-Jewish Hospital

[Guest guest]

I also had my surgery in two stages at Jewish by Dr Lawrence Lenke. We

live in Alabama so it was quite a ways from home.

Joyce

Re: scoliosis surgery

Hi, just read your posting and had to reply.

I am a 62 year old woman who had surgery in January at -Jewish

Hospital in St. Louis. Like you, I had two separate surgeries - they

were both appromately 8 hrs each. These were my 5th & 6th surgeries. I

had two broken rods and what is known as flatback syndrome. I could not

stand up straight. I could not walk without a cane or a walker

depending on how far I was going or whether or not I had to carry

packages.

You didn't mention the degree of your curve or the types of problems you

are having, but I assume, that in order for the doctor to recommend

surgery,it is progressive or above 45 degrees.

I can't tell you that the surgery isn't painful and I was scared every

time I had surgery. However , I am now able to walk without a cane, and

I am standing very straight.

All I can tell you is it was worth every pain. If you are having half

the problems that I had, having the surgerywill be much worth it.

I wish you luck and will pray for you that you feel that you are doing

the right thing - It did help me.

Please let me know how you are doing. God Bless.

y

>

> Hi I am 45 years old. I am scheduled for surgery on two dates 09-03-08

> and 09-08-08. The first surgery will be approx. 10 hours and the

second

> could be the same but it is less stress to do two surgeries. I am just

> very scared but yet exited I may finally be " normal " spine wise. I

have

> a 16 year old daughter who is ok with me having the surgery. Can I

> please ask for some assurance that I am doing the right thing. Thanks

> to all.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

Thank you so much for the response. I have never really asked to what degree

my scoliosis is this last doctor told me it is a very nice S. I walk leaning to

the right and now also forward trying to fight to straighten up.

I have had 5 previous back surgeries by a neurosurgeon; he felt it is time for

more of a specialist to come in to play. I am seeing a Dr. Koski at

Northwestern Memorial Medical center in Chicago, IL which is 50 miles east of

Batavia where I live.

Can I please ask you a question or two? I know I will find out soon enough

but I just need general answers. I'm told I will be in the hospital 2 to 3

weeks, then 2 months on restrictions. My question is were you able to do stairs

when you got home?

I have a lot of testing to have done before the surgeries but I can handle

that.

If you would like to communicate via e mail my email address is

dawnburghardt@.... Thank you so much.

I hope you are better each day.

Dawn

joyce edmonds <bichon4me@...> wrote:

I also had my surgery in two stages at Jewish by Dr Lawrence

Lenke. We live in Alabama so it was quite a ways from home.

Joyce

Re: scoliosis surgery

Hi, just read your posting and had to reply.

I am a 62 year old woman who had surgery in January at -Jewish

Hospital in St. Louis. Like you, I had two separate surgeries - they

were both appromately 8 hrs each. These were my 5th & 6th surgeries. I

had two broken rods and what is known as flatback syndrome. I could not

stand up straight. I could not walk without a cane or a walker

depending on how far I was going or whether or not I had to carry

packages.

You didn't mention the degree of your curve or the types of problems you

are having, but I assume, that in order for the doctor to recommend

surgery,it is progressive or above 45 degrees.

I can't tell you that the surgery isn't painful and I was scared every

time I had surgery. However , I am now able to walk without a cane, and

I am standing very straight.

All I can tell you is it was worth every pain. If you are having half

the problems that I had, having the surgerywill be much worth it.

I wish you luck and will pray for you that you feel that you are doing

the right thing - It did help me.

Please let me know how you are doing. God Bless.

y

>

> Hi I am 45 years old. I am scheduled for surgery on two dates 09-03-08

> and 09-08-08. The first surgery will be approx. 10 hours and the

second

> could be the same but it is less stress to do two surgeries. I am just

> very scared but yet exited I may finally be " normal " spine wise. I

have

> a 16 year old daughter who is ok with me having the surgery. Can I

> please ask for some assurance that I am doing the right thing. Thanks

> to all.

>