Re: Age considerations

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I read your letter with great interest, as it could have been my own a few

years back. At that time I was concentrating so very hard on being " normal "

that even talking about surgery bothered me greatly. But, in 1992, at the age

of 57, I was finally convinced by some of the doctors I worked with that the

time had come for me to do something for me. My husband and I had worked

very hard to get four children through college, etc., and thought that, at that

point, I could certainly take a break. I was fortunate because I worked in

a medical situation and had friends who were specialists in various areas of

orthopaedics/neurology. Anyway, they took my x-rays to our " parent hospital "

The Children's Hospital of Boston, and had the x-rays reviewed by the

specialists there. It was decided that I should wait no longer. I was further

put

into the hands of a wonderful (now not practicing) orthopedist who performed

the surgery on my spine. He ended up doing T6 to L5 with Harrington/Luque

system. Bone for the fusion was taken from my left rear hip. I NEVER had any

of the discomfort which I have read about that other people had from that

source for the fusion. That was 1992, and it is now 2004 and I am going to be

70 this year. Only lately have I begun to (possibly) deteriorate a bit. I

didn't tell you that my curves back then were 99 and 89 degrees. I have

always been very happy with my outcome and my doctors have always been

available

to me. I feel that I have been a very lucky person!

I cannot promise that I will be around thirty years from now to check on

your wonderful outcome. However, I can tell you that I have lived a wonderful

life, have had four children, have worked most of their lives and gotten all

four through college, etc. So, my life did turn out to be a tremendous

success! What more could I have wanted! I tell you this because I want you to

have the same great chances in life that I did!

Sincerely,

Carole M. (the elder)

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

I have met a few people with large curves, who never had surgery and

are in their 50's. I haven't kept in touch with them, so I can't give

you any contact information. The last time I heard anything about one

of the women, it was that she was almost completely bedridden because

of loss of pulmonary function. (Don't let that scare you. I think

that thoracic curves don't have that sort of significant impact until

they're over 100 degrees.)

I'm curious about what doctor you're seeing for scoliosis. Did you

mean UCSF (in which case I assume you're talking about Serena Hu)?

I've never heard that there were doctors at SF State.

--

>

> The doctor I saw at S.F. State said that she doesn't know if there

are people who manage to live a full life without complications who

don't have surgery, because she only sees people who have problems.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I just want to add my two cents to the age consideration. I am 56, a 110 degree

curve and scheduled for surgery on July 9. I do not have any noticeable

breathing problems but didn't do very well when I had the breathing test last

month. They blamed it on my scoliosis.

I have had scoliosis since I was a child but didn't start having problems with

my posture until I was 50. In the last 2 years I have progressed rapidly. If I

wasn't so bent over and falling a lot I wouldn't have the surgery. I feel like

that's when all my problems will start. After surgery. I hope I'm wrong.

Joyce

Re: Age considerations

Hi ...

I have met a few people with large curves, who never had surgery and

are in their 50's. I haven't kept in touch with them, so I can't give

you any contact information. The last time I heard anything about one

of the women, it was that she was almost completely bedridden because

of loss of pulmonary function. (Don't let that scare you. I think

that thoracic curves don't have that sort of significant impact until

they're over 100 degrees.)

I'm curious about what doctor you're seeing for scoliosis. Did you

mean UCSF (in which case I assume you're talking about Serena Hu)?

I've never heard that there were doctors at SF State.

--

>

> The doctor I saw at S.F. State said that she doesn't know if there

are people who manage to live a full life without complications who

don't have surgery, because she only sees people who have problems.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thanks for the message and for prodding my memory about the doctor's name! I

have moved several times since I saw her nearly 10 yrs ago, and the info is

buried in a box somewhere. Yes, I was mistaken, it was UCSF and Serena Hu is

the doctor I saw and should see again (though it scares me). She has a really

good rep as a surgeon. I know I really need to follow up and see if my curve

has progressed. She said usually it progresses about 1 degree a year. I'm

working up my courage!

Re: Age considerations

Hi ...

I have met a few people with large curves, who never had surgery and

are in their 50's. I haven't kept in touch with them, so I can't give

you any contact information. The last time I heard anything about one

of the women, it was that she was almost completely bedridden because

of loss of pulmonary function. (Don't let that scare you. I think

that thoracic curves don't have that sort of significant impact until

they're over 100 degrees.)

I'm curious about what doctor you're seeing for scoliosis. Did you

mean UCSF (in which case I assume you're talking about Serena Hu)?

I've never heard that there were doctors at SF State.

--

>

> The doctor I saw at S.F. State said that she doesn't know if there

are people who manage to live a full life without complications who

don't have surgery, because she only sees people who have problems.

[Guest guest]

,

That was my first back surgery, but I had had other abdominal surgeries,

etc. The curves were rapidly progressing, breathing was becoming a problem,

etc. A lot of people were anxious for me to have it done but, in the end, it

was my family who really helped! But go for it; you'll find the help you need.

We always seem to!

Carole

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Carole, for offering a positive, successful story of having surgery

over 50. Had you previously had surgery? Did you notice a rapid progression of

your curve(s) after 50? It sounds like you had a lot of great support, which is

so important, and a very positive attitude! I also assume you were in great

health as well. I know that I would have to get in much better shape and lose

20 lbs. before any type of surgery, so it's an additional motivation for me to

exercise more. Thanks again for your positive words!

Re: Age considerations

Hi ,

I read your letter with great interest, as it could have been my own a few

years back. At that time I was concentrating so very hard on being " normal "

that even talking about surgery bothered me greatly. But, in 1992, at the

age

of 57, I was finally convinced by some of the doctors I worked with that the

time had come for me to do something for me. My husband and I had worked

very hard to get four children through college, etc., and thought that, at

that

point, I could certainly take a break. I was fortunate because I worked in

a medical situation and had friends who were specialists in various areas of

orthopaedics/neurology. Anyway, they took my x-rays to our " parent hospital "

The Children's Hospital of Boston, and had the x-rays reviewed by the

specialists there. It was decided that I should wait no longer. I was

further put

into the hands of a wonderful (now not practicing) orthopedist who performed

the surgery on my spine. He ended up doing T6 to L5 with Harrington/Luque

system. Bone for the fusion was taken from my left rear hip. I NEVER had

any

of the discomfort which I have read about that other people had from that

source for the fusion. That was 1992, and it is now 2004 and I am going to

be

70 this year. Only lately have I begun to (possibly) deteriorate a bit. I

didn't tell you that my curves back then were 99 and 89 degrees. I have

always been very happy with my outcome and my doctors have always been

available

to me. I feel that I have been a very lucky person!

I cannot promise that I will be around thirty years from now to check on

your wonderful outcome. However, I can tell you that I have lived a

wonderful

life, have had four children, have worked most of their lives and gotten all

four through college, etc. So, my life did turn out to be a tremendous

success! What more could I have wanted! I tell you this because I want you

to

have the same great chances in life that I did!

Sincerely,

Carole M. (the elder)

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce

It sounds like I really have to think about the possibility of progression

worsening with age and be monitored more frequently. It is so easy to just live

with things and not think about them, of course until severe problems develop

that are impossible to ignore.

I imagine you are quite anxious about the impending surgery, I know I would be!

This is really major stuff!

I hope you are trying to take really good care of yourself, mentally,

emotionally and physically during this time. I am a great believer in positive

thoughts and visualizations. Hang in there and I hope all goes wonderfully for

you. Be sure to let me know!

Re: Age considerations

Hi ...

I have met a few people with large curves, who never had surgery and

are in their 50's. I haven't kept in touch with them, so I can't give

you any contact information. The last time I heard anything about one

of the women, it was that she was almost completely bedridden because

of loss of pulmonary function. (Don't let that scare you. I think

that thoracic curves don't have that sort of significant impact until

they're over 100 degrees.)

I'm curious about what doctor you're seeing for scoliosis. Did you

mean UCSF (in which case I assume you're talking about Serena Hu)?

I've never heard that there were doctors at SF State.

--

>

> The doctor I saw at S.F. State said that she doesn't know if there

are people who manage to live a full life without complications who

don't have surgery, because she only sees people who have problems.

[Guest guest]

...

You're quite welcome.

I run the San Francisco area scoliosis support group. If there's any

way I can be of help, just let me know.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

,

I guess I'm " butting in " here, but I did write once before. What I didn't

tell you was that, by the time I did reach 57 and have the first and only

scoliosis surgery, I already had COPD, asthma and sleep apnea (very severe).

I'm

not trying to scare you, just wanted you to know of a woman who waited while

the curvatures progressed and progressed to 98 and 89 degrees. I still

advocate for the surgery, and my recovery was not as bad as one might think.

Also, 57 is not the end of the world!

Wishing you the very best whatever you decide,

Carole M. (the elder)