Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Bonnie, Here is the link to s story in the files section: http://f2.grp.fs.com/v1/ACHmQyyNR1hJQj_uCuj6Guarb_IgWExmp5HKawPfMS 1z3igniTHWaLtmfw4rsyDJ6hg6zZJ7K691SRNH4hygdw/Member%20Stories/.htm Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Bonnie and Kim - I had a full revision in 2001, (actually 2 done in that year) posterior and anterior fusion to the sacrum done together on the same day with full instrumentation, but no osteotomy was done. Unfortunately, it has thrown me into a serious flatback, so now I'm having the osteotomy done. As I said before, I pray that this will be the last! ~~ > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the > risks. What > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good > relief from > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given > up over the > > years. > > > > > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Bonnie - My revisions in 2001 included everything EXCEPT an osteotomy. Unfotunately I then was thrown into a serious flatback, so I saw both Dr. LaGrone and Dr. Hu last summer, and am having the osteotomy down by Dr. Hu at UCSF in about 3 weeks. My statement about my original pain being gone? It has! That was the pain from the DDD in my lower back. The revision surgery/fusions took care of it. But what a trade-off! I'm not sure which was worse - that pain, or the pain from being sagitally imbalanced. ~~ > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the > risks. What > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good > relief from > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given > up over the > > years. > > > > > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 , thanks. I guess you really hit the heart of what I am feeling. I am young, only 35. I have had some degree of pain ever since the first surgery in '86. After having my children (ages 7, 4 and 3 now), it really stepped up my pain. The kids make it harder for me to make this decision. I want this " fixed " as you put it, but the more I read about it, the less hopeful I am feeling. I also haven't accepted the revision stage yet. I'm just now beginning to accept the pain stage. > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the > risks. What > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good > relief from > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given > up over the > > years. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 pnuttro - please don't take what I've said as a discouragement AGAINST having revision surgery - far from it actually. Revision surgery definitely improves one's quality of life! If it didn't, none of us would be going through with it. I think 'improves' is the key word here....improvement in pain levels and improvement in body shapes, which in turn brings improvement in ones emotions, capabilities, and self-image. I'd say that was a pretty even trade off, yes? True, revision surgery isn't for everyone. Only you will know if and when it's time. And no matter what your children's ages, you are, and always will be, their mom. Period. Crooked back, painful moments, more surgery - nothing will ever change how they look at you. As I said before, only you can make the decision, only you will know when you've reached your limit. And if that time ever comes, all of us who have gone there before you will be here with you every step of the way. Peace - ~~ > > > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the > > risks. What > > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good > > relief from > > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given > > up over the > > > years. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Bless you Carole! I lost my father at age 59 and mother at age 63, so one may wonder why at age 53 I'm doing this once again. My thoughts are this: Even if I only have a few short years left on this earth, I want to enjoy them. The medical world has come so very far.....I'm willing to endure a good year of recuperation from surgery so that I may enjoy what time I have left free from pain. And Carole, NEVER say never - there's always hope. Blessings, ~~ > > , > > That was such a beautiful letter you wrote to pnuttro! It actually got me > wondering if I could still be a candidate for revision. I am older, but my > parents lived to 81 and 89, so if I have 18 or so years ahead of me, I still > wonder! > > God love you for all the support you have given! > > Sincerely, > > Carole > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Thanks, I appreciate your advice. And thanks to all who have shared their stories. It is a great show of character that all of you have persevered even after all the set backs and repeated surgery. I actually have an appointment in March. A former fellow of Dr. Bridwell, who is here in Houston. I hope he will spend some time discussing this with me. I can only pray for the best and do what I can to stay healthy otherwise. Thanks to everyone. > > > > > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I > think.) > > > > > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand > the > > > risks. What > > > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting > good > > > relief from > > > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have > given > > > up over the > > > > years. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Why we were all chosen to be the ones to improve medicine's knowledge of the scoliotic spine we will never know or understand. But as we were, we can only do our best to accept and make our lives as useful and pain-free as we can. , thank you for stating this. I promise to stand by you and do my best! kam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Pnuttro, I am four days from 35 and while I have had plenty of reasons to second-guess this decision in the last week (I'll detail this later), today I feel very optimistic. It has only been eleven days since my anterior surgery and I have to give my body a chance to " accept " the revisions. My body is different than it was twelve days ago. Period. You will know when you are to that breaking point. I found this group of very strong individuals last May and what a roller-coaster ride of emotions I have experienced since that point! In the end, the risk of surgery was far less than the risk of continuing to *survive* in the physical and emotional state in which I found myself. I have great faith that life can be more full than it proved to be in 2005. Healing takes time but in my heart I know I made the right decision. Please be patient with yourself and allow your mind to go wherever it needs to go to make the best decisions for your future. Sincerely, kam > > > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the > > risks. What > > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good > > relief from > > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given > > up over the > > > years. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 I think everyone here knows where I am coming from. I have had all these arguments in my head for the past 2 years. I put off this long because I didn't have confidence in my doctors after they said that I needed to extend my fusion, it made me VERY nervous. So I waited and I searched and now its time. I'm glad that I know more now. Sorry for the complications. It seems that you resolved the problem since you are still going home. I hope you have an uneventful trip. thanks. And since everyone is talking about names, mine is . > > > > > > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > > > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I > think.) > > > > > > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand > the > > > risks. What > > > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting > good > > > relief from > > > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have > given > > > up over the > > > > years. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 I've gone by Peanut in the past as well. > >> > > > > >> > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > >> > > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I > >> think.) > >> > > > > >> > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand > >> the > >> > > risks. What > >> > > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting > >> good > >> > > relief from > >> > > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have > >> given > >> > > up over the > >> > > > years. > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.