Re: I will be scheduling surgery next week

March 24, 2006

Good grief! Talk about cutting in line!

That's ok, just kidding, you're more than welcome to sprint to the OR ahead

of me.

Sharon

[ ] I will be scheduling surgery next week

> It is nice to know when I will know. I am such a planner. I can't help

> it. Priscilla called to tell me I should be getting a call next week.

> I also asked about the plates and am mailing the forms to Dr.Rand

> tomorrow.

>

> Jolynn

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

March 25, 2006

I am not scheduled for next week I am getting a date for the surgery

this summer next week. I am a type A personality and plan when to

plan things. Sorry I should have been more clear.

Jolynn

>

> Good grief! Talk about cutting in line!

>

> That's ok, just kidding, you're more than welcome to sprint to the

OR ahead

> of me.

>

> Sharon

>

> [ ] I will be scheduling surgery next week

>

> > It is nice to know when I will know. I am such a planner. I

can't help

> > it. Priscilla called to tell me I should be getting a call next

week.

> > I also asked about the plates and am mailing the forms to Dr.Rand

> > tomorrow.

> >

> > Jolynn

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

March 25, 2006

I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for later, Jolynn.

I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my first visit with

Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive patience on my

part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this past week. So

now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and probably visit a

neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule surgery. I too was

hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my sister is willing to

come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I may need to be

more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for schedule.

Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with Rand (via

Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!), and now before

I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery dates! I'm

only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex case, and I want

Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find the whole thing

kind of funny.

I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in advance, but I'll

admit I'm not exactly a type A.

:^)

Sharon

[ ] I will be scheduling surgery next week

>>

>> > It is nice to know when I will know. I am such a planner. I

> can't help

>> > it. Priscilla called to tell me I should be getting a call next

> week.

>> > I also asked about the plates and am mailing the forms to Dr.Rand

>> > tomorrow.

>> >

>> > Jolynn

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

March 25, 2006

My husband gets really annoyed by my " I want it done yesterday "

attitude. I just get an idea of what needs to happen and stress

until everything is in order. With medical issues it is really hard

to be that way because life revolves around the DR schedules. I

really thought my case would be more complex but apparently not so

much.

The funny thing is that we have a strong dislike for New England

(turns out bad back and shoveling snow don't go well together) and

have been waiting for the opportunity to move back down south. I

feel like this is the reason that we are " stuck " here. I know that

this would be really hard if I lived far away.

I just found out about Flatback about 3 months ago. Until then I

thought I was wearing the wrong kind of shoes.

It amazes me that now I am planning surgery, using a cane, waiting

for my handicap plates, taking meds, and realizing that nothing I am

doing, or not doing, is causing this back pain. I was real depressed

at first when I found out about Flatback, but lately I feel SOOOOO

much better knowing that there are other options that could help me.

I can't believe I went so long feeling this way and not knowing why.

I actually have almost no mobility to lose I could not believe that

I did not realize that I could not bend at the waist. It is amazing

what you adapt to because you think you have no choice.

Jolynn

>

> I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for later,

Jolynn.

>

> I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my first

visit with

> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive patience

on my

> part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this past

week. So

> now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and probably

visit a

> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule surgery. I

too was

> hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my sister is

willing to

> come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I may

need to be

> more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for schedule.

>

> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with Rand

(via

> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!), and

now before

> I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery

dates! I'm

> only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex case,

and I want

> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find the

whole thing

> kind of funny.

>

> I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in advance,

but I'll

> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

>

> :^)

>

> Sharon

>

March 25, 2006

Jolynn, you are absolutely right about living with things when you think

there are no options. And I can attest that it's amazing what one can live

with when the alternative scares the bejeepers out of you. I've known I

have flatback for more than 5 years. You are younger than I, so maybe your

first surgery was less traumatic than mine. It sounds like you've also had

a lot more experience dealing with medical people as an adult.

Whatever our reasons, " to each her own " is a good motto here, and I hope we

both end up with stunningly successful outcomes.

Sharon

[ ] Re: I will be scheduling surgery next week

> My husband gets really annoyed by my " I want it done yesterday "

> attitude. I just get an idea of what needs to happen and stress

> until everything is in order. With medical issues it is really hard

> to be that way because life revolves around the DR schedules. I

> really thought my case would be more complex but apparently not so

> much.

> The funny thing is that we have a strong dislike for New England

> (turns out bad back and shoveling snow don't go well together) and

> have been waiting for the opportunity to move back down south. I

> feel like this is the reason that we are " stuck " here. I know that

> this would be really hard if I lived far away.

> I just found out about Flatback about 3 months ago. Until then I

> thought I was wearing the wrong kind of shoes.

> It amazes me that now I am planning surgery, using a cane, waiting

> for my handicap plates, taking meds, and realizing that nothing I am

> doing, or not doing, is causing this back pain. I was real depressed

> at first when I found out about Flatback, but lately I feel SOOOOO

> much better knowing that there are other options that could help me.

> I can't believe I went so long feeling this way and not knowing why.

> I actually have almost no mobility to lose I could not believe that

> I did not realize that I could not bend at the waist. It is amazing

> what you adapt to because you think you have no choice.

>

> Jolynn

>

>>

>> I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for later,

> Jolynn.

>>

>> I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my first

> visit with

>> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive patience

> on my

>> part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this past

> week. So

>> now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and probably

> visit a

>> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule surgery. I

> too was

>> hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my sister is

> willing to

>> come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I may

> need to be

>> more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for schedule.

>>

>> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with Rand

> (via

>> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!), and

> now before

>> I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery

> dates! I'm

>> only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex case,

> and I want

>> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find the

> whole thing

>> kind of funny.

>>

>> I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in advance,

> but I'll

>> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

>>

>> :^)

>>

>> Sharon

>>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

March 25, 2006

Hi Sharon,

I’m new here and hope you don’t

mind if I jump in…I just read your response to Jolynn’s post and

was struck by something you said: “…maybe your first surgery was

less traumatic than mine.”

I really can relate to the idea that my

first scoliosis surgery in 1973 (I was 18) for a 56 degree ‘C’

curve and severe spinal rotation was very traumatic. I’d kept my images

and feelings about it ‘hidden’ even from myself for so many years.

It wasn’t until a therapist asked me about it a few years ago that I

realized how devastating it had been. I’m wondering what your experience

was like…do you mind saying a little about what made it so hard for you?

Thanks.

Regards,

Andra (Andy)

Re: [ ]

Re: I will be scheduling surgery next week

Jolynn, you are absolutely right about living with

things when you think

there are no options. And I can attest that

it's amazing what one can live

with when the alternative scares the bejeepers out

of you. I've known I

have flatback for more than 5 years. You are

younger than I, so maybe your

first surgery was less traumatic than mine.

It sounds like you've also had

a lot more experience dealing with medical people

as an adult.

Whatever our reasons, " to each her own "

is a good motto here, and I hope we

both end up with stunningly successful outcomes.

Sharon

[ ] Re: I will be

scheduling surgery next week

> My husband gets really annoyed by my " I

want it done yesterday "

> attitude. I just get an idea of what needs to

happen and stress

> until everything is in order. With medical

issues it is really hard

> to be that way because life revolves around

the DR schedules. I

> really thought my case would be more complex

but apparently not so

> much.

> The funny thing is that we have a strong

dislike for New England

> (turns out bad back and shoveling snow don't

go well together) and

> have been waiting for the opportunity to move

back down south. I

> feel like this is the reason that we are

" stuck " here. I know that

> this would be really hard if I lived far

away.

> I just found out about Flatback about 3

months ago. Until then I

> thought I was wearing the wrong kind of

shoes.

> It amazes me that now I am planning surgery,

using a cane, waiting

> for my handicap plates, taking meds, and

realizing that nothing I am

> doing, or not doing, is causing this back

pain. I was real depressed

> at first when I found out about Flatback, but

lately I feel SOOOOO

> much better knowing that there are other

options that could help me.

> I can't believe I went so long feeling this

way and not knowing why.

> I actually have almost no mobility to lose I

could not believe that

> I did not realize that I could not bend at

the waist. It is amazing

> what you adapt to because you think you have

no choice.

>

> Jolynn

>

>>

>> I did realize you were going to schedule

your surgery for later,

> Jolynn.

>>

>> I had my MRI in December, just a couple

of weeks after my first

> visit with

>> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of

errors and excessive patience

> on my

>> part, he didn't even get around to

looking at it until this past

> week. So

>> now I'm being told I have to have the CT

myelogram and probably

> visit a

>> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again

and schedule surgery. I

> too was

>> hoping for surgery in late spring or

summer, because my sister is

> willing to

>> come up from SC and help out, and she

teaches college. So I may

> need to be

>> more pushy about scheduling in order to

meet my hoped-for schedule.

>>

>> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your

first contact with Rand

> (via

>> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time

of day at first!), and

> now before

>> I even go through my next test you plan

to have your surgery

> dates! I'm

>> only a little perturbed (and not by

you). I have a complex case,

> and I want

>> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan

well. I just find the

> whole thing

>> kind of funny.

>>

>> I too like to touch all the bases and

plan everything in advance,

> but I'll

>> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

>>

>> :^)

>>

>> Sharon

>>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers *

revision candidates

>

March 25, 2006

I think because I was younger (11) when I had it I didn't really

grasp what was going on. I remember the overwhelming feeling of

being tired all the time while recovering (and I would not take my

pain meds then either LOL)I also remember being in a lot of pain. I

did heal a lot quicker than anticipated (motivated by the terrible

food in the hospital and the need to be outside as a child). I am a

little freaked about the surgery but more freaked at the thought of

my back getting worse. Over the past 5 years I have unknowingly

been avoiding the things I normally love because of the pain and

fatigue.

Dr Rand said normally he would be telling some one my age to wait,

but since I don't have much mobility to lose it can only get

worse. " why wait until it has sucked the life out of me? " is waht I

was saying.

I bet my attitude will be way different a few days post op when I am

in the heat of it all. I am one of those people who wants get things

over and done with ASAP(can you tell?). Even if this ends up not

working perfectly it is better than not trying. I hope we end up

having surgery close in dates so we can compare notes.

Jolynn

> >>

> >> I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for later,

> > Jolynn.

> >>

> >> I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my first

> > visit with

> >> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive

patience

> > on my

> >> part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this past

> > week. So

> >> now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and probably

> > visit a

> >> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule surgery.

I

> > too was

> >> hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my sister

is

> > willing to

> >> come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I may

> > need to be

> >> more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for

schedule.

> >>

> >> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with Rand

> > (via

> >> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!), and

> > now before

> >> I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery

> > dates! I'm

> >> only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex

case,

> > and I want

> >> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find the

> > whole thing

> >> kind of funny.

> >>

> >> I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in

advance,

> > but I'll

> >> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

> >>

> >> :^)

> >>

> >> Sharon

> >>

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

March 25, 2006

Jolynn, I suspect you also weren't stretched on a rack, put in a horrid body

cast up to your head, and made to stay in bed for about 4 months.

That's ok, I had it easier than a lot of folks before me. When I was a baby

they said I would be looking at 2 operations with 6 months in bed for each

one. They didn't even talk about traction, but I understand halo traction

was not uncommon in that era.

http://milwaukee.brace.nu/Text/HaloHoop.html

The above link obviously shows actual medical photos, but if you peruse the

entire site the tone is a touch, dare I say, gleeful. It links to a site

that unabashedly promotes back and neck braces for, ahem, recreational

purposes. Gosh, if only my sis and I had known how sexy our Milwaukees

were! That said, this is an amazing gallery of the ever-comical (if painful

and even cruel) human quest for a healthier, or at least straighter, spine.

Regarding not having much mobility to lose, Dr. Rand said that to me as

well, and I plan to question him again about it. He said he couldn't see

any movement in my lumbar spine, but I'm pretty sure I still have some.

Could it be in my SI joints? I really feel that I can tilt my pelvis

somewhat, and even bend a bit side-to-side. Cam said he told her the same

thing, but she feels a definite difference fused to the sacrum. As

uncomfortable as it is being stuck in a position of no lumbar lordosis, I

can't help but notice how much it facilitates reaching my feet, working in

the garden, etc. A completely inflexible and permanent lumbar lordosis will

no doubt come with its own set of problems.

I suppose my problem is that I think too much.

Sharon

[ ] Re: I will be scheduling surgery next week

>I think because I was younger (11) when I had it I didn't really

> grasp what was going on. I remember the overwhelming feeling of

> being tired all the time while recovering (and I would not take my

> pain meds then either LOL)I also remember being in a lot of pain. I

> did heal a lot quicker than anticipated (motivated by the terrible

> food in the hospital and the need to be outside as a child). I am a

> little freaked about the surgery but more freaked at the thought of

> my back getting worse. Over the past 5 years I have unknowingly

> been avoiding the things I normally love because of the pain and

> fatigue.

>

> Dr Rand said normally he would be telling some one my age to wait,

> but since I don't have much mobility to lose it can only get

> worse. " why wait until it has sucked the life out of me? " is waht I

> was saying.

> I bet my attitude will be way different a few days post op when I am

> in the heat of it all. I am one of those people who wants get things

> over and done with ASAP(can you tell?). Even if this ends up not

> working perfectly it is better than not trying. I hope we end up

> having surgery close in dates so we can compare notes.

>

> Jolynn

>

>> >>

>> >> I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for later,

>> > Jolynn.

>> >>

>> >> I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my first

>> > visit with

>> >> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive

> patience

>> > on my

>> >> part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this past

>> > week. So

>> >> now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and probably

>> > visit a

>> >> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule surgery.

> I

>> > too was

>> >> hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my sister

> is

>> > willing to

>> >> come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I may

>> > need to be

>> >> more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for

> schedule.

>> >>

>> >> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with Rand

>> > (via

>> >> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!), and

>> > now before

>> >> I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery

>> > dates! I'm

>> >> only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex

> case,

>> > and I want

>> >> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find the

>> > whole thing

>> >> kind of funny.

>> >>

>> >> I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in

> advance,

>> > but I'll

>> >> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

>> >>

>> >> :^)

>> >>

>> >> Sharon

>> >>

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

March 25, 2006

No body cast for me, but I did wear a brace for about 3-4 years. The

only time on a rack that I spent was in the casting of the braces. I

cannot imagine it for more than the little bit of time I was there.

It did seem rather like torture. Sorry to hear your surgery was so

rough.

I know there will be a difference in the loss of mobility, but my

ribs currently hit my hip bones and I barely bend down to do

anything any more. I am assuming that when gardening I could just

sit on the ground and plant or whatever in that vicinity(super small

yard)as I have to do now. I wish I could see some one who has had

the surgery and ask them to do things like try to tie their shoe or

scratch the bottom of their foot or even garden. So I could see the

limitations they have. I would love to know if anyone has given up a

hobby or interest after the surgery because of the limitations. I

love to garden and shop. I am hoping I will still be able to do

both. One concern I have is that I have a little dog and I am not

sure how I would leash him and stuff to take him out. I guess I

could get him to jump on the couch next to me.

I am not too worried about the actual surgery or recovery as that

will pass with time (year or longer I suspect) but more about the

mobility and difference that I may have for the rest of my life. I

am hoping it will be like when I had the first one that there was a

difference, but I adapted and was able to be independant.

I don't know how old you were when you had your surgery but my back

was not nearly finished growing at the time and did not grow very

much after. I now have the same length torso I did when I was 11 and

the arms of a person who would be over 6 feet tall. I am thinking my

long arm length (and hyper mobility from the marfan) would help me

out with a few things. When I stand with my arms to the side my

fingers end at the top of my knees. I am sure they will come a

little higher after the surgery. This is all just speculation I

won't know until after the procedure.

I just feel like it won't go away and it is only going to get worse

so I just want the whole damn thing over with so I can accept how I

will be and deal with life after that. I hope the surgery will be

for the better. I feel like whatever I have to lose is going to get

lost anyway but only after I am in so much pain that life is

miserable for me until I have it. I feel like the younger I am the

quicker (although probably not by much) the recovery.

Jolynn

> >> >>

> >> >> I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for

later,

> >> > Jolynn.

> >> >>

> >> >> I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my

first

> >> > visit with

> >> >> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive

> > patience

> >> > on my

> >> >> part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this

past

> >> > week. So

> >> >> now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and

probably

> >> > visit a

> >> >> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule

surgery.

> > I

> >> > too was

> >> >> hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my

sister

> > is

> >> > willing to

> >> >> come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I

may

> >> > need to be

> >> >> more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for

> > schedule.

> >> >>

> >> >> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with

Rand

> >> > (via

> >> >> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!),

and

> >> > now before

> >> >> I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery

> >> > dates! I'm

> >> >> only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex

> > case,

> >> > and I want

> >> >> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find

the

> >> > whole thing

> >> >> kind of funny.

> >> >>

> >> >> I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in

> > advance,

> >> > but I'll

> >> >> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

> >> >>

> >> >> :^)

> >> >>

> >> >> Sharon

> >> >>

> >> >

> >> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >> >

March 25, 2006

Jolynn, I understand what you mean about losing the ability to do things

whether we have surgery or not. This point of diminishing returns is where

I seem to be now. The thing that has held me back has been the fact that

I've had little actual back pain, and so many " revised " people seem to be on

more pain medication than I am currently. I too have ribs touching my

pelvis in front and unusually long arms for my height. I was fused at age

13, but with little improvement of my curvatures. I estimate I should have

been around 5' 7 " , and before losing height to flatback I was 5' 2 1/2 " . I

don't think it likely that I'll lose the ability to wipe my butt, but am not

so sure about cutting toenails. Funny the things we consider.

The thing that will probably really get me on the operating table ASAP will

be if I'm told that my tethered spinal cord is likely to lead gradually to

incontinence, increased pain, and paralysis. This stuff isn't typical of

flatback sufferers, but this is one of the things that makes my case unique.

I actually have found others with congenital scoliosis and various forms of

spina bifida in my years on the flatback forums. For you the impetus seems

to be the Marfan's. That sucks just as badly as scoliosis, and though this

isn't a Marfan's group, it's part of who you are, so you're always welcome

to share it.

All this rambling is just to say that while we share some pretty specific

stuff, we are an amazingly diverse group, and only you know when the time is

right for you. I wish you the best for it, and who knows, maybe we will be

seeing each other in the hospital.

Sharon

[ ] Re: I will be scheduling surgery next week

> No body cast for me, but I did wear a brace for about 3-4 years. The

> only time on a rack that I spent was in the casting of the braces. I

> cannot imagine it for more than the little bit of time I was there.

> It did seem rather like torture. Sorry to hear your surgery was so

> rough.

>

> I know there will be a difference in the loss of mobility, but my

> ribs currently hit my hip bones and I barely bend down to do

> anything any more. I am assuming that when gardening I could just

> sit on the ground and plant or whatever in that vicinity(super small

> yard)as I have to do now. I wish I could see some one who has had

> the surgery and ask them to do things like try to tie their shoe or

> scratch the bottom of their foot or even garden. So I could see the

> limitations they have. I would love to know if anyone has given up a

> hobby or interest after the surgery because of the limitations. I

> love to garden and shop. I am hoping I will still be able to do

> both. One concern I have is that I have a little dog and I am not

> sure how I would leash him and stuff to take him out. I guess I

> could get him to jump on the couch next to me.

>

> I am not too worried about the actual surgery or recovery as that

> will pass with time (year or longer I suspect) but more about the

> mobility and difference that I may have for the rest of my life. I

> am hoping it will be like when I had the first one that there was a

> difference, but I adapted and was able to be independant.

>

> I don't know how old you were when you had your surgery but my back

> was not nearly finished growing at the time and did not grow very

> much after. I now have the same length torso I did when I was 11 and

> the arms of a person who would be over 6 feet tall. I am thinking my

> long arm length (and hyper mobility from the marfan) would help me

> out with a few things. When I stand with my arms to the side my

> fingers end at the top of my knees. I am sure they will come a

> little higher after the surgery. This is all just speculation I

> won't know until after the procedure.

>

> I just feel like it won't go away and it is only going to get worse

> so I just want the whole damn thing over with so I can accept how I

> will be and deal with life after that. I hope the surgery will be

> for the better. I feel like whatever I have to lose is going to get

> lost anyway but only after I am in so much pain that life is

> miserable for me until I have it. I feel like the younger I am the

> quicker (although probably not by much) the recovery.

>

> Jolynn

>

>> >> >>

>> >> >> I did realize you were going to schedule your surgery for

> later,

>> >> > Jolynn.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> I had my MRI in December, just a couple of weeks after my

> first

>> >> > visit with

>> >> >> Dr. Rand, and thanks to a comedy of errors and excessive

>> > patience

>> >> > on my

>> >> >> part, he didn't even get around to looking at it until this

> past

>> >> > week. So

>> >> >> now I'm being told I have to have the CT myelogram and

> probably

>> >> > visit a

>> >> >> neurosurgeon before I can see Rand again and schedule

> surgery.

>> > I

>> >> > too was

>> >> >> hoping for surgery in late spring or summer, because my

> sister

>> > is

>> >> > willing to

>> >> >> come up from SC and help out, and she teaches college. So I

> may

>> >> > need to be

>> >> >> more pushy about scheduling in order to meet my hoped-for

>> > schedule.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Meanwhile, you join the forum, make your first contact with

> Rand

>> >> > (via

>> >> >> Priscilla, who wouldn't give you the time of day at first!),

> and

>> >> > now before

>> >> >> I even go through my next test you plan to have your surgery

>> >> > dates! I'm

>> >> >> only a little perturbed (and not by you). I have a complex

>> > case,

>> >> > and I want

>> >> >> Dr. Rand to take the time needed to plan well. I just find

> the

>> >> > whole thing

>> >> >> kind of funny.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> I too like to touch all the bases and plan everything in

>> > advance,

>> >> > but I'll

>> >> >> admit I'm not exactly a type A.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> :^)

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Sharon

>> >> >>

>> >> >

>> >> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >> >

March 25, 2006

Hi sharon,

I hope we do get to be in the hospital at the same time. It would be

nice, well as nice as you can expect a hospital stay to be. I am glad

that you are not feeling a lot of pain. I don't think I would do the

surgery either if I was not feeling as much pain as I am.

Jolynn

March 25, 2006

So, is most of your pain in your back? Mine is mostly in the neck,

shoulders, and legs. And I've been able to fare pretty well on meds, but

the side-effects, the difficulty walking, and the reduction in activity

required to keep pain levels low, have all conspired to make my life smaller

and smaller. So maybe it is pain that's motivating me.

Sharon

[ ] Re: I will be scheduling surgery next week

> Hi sharon,

> I hope we do get to be in the hospital at the same time. It would be

> nice, well as nice as you can expect a hospital stay to be. I am glad

> that you are not feeling a lot of pain. I don't think I would do the

> surgery either if I was not feeling as much pain as I am.

>

> Jolynn

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

March 26, 2006

Sharon, you made a very good point about it being easy to garden

while bent over.

I would also like to add that it is very comfortable to sit on a 10

speed bike and it is a great position for dancing to reggae and soca

(and dancing to Caribbean music is absolutely one of my favorite

things in the world to do!)

Since my rods go all the way down into my pelvis, I had been

thinking that I wouldn't lose much mobility, but then as I leaned

over against the counter and twisted to get into position to wipe my

butt, I did wonder just how hard that would be if I couldn't twist!

As

> uncomfortable as it is being stuck in a position of no lumbar

lordosis, I

> can't help but notice how much it facilitates reaching my feet,

working in

> the garden, etc. A completely inflexible and permanent lumbar

lordosis will

> no doubt come with its own set of problems.

>

> I suppose my problem is that I think too much.

>

> Sharon

March 26, 2006

I ususally have a dull pain that is livable deep in my left butt

cheek down that thigh, I get a dull ache in my back when I do almost

anything that requires standing or using my upper body such as

getting laundry out of the washer and dryer or vacuuming. The back

pain will soon turn into more of a sharp pain if I am gung ho about

getting something done (like heavy duty grocery shopping or cleaning

the tubs). If I stand with out support for too long (10 minutes) it

hurts as well in my back. I can't sit or sleep in one postition too

long either and need to shift my weight alot. I do find my self

avoiding a lot of things that I normally enjoy due to the pain it

could possibly put me in.

I do get achey knees alot, The spine in my neck is rather curved and

I just physically cannot move my neck in certain postions but I

don't get any pain in my neck. The cane has helped dramaticly with

the back pain and walking.

Jolynn

>

> So, is most of your pain in your back? Mine is mostly in the

neck,

> shoulders, and legs. And I've been able to fare pretty well on

meds, but

> the side-effects, the difficulty walking, and the reduction in

activity

> required to keep pain levels low, have all conspired to make my

life smaller

> and smaller. So maybe it is pain that's motivating me.

>

> Sharon

>

> [ ] Re: I will be scheduling surgery next

week

>

> > Hi sharon,

> > I hope we do get to be in the hospital at the same time. It

would be

> > nice, well as nice as you can expect a hospital stay to be. I am

glad

> > that you are not feeling a lot of pain. I don't think I would do

the

> > surgery either if I was not feeling as much pain as I am.

> >

> > Jolynn

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

March 27, 2006

That's interesting, Jolynn. I have much of what you mention, but I guess

I've just been creative about avoiding pain. I didn't even realize until

after talking with Dr. Rand that it does hurt if I stand very long.

I haven't tried a cane. Maybe I'm dense, but I have trouble seeing how it

would be more of a help than a burden -- one more thing to carry. But I

love having the handicapped placard.

Sharon

[ ] Re: I will be scheduling surgery next

> week

>>

>> > Hi sharon,

>> > I hope we do get to be in the hospital at the same time. It

> would be

>> > nice, well as nice as you can expect a hospital stay to be. I am

> glad

>> > that you are not feeling a lot of pain. I don't think I would do

> the

>> > surgery either if I was not feeling as much pain as I am.

>> >

>> > Jolynn

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

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