Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

[Guest guest]

Hiya Cam,

Unfortunately, I don't have enough strength or flexibility in either

of my hips to lift my legs much while seated (the fusion to the

sacrum probably doesn't help), so I'm already used to lifting my

thighs up with my hands to get into my underwear. Gosh, I hope

that still works after flatback revision surgery.....

So now I'm curious, for the rest of you (other than Cam) fused to the

sacrum (mostly the after revision people, I'd guess), do you have

enough strength in your hips and legs to be able to put on underwear

without lifting your legs with your hands?

loriann

>

> Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

> experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works great

> to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of into

> the method described by . Part of what is confounding me right

> now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a seated

> position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis it

> just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands to

> lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength issue

> there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to being

> back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

>

> I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

> working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier

poster

> said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I am so

> tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

> expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and asked

if

> there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you, you

> will find that they will make an accomodation to your

> income/resources...most non-profits will).

>

> As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

> determining what your requirements are going to be in order to be

> discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away if you

> have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you you

> will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also said I

> would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

> endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the mechanics of

> stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after surgery

> Lori you will be able to do stairs.

>

> As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching my

> husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be such a

> brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as you can

> going into it, that is for sure.

>

> Cam

[Guest guest]

Dear Loriann,

I can lift my legs only a couple of inches off the ground while seated, and

manage underwear that way. My big problem with that drawback is getting out of

cars. I have trouble getting my feet over the door jam and have to use my hand

to assist my legs getting out. My physical therapist said this is a problem

because when your sacrum is fused and has no movement, all the muscles attached

can't move the way they should, and thus limits your ability to pick up your

feet. I look at it as one of those pain in the @#$% things about being this way

post revision, and just manage with what I have left. I have been toying with

the idea of asking Doc Kumar for a handicapped parking pass again, since

getting out of cars in a tight space can cause me to twist wrong and hurt

myself. I have found cars that have a wide door opening a blessing, but you

still have to have the room to open the door wide. Hope this helps!

Colorado Springs

Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Hiya Cam,

Unfortunately, I don't have enough strength or flexibility in either

of my hips to lift my legs much while seated (the fusion to the

sacrum probably doesn't help), so I'm already used to lifting my

thighs up with my hands to get into my underwear. Gosh, I hope

that still works after flatback revision surgery.....

So now I'm curious, for the rest of you (other than Cam) fused to the

sacrum (mostly the after revision people, I'd guess), do you have

enough strength in your hips and legs to be able to put on underwear

without lifting your legs with your hands?

loriann

>

> Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

> experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works great

> to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of into

> the method described by . Part of what is confounding me right

> now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a seated

> position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis it

> just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands to

> lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength issue

> there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to being

> back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

>

> I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

> working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier

poster

> said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I am so

> tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

> expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and asked

if

> there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you, you

> will find that they will make an accomodation to your

> income/resources...most non-profits will).

>

> As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

> determining what your requirements are going to be in order to be

> discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away if you

> have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you you

> will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also said I

> would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

> endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the mechanics of

> stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after surgery

> Lori you will be able to do stairs.

>

> As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching my

> husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be such a

> brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as you can

> going into it, that is for sure.

>

> Cam

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

,

So your PT indicated it as a permanant condition? It feels like as I

am more able to engage my abdominal muscles things should improve,

but maybe not...it is wierd that it is more one side than the

other...the side the abdominal incision was on....hmmmm. Cam

> >

> > Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

> > experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works

great

> > to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of

into

> > the method described by . Part of what is confounding me

right

> > now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a

seated

> > position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis

it

> > just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands

to

> > lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength

issue

> > there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to

being

> > back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

> >

> > I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

> > working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier

> poster

> > said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I

am so

> > tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

> > expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and

asked

> if

> > there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you,

you

> > will find that they will make an accomodation to your

> > income/resources...most non-profits will).

> >

> > As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

> > determining what your requirements are going to be in order to

be

> > discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away

if you

> > have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you

you

> > will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also

said I

> > would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> > confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

> > endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the

mechanics of

> > stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after

surgery

> > Lori you will be able to do stairs.

> >

> > As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching

my

> > husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be

such a

> > brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as

you can

> > going into it, that is for sure.

> >

> > Cam

>

>

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control

ads or endorse any advertised products.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Cam,

For me, it's been three years, where I can't lift my legs in a seated position

more than a couple of inches. I have been this way since my first revision to

the sacrum. Permanant, I don't know, but you think if improvement was coming it

would have came by now. I don't know what exactly is the difference between me

and some of the others who don't seem to have this drawback, nerves, muscle,

hardware, and position of hardware, I think it's all a guessing game. I look at

what I CAN DO post revision, and these small drawbacks, while a pain in the

#$%^, are just that, a pain. I enjoy being pain free, walking as much as I

like, and so I'm a bit Gimpy, oh well! Blessings always come with a bit of

sorrow, otherwise how would we appreciate them!

Colorado Springs

Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

,

So your PT indicated it as a permanant condition? It feels like as I

am more able to engage my abdominal muscles things should improve,

but maybe not...it is wierd that it is more one side than the

other...the side the abdominal incision was on....hmmmm. Cam

> >

> > Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

> > experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works

great

> > to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of

into

> > the method described by . Part of what is confounding me

right

> > now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a

seated

> > position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis

it

> > just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands

to

> > lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength

issue

> > there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to

being

> > back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

> >

> > I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

> > working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier

> poster

> > said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I

am so

> > tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

> > expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and

asked

> if

> > there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you,

you

> > will find that they will make an accomodation to your

> > income/resources...most non-profits will).

> >

> > As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

> > determining what your requirements are going to be in order to

be

> > discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away

if you

> > have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you

you

> > will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also

said I

> > would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> > confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

> > endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the

mechanics of

> > stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after

surgery

> > Lori you will be able to do stairs.

> >

> > As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching

my

> > husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be

such a

> > brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as

you can

> > going into it, that is for sure.

> >

> > Cam

>

>

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control

ads or endorse any advertised products.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I like your attitiude....focus on what we can do...and your

statement that " Blessings always come with a bit of

sorrow, otherwise how would we appreciate them! "

is always true for me....I always try to remember that as a parent

as well, try to let Matias meet a little adverisity along the way so

he can develop a little of the " resilience " that is so plentiful in

this group!

Cam

> Dear Cam,

>

> For me, it's been three years, where I can't lift my legs in a

seated position more than a couple of inches. I have been this way

since my first revision to the sacrum. Permanant, I don't know, but

you think if improvement was coming it would have came by now. I

don't know what exactly is the difference between me and some of the

others who don't seem to have this drawback, nerves, muscle,

hardware, and position of hardware, I think it's all a guessing

game. I look at what I CAN DO post revision, and these small

drawbacks, while a pain in the #$%^, are just that, a pain. I enjoy

being pain free, walking as much as I like, and so I'm a bit Gimpy,

oh well! Blessings always come with a bit of sorrow, otherwise how

would we appreciate them!

>

>

>

> Colorado Springs

> Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs

etc

>

>

>

> ,

>

> So your PT indicated it as a permanant condition? It feels like

as I

> am more able to engage my abdominal muscles things should

improve,

> but maybe not...it is wierd that it is more one side than the

> other...the side the abdominal incision was on....hmmmm. Cam

>

>

>

>

>

> > >

> > > Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

> > > experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it

works

> great

> > > to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am

kind of

> into

> > > the method described by . Part of what is confounding

me

> right

> > > now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a

> seated

> > > position....where the quad attaches to the front of the

pelvis

> it

> > > just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my

hands

> to

> > > lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength

> issue

> > > there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related

to

> being

> > > back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

> > >

> > > I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect

for

> > > working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an

earlier

> > poster

> > > said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a

bit...I

> am so

> > > tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being

too

> > > expensive, I would guess if you approached the director

and

> asked

> > if

> > > there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help

you,

> you

> > > will find that they will make an accomodation to your

> > > income/resources...most non-profits will).

> > >

> > > As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one

on

> > > determining what your requirements are going to be in

order to

> be

> > > discharged home.....in other words, they find out right

away

> if you

> > > have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell

you

> you

> > > will not go until you are safe in that situation. They

also

> said I

> > > would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> > > confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like

and

> > > endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the

> mechanics of

> > > stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you

after

> surgery

> > > Lori you will be able to do stairs.

> > >

> > > As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like

watching

> my

> > > husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to

be

> such a

> > > brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong

as

> you can

> > > going into it, that is for sure.

> > >

> > > Cam

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

> Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not

control

> ads or endorse any advertised products.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm fused to the sacrum - it took a while, but I'm now able to do it alone...

Quoting loriann262000 <lcmelko@...>:

>

> <html><body>

>

>

>

> <tt>

> <BR>

> Hiya Cam,<BR>

> <BR>

> Unfortunately, I don't have enough strength or flexibility in either

> <BR>

> of my hips to lift my legs much while seated (the fusion to the

> <BR>

> sacrum probably doesn't help), so I'm already used to lifting my

> <BR>

> thighs up with my hands to get into my underwear. & nbsp; Gosh, I hope

> <BR>

> that still works after flatback revision surgery.....<BR>

> <BR>

> So now I'm curious, for the rest of you (other than Cam) fused to the

> <BR>

> sacrum (mostly the after revision people, I'd guess), do you have

> <BR>

> enough strength in your hips and legs to be able to put on underwear

> <BR>

> without lifting your legs with your hands?<BR>

> <BR>

> loriann<BR>

> <BR>

> <BR>

> & gt; <BR>

> & gt; Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still <BR>

> & gt; experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works

> great <BR>

> & gt; to hold the panties so I can & quot;step in & quot;...and then I am

> kind of into <BR>

> & gt; the method described by . Part of what is confounding me

> right <BR>

> & gt; now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a seated

> <BR>

> & gt; position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis

> it <BR>

> & gt; just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands

> to <BR>

> & gt; lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength issue

> <BR>

> & gt; there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to

> being <BR>

> & gt; back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring

> toning.<BR>

> & gt; <BR>

> & gt; I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

> <BR>

> & gt; working this little muscle issue, I think. & nbsp; And as an

> earlier <BR>

> poster <BR>

> & gt; said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I am

> so <BR>

> & gt; tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

> <BR>

> & gt; expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and

> asked <BR>

> if <BR>

> & gt; there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you,

> you <BR>

> & gt; will find that they will make an accomodation to your <BR>

> & gt; income/resources...most non-profits will).<BR>

> & gt; <BR>

> & gt; As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

> <BR>

> & gt; determining what your requirements are going to be in order to

> be <BR>

> & gt; discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away if

> you <BR>

> & gt; have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you

> you <BR>

> & gt; will not go until you are safe in that situation. & nbsp; They

> also said I <BR>

> & gt; would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> <BR>

> & gt; confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

> <BR>

> & gt; endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the mechanics

> of <BR>

> & gt; stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after

> surgery <BR>

> & gt; Lori you will be able to do stairs.<BR>

> & gt; <BR>

> & gt; As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching my

> <BR>

> & gt; husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be

> such a <BR>

> & gt; brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as you

> can <BR>

> & gt; going into it, that is for sure.<BR>

> & gt; <BR>

> & gt; Cam<BR>

> <BR>

> <BR>

> <BR>

> </tt>

>

> <br><br>

> <tt>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

> Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads

> or endorse any advertised products.</tt>

> <br><br>

>

> <br>

>

> <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| -->

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[Guest guest]

Cam, and Martha,

I almost didn't ask about folks' ability to lift their legs, because

I didn't want the responses to be discouraging to anyone. But I

think Cam knows me well enough to know that I like to be as prepared

for any eventuality. And I think we are all feisty enough to realize

that just because one or some people can't do something doesn't mean

that we all won't be able to do it. So, thanks for the info., gals!

Martha and Cam, keep up the good work. , your attitude is

always inspirational. Whenever I get mad that my hip surgery created

some new pains and didn't end my disability, I try to remember that

it did take away some of the old pains and some of the disability. I

hope I get as much or more out of the other side surgery and out of

the flatback revision.

loriann

>

> ,

>

> So your PT indicated it as a permanant condition? It feels like as

I

> am more able to engage my abdominal muscles things should improve,

> but maybe not...it is wierd that it is more one side than the

> other...the side the abdominal incision was on....hmmmm. Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam,

Talk about frustration! My surgery was in August and I have been walking

religiously and have had one month of PT and I still can't lift my left leg but

three inches off the floor when sitting. That leg has always been a little weak

from at stroke in 1988 but nothing like this. I wonder if it will ever come

back. My therapist said it might have something to do with the way I was fused.

She is just guessing.

Joyce

what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works great

to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of into

the method described by . Part of what is confounding me right

now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a seated

position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis it

just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands to

lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength issue

there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to being

back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier poster

said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I am so

tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and asked if

there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you, you

will find that they will make an accomodation to your

income/resources...most non-profits will).

As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

determining what your requirements are going to be in order to be

discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away if you

have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you you

will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also said I

would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the mechanics of

stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after surgery

Lori you will be able to do stairs.

As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching my

husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be such a

brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as you can

going into it, that is for sure.

Cam

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Just my thoughts - until I got stronger, I had a strategy for putting on my

underwear - to toss it on the floor in front of the toilet, and then put my feet

into it, and then work it up to where I could reach it by moving my lower legs -

not pretty, but effective! Of course, this worked with my cotton stuff - might

ruin nice underwear!

Good luck,

Carolyn

what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works great

to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of into

the method described by . Part of what is confounding me right

now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a seated

position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis it

just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands to

lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength issue

there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to being

back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier poster

said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I am so

tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and asked if

there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you, you

will find that they will make an accomodation to your

income/resources...most non-profits will).

As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

determining what your requirements are going to be in order to be

discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away if you

have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you you

will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also said I

would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the mechanics of

stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after surgery

Lori you will be able to do stairs.

As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching my

husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be such a

brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as you can

going into it, that is for sure.

Cam

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Question on how did we do it when we had our cast on down to our

hips? I'm trying to remember. And how about pants? I think they were

even more dificult, and socks? As I mentiond before I was,(am)

fused to S1. One thing I really remember is when I was in school

sitting at the desk, the cast would press on my legs (thighs) and cut

off the circulation so when I stood up my legs felt tingly (numb)

Well! I know we are all different witch makes it interesting yet I

think it's difficult to fully understand everyones situation, level

of flexibility, lifestyle, age, H.r. or no H.R. pre revision or post

revision, level of fusions.

> Just my thoughts - until I got stronger, I had a strategy for

putting on my underwear - to toss it on the floor in front of the

toilet, and then put my feet into it, and then work it up to where I

could reach it by moving my lower legs - not pretty, but effective!

Of course, this worked with my cotton stuff - might ruin nice

underwear!

>

> Good luck,

> Carolyn

> what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

>

>

>

> Thanks for all the underwear tips.....I think I am still

> experimenting, but Lori, yes, I do use a grabber and it works

great

> to hold the panties so I can " step in " ...and then I am kind of

into

> the method described by . Part of what is confounding me

right

> now is the difficulty in lifting my left leg up when in a

seated

> position....where the quad attaches to the front of the pelvis

it

> just feels like there is no strength so I have to use my hands

to

> lift my thigh.....very strange as there was not a strength

issue

> there prior to surgery...but it feels like it is related to

being

> back upright and thus newly stretched and requiring toning.

>

> I can't wait to get into the pool...which will be perfect for

> working this little muscle issue, I think. And as an earlier

poster

> said, I just want to be weightless in the water for a bit...I

am so

> tierd of laying on a bed! (p.s. with regard to the Y being too

> expensive, I would guess if you approached the director and

asked if

> there is a sliding scale or scholarship available to help you,

you

> will find that they will make an accomodation to your

> income/resources...most non-profits will).

>

> As to stairs, at NEBH they are very focused from day one on

> determining what your requirements are going to be in order to

be

> discharged home.....in other words, they find out right away if

you

> have stairs at home that you must negotiate and they tell you

you

> will not go until you are safe in that situation. They also

said I

> would do a couple flights of stairs before I left just for

> confidence, and I did. For me the stairs just seem like and

> endurance issue, not so much a problem in terms of the

mechanics of

> stepping. I am sure with hip strengthening behind you after

surgery

> Lori you will be able to do stairs.

>

> As I have said before, this surgery seems to me like watching

my

> husband preparing for a marathon. You know it is going to be

such a

> brutal trauma to your body that you want to be as strong as you

can

> going into it, that is for sure.

>

> Cam

>

>

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads

or endorse any advertised products.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I went to public school but I would go to nurses office once

a day to rest,it was also a good exuse to skip a class I didn't like.

I remember those days of being ignored or teased or asked if I got

into a car accident. I was too moddest to let mom help with panties,

I think I manged on my own. She was at work before I got dressed for

school.

Franca

>

> > Question on how did we do it when we had our cast on down to our

> >hips? I'm trying to remember. And how about pants? I think they

were

> >even more dificult, and socks? As I mentiond before I was,(am)

> >fused to S1. One thing I really remember is when I was in school

> >sitting at the desk, the cast would press on my legs (thighs) and

cut

> >off the circulation so when I stood up my legs felt tingly

(numb)

> >

> >

> Desk? At my school, my parents had to provide one of those

adjustable

> tables they have in hospital rooms. They supplied a chair. I had

to sit

> separate from the other students, and ask one of them to wheel it

from

> each class (very embarrasing!)

>

> As for underware, I had a Mom who helpe(didn't we all?)but I do

remember

> holding onto my bathroom doorframe, and somehow doing it. We wore

> uniforms to school, and they bought me a huge Middie blouse, and I

think

> I just wore a navy pleated skirt (I can't remember why they didn't

buy

> me the uniform skirt. I went to a private school. I got so tired

at

> school, I had to go to the nurse's station, and lie down during the

> breaks. I was always afraid I wouldn't wake up in time for the next

> class (no alarm watches then.)

>

> Ack, I just brought back my horrible memories. I guess it was

better

> than going to public coed school, but the girls were nice to me in

the

> hospital, but avoided me like the plague when I wore the cast, and

even

> a year or two afterwards. Same thing with the guys in my Church

group.

> What a stigma all through high school!

>

> I remember in public, people asking me if I had been in a car

accident,

> and staring a lot. I always lied and said yes, easier to explain.

>

> I would hope now that we have more tolerance of being different

(hey, I

> live near Berkeley, CA) and with the braces under your blouse, it

would

> be easier for teens.

>

> in Oakland

[Guest guest]

Maybe it's because I have a very short torso and long arms, but I never had any

difficulty dressing, even in my big stuck-in-bed Risser. I wonder if I'd have

trouble with a fusion to the sacrum.

Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking Risser, and I could

have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't shown up while I was out

riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright with a cast up around my head,

but it was a quiet rural street, and I could hear if anything was coming.)

Sharon

Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

I went to public school but I would go to nurses office once

a day to rest,it was also a good exuse to skip a class I didn't like.

I remember those days of being ignored or teased or asked if I got

into a car accident. I was too moddest to let mom help with panties,

I think I manged on my own. She was at work before I got dressed for

school.

Franca

>

> > Question on how did we do it when we had our cast on down to our

> >hips? I'm trying to remember. And how about pants? I think they

were

> >even more dificult, and socks? As I mentiond before I was,(am)

> >fused to S1. One thing I really remember is when I was in school

> >sitting at the desk, the cast would press on my legs (thighs) and

cut

> >off the circulation so when I stood up my legs felt tingly

(numb)

> >

> >

> Desk? At my school, my parents had to provide one of those

adjustable

> tables they have in hospital rooms. They supplied a chair. I had

to sit

> separate from the other students, and ask one of them to wheel it

from

> each class (very embarrasing!)

>

> As for underware, I had a Mom who helpe(didn't we all?)but I do

remember

> holding onto my bathroom doorframe, and somehow doing it. We wore

> uniforms to school, and they bought me a huge Middie blouse, and I

think

> I just wore a navy pleated skirt (I can't remember why they didn't

buy

> me the uniform skirt. I went to a private school. I got so tired

at

> school, I had to go to the nurse's station, and lie down during the

> breaks. I was always afraid I wouldn't wake up in time for the next

> class (no alarm watches then.)

>

> Ack, I just brought back my horrible memories. I guess it was

better

> than going to public coed school, but the girls were nice to me in

the

> hospital, but avoided me like the plague when I wore the cast, and

even

> a year or two afterwards. Same thing with the guys in my Church

group.

> What a stigma all through high school!

>

> I remember in public, people asking me if I had been in a car

accident,

> and staring a lot. I always lied and said yes, easier to explain.

>

> I would hope now that we have more tolerance of being different

(hey, I

> live near Berkeley, CA) and with the braces under your blouse, it

would

> be easier for teens.

>

> in Oakland

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Sharon Green wrote:

>Maybe it's because I have a very short torso and long arms, but I never had any

difficulty dressing, even in my big stuck-in-bed Risser. I wonder if I'd have

trouble with a fusion to the sacrum.

>

>Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking Risser, and I

could have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't shown up while I

was out riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright with a cast up around my

head, but it was a quiet rural street, and I could hear if anything was coming.)

>

>Sharon

>

>

>

At first I thought you were talking about a cast, but it sounds like you

could get out of it? What was a walking Risser?

Thanks!

in Oakland

[Guest guest]

No, it was a real cast! I could have gotten out of wearing the $# & ! thing to

school if the visiting nurse hadn't caught me riding my bike in it!

Sharon

Re: Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Sharon Green wrote:

>Maybe it's because I have a very short torso and long arms, but I never had

any difficulty dressing, even in my big stuck-in-bed Risser. I wonder if I'd

have trouble with a fusion to the sacrum.

>

>Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking Risser, and I

could have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't shown up while I

was out riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright with a cast up around my

head, but it was a quiet rural street, and I could hear if anything was coming.)

>

>Sharon

>

>

>

At first I thought you were talking about a cast, but it sounds like you

could get out of it? What was a walking Risser?

Thanks!

in Oakland

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

She said if I was able to ride my bike I was able to go to school, which was

nuts because I couldn't move my head or see the desk.

Fortunately it was only one day before I got the cast off. I can't believe my

parents listened to her and made me go to school that one idiotic day!

Sharon

Re: Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Sharon Green wrote:

>Maybe it's because I have a very short torso and long arms, but I never had

any difficulty dressing, even in my big stuck-in-bed Risser. I wonder if I'd

have trouble with a fusion to the sacrum.

>

>Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking Risser, and I

could have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't shown up while I

was out riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright with a cast up around my

head, but it was a quiet rural street, and I could hear if anything was coming.)

>

>Sharon

>

>

>

At first I thought you were talking about a cast, but it sounds like you

could get out of it? What was a walking Risser?

Thanks!

in Oakland

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

I can't imagine having to sit in those hard seats at school in the

Risser cast even for one day.! But I did go to my High School

graduation ceremony in it. Most of the cast was covered up by the

graduation gown, but the part around the back of my neck and head stuck

out still. I don't like looking back at those pictures because it

reminds me of that awful cast. That is the only picture of the cast that

I ever had taken. . I had my surgery in January of 1974. .I missed the

second half of my senior year because of the scoliosis surgery, Luckily

I had doubled up on the main subjects earlier so that I could graduate

with my class

Carol

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking Risser, and

I could have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't shown up

while I was out riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright with a

cast up around my head, but it was a quiet rural street, and I could hear

if anything was coming.)

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Oh, I get it now!

Actually, a friend of mine had a cast and then they put some sort of

hinges on it, she could take it off to take a shower. I really envied her!

:-)

Sharon Green wrote:

>No, it was a real cast! I could have gotten out of wearing the $# & ! thing to

school if the visiting nurse hadn't caught me riding my bike in it!

>

>Sharon

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, that must have hurt inside.!

My parents forced me to go to coed dances in it (I guess they wanted me

to feel " normal " . But, of course, nobody danced with me.

We had those school desk & chair things, where the flat thing for the

desk is attached to the chair, and wraps around you on one side. So

couldn't fit in that, so that's why I had to sit in a straight backed

chair, and use the hospital table.

in Oakland

Irish539@... wrote:

>I can't imagine having to sit in those hard seats at school in the

>Risser cast even for one day.! But I did go to my High School

>graduation ceremony in it. Most of the cast was covered up by the

>graduation gown, but the part around the back of my neck and head stuck

>out still. I don't like looking back at those pictures because it

>reminds me of that awful cast. That is the only picture of the cast that

>I ever had taken. . I had my surgery in January of 1974. .I missed the

>second half of my senior year because of the scoliosis surgery, Luckily

>I had doubled up on the main subjects earlier so that I could graduate

>with my class

>

>Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking Risser, and

>I could have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't shown up

>while I was out riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright with a

>cast up around my head, but it was a quiet rural street, and I could hear

>if anything was coming.)

>

>Sharon

>

>

>

>Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

>

[Guest guest]

I've had removable casts too, ersatz braces for the tiny and growing-like-weeds.

The joys of congenital scoliosis a la 50's & 60s.

Re: Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Oh, I get it now!

Actually, a friend of mine had a cast and then they put some sort of

hinges on it, she could take it off to take a shower. I really envied her!

:-)

Sharon Green wrote:

>No, it was a real cast! I could have gotten out of wearing the $# & ! thing to

school if the visiting nurse hadn't caught me riding my bike in it!

>

>Sharon

>

>

>

>

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Wow! good for you Sharon! The invinsibility of youth, nothing

stopping you from having fun. Thank god it was a quiet street. My

Grandfather picked me up and put me on a horse with my cast on, he

held the horse and just made it walk a little. I did fall down the

stairs with the cast on once, hit my nose on the railing, had to go

have x-rays. Everything was fine.

Franca

> >

> > > Question on how did we do it when we had our cast on down to

our

> > >hips? I'm trying to remember. And how about pants? I think

they

> were

> > >even more dificult, and socks? As I mentiond before I was,

(am)

> > >fused to S1. One thing I really remember is when I was in

school

> > >sitting at the desk, the cast would press on my legs (thighs)

and

> cut

> > >off the circulation so when I stood up my legs felt tingly

> (numb)

> > >

> > >

> > Desk? At my school, my parents had to provide one of those

> adjustable

> > tables they have in hospital rooms. They supplied a chair. I

had

> to sit

> > separate from the other students, and ask one of them to wheel

it

> from

> > each class (very embarrasing!)

> >

> > As for underware, I had a Mom who helpe(didn't we all?)but I do

> remember

> > holding onto my bathroom doorframe, and somehow doing it. We

wore

> > uniforms to school, and they bought me a huge Middie blouse,

and I

> think

> > I just wore a navy pleated skirt (I can't remember why they

didn't

> buy

> > me the uniform skirt. I went to a private school. I got so

tired

> at

> > school, I had to go to the nurse's station, and lie down during

the

> > breaks. I was always afraid I wouldn't wake up in time for the

next

> > class (no alarm watches then.)

> >

> > Ack, I just brought back my horrible memories. I guess it was

> better

> > than going to public coed school, but the girls were nice to me

in

> the

> > hospital, but avoided me like the plague when I wore the cast,

and

> even

> > a year or two afterwards. Same thing with the guys in my

Church

> group.

> > What a stigma all through high school!

> >

> > I remember in public, people asking me if I had been in a car

> accident,

> > and staring a lot. I always lied and said yes, easier to

explain.

> >

> > I would hope now that we have more tolerance of being different

> (hey, I

> > live near Berkeley, CA) and with the braces under your blouse,

it

> would

> > be easier for teens.

> >

> > in Oakland

>

>

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads

or endorse any advertised products.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, imagine if you hadn't had the cast to protect your back when you fell.

I tumbled down the stairs head-over-heels when I was about 3. Thankfully I had

my snow suit on, over my plastic jacket brace.

Sharon

Re: what I can do...underwear/stairs etc

Wow! good for you Sharon! The invinsibility of youth, nothing

stopping you from having fun. Thank god it was a quiet street. My

Grandfather picked me up and put me on a horse with my cast on, he

held the horse and just made it walk a little. I did fall down the

stairs with the cast on once, hit my nose on the railing, had to go

have x-rays. Everything was fine.

Franca

> >

> > > Question on how did we do it when we had our cast on down to

our

> > >hips? I'm trying to remember. And how about pants? I think

they

> were

> > >even more dificult, and socks? As I mentiond before I was,

(am)

> > >fused to S1. One thing I really remember is when I was in

school

> > >sitting at the desk, the cast would press on my legs (thighs)

and

> cut

> > >off the circulation so when I stood up my legs felt tingly

> (numb)

> > >

> > >

> > Desk? At my school, my parents had to provide one of those

> adjustable

> > tables they have in hospital rooms. They supplied a chair. I

had

> to sit

> > separate from the other students, and ask one of them to wheel

it

> from

> > each class (very embarrasing!)

> >

> > As for underware, I had a Mom who helpe(didn't we all?)but I do

> remember

> > holding onto my bathroom doorframe, and somehow doing it. We

wore

> > uniforms to school, and they bought me a huge Middie blouse,

and I

> think

> > I just wore a navy pleated skirt (I can't remember why they

didn't

> buy

> > me the uniform skirt. I went to a private school. I got so

tired

> at

> > school, I had to go to the nurse's station, and lie down during

the

> > breaks. I was always afraid I wouldn't wake up in time for the

next

> > class (no alarm watches then.)

> >

> > Ack, I just brought back my horrible memories. I guess it was

> better

> > than going to public coed school, but the girls were nice to me

in

> the

> > hospital, but avoided me like the plague when I wore the cast,

and

> even

> > a year or two afterwards. Same thing with the guys in my

Church

> group.

> > What a stigma all through high school!

> >

> > I remember in public, people asking me if I had been in a car

> accident,

> > and staring a lot. I always lied and said yes, easier to

explain.

> >

> > I would hope now that we have more tolerance of being different

> (hey, I

> > live near Berkeley, CA) and with the braces under your blouse,

it

> would

> > be easier for teens.

> >

> > in Oakland

>

>

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads

or endorse any advertised products.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, I went to school in all my " walking " casts. I remember I had to

lean back at an angle so it would not cut into my hips. I did have

homebound teachers for the six months I was in bed with the cast

that went down to my knee on one side.

>

> I can't imagine having to sit in those hard seats at school in the

> Risser cast even for one day.! But I did go to my High School

> graduation ceremony in it. Most of the cast was covered up by the

> graduation gown, but the part around the back of my neck and head

stuck

> out still. I don't like looking back at those pictures because it

> reminds me of that awful cast. That is the only picture of the

cast that

> I ever had taken. . I had my surgery in January of 1974. .I missed

the

> second half of my senior year because of the scoliosis surgery,

Luckily

> I had doubled up on the main subjects earlier so that I could

graduate

> with my class

>

> Carol

>

>

>

>

> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>

> Thank heaven I only had to go to school 1 day in the walking

Risser, and

> I could have gotten out of it if the nosy visiting nurse hadn't

shown up

> while I was out riding my bike! (Yeah, I know, not real bright

with a

> cast up around my head, but it was a quiet rural street, and I

could hear

> if anything was coming.)

>

> Sharon

[Guest guest]

I do remember how the cast would " pinch " at the hips every time I sat

down. I got so annoyed at the collar part of the cast that I started to

saw away at it with a steak knife before I went to get the smaller cast

put on. I still can't wear turtleneck tops to this day. OY! : )

Carol

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wow, I went to school in all my " walking " casts. I remember I had to

lean back at an angle so it would not cut into my hips.

>>>>>>>>>

Irish539@j... wrote:

>

> I can't imagine having to sit in those hard seats at school in the

> Risser cast even for one day.! But I did go to my High School

> graduation ceremony in it. Most of the cast was covered up by the

> graduation gown, but the part around the back of my neck and head

stuck

> out still. I don't like looking back at those pictures because it

> reminds me of that awful cast. That is the only picture of the

cast that

> I ever had taken. . I had my surgery in January of 1974. .I missed

the

> second half of my senior year because of the scoliosis surgery,

Luckily

> I had doubled up on the main subjects earlier so that I could

graduate

> with my class

>

> Carol

>

>

>