Returning to work
Hi, welcome to the forum. I am one of the other bent/formerly bent RN's here that Susan mentioned. I had my original T8-sacrum/pelvis fusion in 2010 at the age of 42, though I have unfortunately had two large revisions since then for broken rods. I want to encourage you to keep your options open about returning to work until after surgery. No one can accurately predict whether or not you will be able to return, and it would seem wise to keep your options open. You can fill out the medical leave paperwork for a 4-6 month leave, then reevaluate at the end of that period. My surgeon told me he didn't know for sure if I would be able to return to work. Susan is right that your level of determination has a lot to do with it! Please find the best surgeon you can, someone who does major adult scoliosis surgeries regularly, not just a regular spine surgeon, even if this means you can't see your mother for a week. Your outcome is dependent on your surgeon's skill.
Stairs were no problem for me.
Best of luck, and feel free to ask any questions here.
Gayle, age 50
Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1
mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
2017 curves stable/skeletely mature
also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable