isn't like it was 50 years ago when people were braced and stayed in bed for 6 months. For the first month, I just walked around the house since it was January, but soon I was going to the Y as much as possible to walk the track or to use the pool. I miss going to the workout room and to the classes, but I still feel like I'm staying in shape. I bought a pedometer and have set goals for myself. I'm hoping to get a few more liberties with exercising in another month or two. Good for you for getting in shape for the surgery. I think it increases your odds of a smooth recovery. I know you have a well respected surgeon, as well.