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I Drove!!!!!

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  • I Drove!!!!!

    ...And they said it couldn't be done...! and in a stick-shift, yet!!! I can't begin to tell you all how good it felt to drive around the block. The weak leg did FINE. And the weirdest thing was how HIGH I now sit in the seat!!! I actually had to remove the pillow I used to use for height!!!!

    I'm still very awkward getting in and out of the car...and don't feel ready to drive alone...but.....wow. It really does get better.

    Chris
    A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
    Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
    Post-op curve: 12 degrees
    Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

  • #2
    Congratulations!

    Way to go, Chris! Congratulations on your spin around the block! I'm hoping to have that same sense of accomplishment, control and freedom in the next few weeks. I can't wait. One of my friends offered to put up cones and police tape in the neighborhood for my first attempt. Hopefully, neither one of us will need that.
    Linda W.
    Linda
    Two-stage A/P fusion T6-S1 with lumbar implants June 12 & June 27, 2007 at age 57
    S curve 75+ degrees with kyphosis
    Now 45 degrees and standing 3 inches taller!
    Dr. Frank Rand, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston

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    • #3
      Congrats to both of you! I still remember so clearly the feelings of accomplishment when I first drove down the street & around the block several months after surgery! A whole new world!!!!!
      Just think of all you have accomplished & the rewards ahead.....
      Lynne

      Comment


      • #4
        Several months? My doctor seemed to suggest I'll be driving 2 weeks after surgery -- is that even possible?

        I'll really need to be able to drive a month post-op.... Did any of you (Particularly you, Lisa, since you're in Boston!) use the T, or any other subway system before you could drive? I live about a 15minute walk from the T, but could potentially take that to work (it's another 5 minute walk at the other end) if I can't drive...

        Congrats to you!
        2000 34*L/39*T
        2007 44*L/53*T

        12.3.07 Posterior Spinal Fusion T4-T12
        (initially planned T4-L1)
        12.18.07 11*L/10*T

        23 years old

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        • #5
          What an awesome feeling that must be. I'm happy for you!!! And you actually feel taller behind the wheel. I know that I will certainly feel better once I'm able to drive
          A/P Surgery Oct.15 and 18, 2007
          T2 to Sacrum
          Pre-surgery 56* T 60* L
          Post-surgery 28* T 30* L
          Dr. Pashman, Cedars-Sinai Hospital
          Bevery Hills, CA

          Debbie, age 51 at surgery.
          Now, 59 yrs young :-)

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          • #6
            Congrats Chris!!!!
            Sounds like you're doing great! It's great to hear all the milestones of recovery. Thanks for your advice regarding surgery. I was feeling so good about everything.... then I saw my brother today and his Ortho. surgeon friend said, "Tell your sister to never, never have surgery on her back." Great, thanks "friend." Then I started having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. I just told my brother about this forum and all the positive stories - I left it at that.
            Thanks, Ashley

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            • #7
              Yes! Yes! Yes! Congrats, Chris. That is a really big milestone - I wonder if it feels even better than when you learned to drive as a teenager.

              I sent you a pm.
              As of 12/25/07, age 62, 100* thoracic kyphosis, 73* L1-S1 lordosis, 37*/25* compensatory S-curve scoliosis. On 12/26/07, Dr. Boachie @ HSS NYC did 11 hours ant. & post. procedures, fused T2-L2, kyphosis now 57*, scoli 10*. Regained 2 1/4 inches in height!! Improving every day.

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              • #8
                Wow! you didn't waste any time!! I have a stickstift too, and I think I does make it a little harder, but, it sure won't stop us, huh?? I'm happy for you! Lisa
                Lisa age 47
                T curve 69 degrees
                L curve 40 degrees more or less - compensatory
                fused to from T-3 to sacrum
                anterior and posterior surgeries completed June 1, 2007
                pushing hard in recovery !!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Heyy there!
                  do u really see a difference in you height after the surgery?
                  I also heard that not just by having surgery, but if my back
                  gets straighter, ill be growing much more!
                  I feel ive grown a lot.. but im not sure if its due to my back
                  or just cuz im growing! =]] hehe

                  Check out my site!!!
                  www.myscoliosisstory.com!!!!!!!!
                  My name is Rotem
                  I am 13 and in 7th grade
                  Started with 2 curves:
                  34º Therotical
                  50º Lumber
                  I currently wear a Cheneau Brace
                  Got my 1st on Nov. '06
                  Got my 2nd on Nov. '07
                  Just got my 3rd one today (May7 '08)
                  and im still trying to get used to it
                  Hoping I won't need surgery
                  I live in South Florida
                  3rd check on November 17,2007,
                  Got an X-ray done Feb. 5th, with EXCELLENT news!
                  30º Theoratical
                  37º Lumber
                  4th check on May 7, 2008

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank you all!

                    Yes, ScoliosisGirl, most people are at least a little taller after their surgery.
                    Chris
                    A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                    Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                    Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                    Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      hello scoliosisgirl-

                      I gained 1 1/2 inches post-op. I have heard of more than that from the other members- Nice website! Good luck with your progress... Lisa
                      Lisa age 47
                      T curve 69 degrees
                      L curve 40 degrees more or less - compensatory
                      fused to from T-3 to sacrum
                      anterior and posterior surgeries completed June 1, 2007
                      pushing hard in recovery !!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I remember when the doctor told my daughter she could drive post-op. We told him that she wasn't allowed and he said she was. He forgot that she was only 14
                        T12- L5 fusion 1975 - Rochester, NY
                        2002 removal of bottom of rod and extra fusion
                        3/1/11 C5-C6 disc replacement
                        Daughter - T7 - L3 fusion 2004

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                        • #13
                          Driving problems?

                          I've been driving a few months now and it's getting easier, but I'm still having trouble adjusting my seat. If I lean it back to a comfortable position, I feel like a "cruiser" and lose visability. If I sit it up straight, the bend of my legs is perpenticular to my body, and after some time, begins to ache. I've even had my leg "fall asleep" in this position. Does anyone else have this problem and/or a solution?
                          Cathy, age 60
                          A/P fusion surgeries April 2007,
                          T2-sacrum
                          Dr. Pashman, Cedars-Sinai, L.A.
                          T correction 45 - 24 degrees
                          L correction 66 - 46 degrees

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Way to go Chris,

                            My first drive was such a triumph for me also. I didn't go far, and felt like a nervous teenager, but I felt like it was a huge stride, as I'm sure you do also!!!

                            Congrats,
                            Shari

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Vndy... driving at 2 weeks post-op seems extremely optimistic, I wonder if he meant to say 2 months? Unless he is operating using some wonderful non-invasive technique which hasn't filtered out to the rest of us yet.
                              1994 curve at age 13, 70 degrees, untreated
                              2000 Anterior fusion with instrumentation T9-L2, corrected to 36 degrees, 14 degree angle between fused and un-fused thoracic spine.
                              2007 26 degrees junctional scoliosis
                              Revision surgery, 6th December 2007 T4 to L3, Posterior approach.
                              msandham.blogspot.com

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