Re: hello I am new....

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to ur corner of the world. You have come to the right

place...we started this group, (and it really is a group effort), to

inform, share and support people like ourselves. There just isn't a

support group in every town like there is for the more prevalent

conditions. So we do it on-line and learn what we can from each

other.

I am also a Rand patient and am 1 week shy of my one year revision

surgery anniversary. I have maintained a log of sorts over in

the " files " section on the site which recount my past year. Each of

us have different health challenges and come to the surgery at

various ages (I was 48) and at varying degrees of fitness...so you

can never assume your situation is the " same " as someone

elses....but at least you can see that I survived the surgery and am

doing well... at least I think I am, I will have to have my follow

up visit before I can say that for sure. I do almost any activity I

wish and have no pain at all ( well thats not quite right...I have

the usually creaks of anyone almost 50...but nothing that requires

and meds/intervention).

My surgery also included retaining most of my original Harrington

Rod with just removal of about 2 " . I also had the two day/3 surgery

to accomplish the revision. It is no fun...but if you have read

back a few weeks you can follow s recent experience (also

similar surgery with Rand) and as she said to me yesterday...it

really is amazing that even though you feel pretty bad the first

48hours out of surgery...with any luck you too will find that you

rebound fairly quickly.

I am sorry that you haven't got an immediate support network around

you that understands what you are going through. Hopefully we can

all help you through!

Never mind the impending surgery and the huge toll that is going to

place on your cardiovascular system....quitting smoking is the very

best gift you could have given yourself. You are improving your

chances of living healthily, and well, for many years. Dont keep

looking back on it as a loss! You are courageous for quitting and

now taking on your spinal problems.

You can, and will, have brighter days ahead.

Again, welcome to the group!

Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi, .

You and I are practically neighbors! On those rare occasions when I go to

Boston I actually get on the highway in Methuen.

Did I meet you recently on Salvaged Sisters? If so, I'm glad you followed

my link, and welcome.

I don't know how much reading you've done here, but this group was actually

started by a post-revision patient of Dr. Rand (Cam), with help from a

couple other people, as she will no doubt point out if I don't. There's

also a gal who just got out of the hospital after revision by Rand (

P.), and one who's headed there soon (Vonnie). The wonderful artwork on the

homepage was done by a Rand patient (Ann). And, no, this is not an all-New

England site; it just seems that way sometimes. :^)

My understanding of his method is that he uses the upper portion of the old

Harrington rod to hang the new instrumentation from, for stability. I plan

to question him on that, as I know it has made my thorasic spine flat, and I

just generally have a dislike for the old hunk o' metal.

But chances are that I'll simply go with his plan, as he's the expert, and

others have been happy with his work. Also, if he doesn't remove the upper

part there will be no need for any cutting in the thorasic region.

BTW, there's also a Dr. Glazer at Boston Beth Israel, if you want a second

opinion. Carolyn P. (who hasn't posted lately -- hopefully a good sign) had

her revision with him, if my memory serves me.

I'm sorry you're having so much pain, but glad you're sharing your journey

with us.

Sharon in southern NH

[ ] hello I am new....

> Hi everyone!

>

> My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand here in Boston, and

> need revision. For five years I have known this, but thought I

> would get over it. Nope.

>

> So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do two or three surgeries

> in a row and I need to give six pints of blood (thats half!) due to

> loss. He spent a lot of time explaining everything, but he stated

> that he is keeping, for some reason, my Harrington rod, or cutting

> it and adding to it, putting in tons of screws, hooks and more rods.

>

> I am terrified. I see him in a few weeks and need to schedule

> surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit a 25 year smoking habit

> just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me while smoking- and it is

> SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being overmedicated with

> narcotics, and now take methadone for one year, which does not help

> me. I am disabled at this time, but go to school full time. I

> switched to online at my school, and am about to get my BS in

> Management Informatino Systems. It is a rigorous program and I am

> not sure I can keep it up with the pain and fear. I have nobody to

> really talk to, my partner of ten years left me because she could

> not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.

>

> Thank you all for listening and being here. I would love to get to

> know you, and understand this process more. I am open to finding

> courage in others' experiences, and please feel free to email me.

>

> I live in Methuen, MA and am home all of the time. Thanks for being

> here, you are all truly amazing!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon!

Yes, I am aka Sheridan.

I have not read your email yet, but want

to thank you SO much for your kindness…..I am SO scared and feel very

alone. I will read your email and reply asap! Thank you so much again, Sharon, for being so open

and ‘there’, it made me ask for help.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sharon Green

Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006

5:31 PM

To:

Subject: Re: [ ]

hello I am new....

Hi, .

You and I are practically neighbors! On

those rare occasions when I go to

Boston I actually get on the highway in Methuen.

Did I meet you recently on Salvaged Sisters?

If so, I'm glad you followed

my link, and welcome.

I don't know how much reading you've done here,

but this group was actually

started by a post-revision patient of Dr. Rand (Cam), with help from a

couple other people, as she will no doubt point

out if I don't. There's

also a gal who just got out of the hospital after

revision by Rand (

P.), and one who's headed there soon

(Vonnie). The wonderful artwork on the

homepage was done by a Rand

patient (Ann). And, no, this is not an all-New

England site; it just seems that way sometimes. :^)

My understanding of his method is that he uses the

upper portion of the old

Harrington rod to hang the new instrumentation

from, for stability. I plan

to question him on that, as I know it has made my

thorasic spine flat, and I

just generally have a dislike for the old hunk o'

metal.

But chances are that I'll simply go with his plan,

as he's the expert, and

others have been happy with his work. Also,

if he doesn't remove the upper

part there will be no need for any cutting in the

thorasic region.

BTW, there's also a Dr. Glazer at Boston Beth

Israel, if you want a second

opinion. Carolyn P. (who hasn't posted

lately -- hopefully a good sign) had

her revision with him, if my memory serves me.

I'm sorry you're having so much pain, but glad

you're sharing your journey

with us.

Sharon in southern NH

[ ] hello I am new....

> Hi everyone!

>

> My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand

here in Boston,

and

> need revision. For five years I have

known this, but thought I

> would get over it. Nope.

>

> So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do

two or three surgeries

> in a row and I need to give six pints of

blood (thats half!) due to

> loss. He spent a lot of time explaining

everything, but he stated

> that he is keeping, for some reason, my

Harrington rod, or cutting

> it and adding to it, putting in tons of

screws, hooks and more rods.

>

> I am terrified. I see him in a few

weeks and need to schedule

> surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit

a 25 year smoking habit

> just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me

while smoking- and it is

> SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being

overmedicated with

> narcotics, and now take methadone for one

year, which does not help

> me. I am disabled at this time, but go

to school full time. I

> switched to online at my school, and am about

to get my BS in

> Management Informatino Systems. It is a

rigorous program and I am

> not sure I can keep it up with the pain and

fear. I have nobody to

> really talk to, my partner of ten years left

me because she could

> not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.

>

> Thank you all for listening and being

here. I would love to get to

> know you, and understand this process

more. I am open to finding

> courage in others' experiences, and please

feel free to email me.

>

> I live in Methuen, MA

and am home all of the time. Thanks for being

> here, you are all truly amazing!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers *

revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Thank you again, and I have been seeing Dr

Rand for two years now. I smoked a LOT when we met, and he would not touch me

without quitting, and I finally did last April. I am seeing him February 22

and my goal is to get a surgery date, because this pain is totally unbearable

now.

I lived in Derry for a bit when we first

moved back here from Sarasota,

Fl where I had been living. Please feel free to contact me and possibly could

be in surgery at the same time- that would be something! I am very friendly

and this has drained a lot of who I truly am. I have become somewhat of a

recluse, but would love to meet for coffee sometime if you would like. We will

see.

Please tell me more about yourself. Have you

had surgery? Harrington rod? I am 39, live with my roommate and partner of

five years and really don’t take pain medication anymore. I go to school

full time- a course per month! I started when this did, and maintained a 4.0

average somehow!

So I do hope to hear back from you soon,

and I will try to trust Rand, he really is the

best, I know. I have such issues with dying, I don’t know what it is

about, but I feel like I will during one of the two or three he is doing, and I

know it is something I need to speak to someone such as a professional about. I

haven’t had anyone this whole time and it is breaking me- again, thanks

for your kindness.

Hugs!

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sharon Green

Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006

5:31 PM

To:

Subject: Re: [ ]

hello I am new....

Hi, .

You and I are practically neighbors! On

those rare occasions when I go to

Boston I actually get on the highway in Methuen.

Did I meet you recently on Salvaged Sisters?

If so, I'm glad you followed

my link, and welcome.

I don't know how much reading you've done here,

but this group was actually

started by a post-revision patient of Dr. Rand (Cam), with help from a

couple other people, as she will no doubt point

out if I don't. There's

also a gal who just got out of the hospital after

revision by Rand (

P.), and one who's headed there soon

(Vonnie). The wonderful artwork on the

homepage was done by a Rand

patient (Ann). And, no, this is not an all-New

England site; it just seems that way sometimes. :^)

My understanding of his method is that he uses the

upper portion of the old

Harrington rod to hang the new instrumentation

from, for stability. I plan

to question him on that, as I know it has made my

thorasic spine flat, and I

just generally have a dislike for the old hunk o'

metal.

But chances are that I'll simply go with his plan,

as he's the expert, and

others have been happy with his work. Also,

if he doesn't remove the upper

part there will be no need for any cutting in the

thorasic region.

BTW, there's also a Dr. Glazer at Boston Beth

Israel, if you want a second

opinion. Carolyn P. (who hasn't posted

lately -- hopefully a good sign) had

her revision with him, if my memory serves me.

I'm sorry you're having so much pain, but glad

you're sharing your journey

with us.

Sharon in southern NH

[ ] hello I am new....

> Hi everyone!

>

> My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand

here in Boston,

and

> need revision. For five years I have

known this, but thought I

> would get over it. Nope.

>

> So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do

two or three surgeries

> in a row and I need to give six pints of

blood (thats half!) due to

> loss. He spent a lot of time explaining

everything, but he stated

> that he is keeping, for some reason, my

Harrington rod, or cutting

> it and adding to it, putting in tons of

screws, hooks and more rods.

>

> I am terrified. I see him in a few

weeks and need to schedule

> surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit

a 25 year smoking habit

> just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me

while smoking- and it is

> SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being

overmedicated with

> narcotics, and now take methadone for one

year, which does not help

> me. I am disabled at this time, but go

to school full time. I

> switched to online at my school, and am about

to get my BS in

> Management Informatino Systems. It is a

rigorous program and I am

> not sure I can keep it up with the pain and

fear. I have nobody to

> really talk to, my partner of ten years left

me because she could

> not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.

>

> Thank you all for listening and being

here. I would love to get to

> know you, and understand this process

more. I am open to finding

> courage in others' experiences, and please

feel free to email me.

>

> I live in Methuen, MA

and am home all of the time. Thanks for being

> here, you are all truly amazing!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers *

revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Cam,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. What

an amazing group you all are, and I am grateful to now be a part of it. I appreciate

everyone’s stories, thoughts, and insights into what some view as a

terrible misfortune. I have always considered ‘us’ strong, we all

went through a lot and made it. Now, we just need to look for the good in

everything and hope all turns out for the best. I am again so grateful for

finding this corner of the world!

Cam, I look forward to reading your ‘diary’ and it is

amazing how many of these surgeries Dr Rand has done and I am lucky to have

him. So, I am 5.4, and will come out of the surgery taller? I really hope so….now

there is something to look forward to. Also, I have never had a weight issue,

and was in really good shape prior to my back degenerating and now because I cant

walk I have gained about 40 lbs and am about that much overweight, is that

normal? When I was medicated I could walk and take care of it, but now I just

cant. Also, does this extra weight usually come off during/after surgery?

Thanks for all the help, everyone.

Cam, thanks for the reply! Talk to you all soon.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltby

Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006

5:12 PM

To:

Subject: [ ] Re:

hello I am new....

Hi ,

Welcome to ur

corner of the world. You have come to the right

place...we started this group, (and it really is a

group effort), to

inform, share and support people like ourselves.

There just isn't a

support group in every town like there is for the

more prevalent

conditions. So we do it on-line and learn what we

can from each

other.

I am also a Rand

patient and am 1 week shy of my one year revision

surgery anniversary. I have maintained a log of

sorts over in

the " files " section on the site which

recount my past year. Each of

us have different health challenges and come to

the surgery at

various ages (I was 48) and at varying degrees of

fitness...so you

can never assume your situation is the

" same " as someone

elses....but at least you can see that I survived

the surgery and am

doing well... at least I think I am, I will have

to have my follow

up visit before I can say that for sure. I do

almost any activity I

wish and have no pain at all ( well thats not

quite right...I have

the usually creaks of anyone almost 50...but

nothing that requires

and meds/intervention).

My surgery also included retaining most of my

original Harrington

Rod with just removal of about 2 " . I also had

the two day/3 surgery

to accomplish the revision. It is no

fun...but if you have read

back a few weeks you can follow s recent

experience (also

similar surgery with Rand) and as she said to me

yesterday...it

really is amazing that even though you feel pretty

bad the first

48hours out of surgery...with any luck you too

will find that you

rebound fairly quickly.

I am sorry that you haven't got an immediate

support network around

you that understands what you are going through.

Hopefully we can

all help you through!

Never mind the impending surgery and the huge toll

that is going to

place on your cardiovascular system....quitting

smoking is the very

best gift you could have given yourself. You are

improving your

chances of living healthily, and well, for many

years. Dont keep

looking back on it as a loss! You are courageous

for quitting and

now taking on your spinal problems.

You can, and will, have brighter days ahead.

Again, welcome to the group!

Cam

[Guest guest]

Good luck to you . I know it is

a hard decision to make to having revision surgery. I’m glad to say

I made my decision and it is over and done with. I’m still in the

throws of healing and it is a long road. Every morning I wake up saying

I’m one day closer to feeling better and getting better.

Congratulations on quitting smoking.

You do want to be your healthiest going into the surgery. Think of it as

preparing for an “Olympic Competition.” You have to be in the

best shape.

Keep ups abreast of your progress.

Lorrie Snyder

Ellicott City, MD

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of misgrrl

Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006

4:46 PM

To:

Subject: [ ] hello

I am new....

Hi everyone!

My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand here

in Boston, and

need revision. For five years I have known

this, but thought I

would get over it. Nope.

So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do two

or three surgeries

in a row and I need to give six pints of blood

(thats half!) due to

loss. He spent a lot of time explaining

everything, but he stated

that he is keeping, for some reason, my Harrington

rod, or cutting

it and adding to it, putting in tons of screws,

hooks and more rods.

I am terrified. I see him in a few weeks and

need to schedule

surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit a 25

year smoking habit

just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me while

smoking- and it is

SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being

overmedicated with

narcotics, and now take methadone for one year,

which does not help

me. I am disabled at this time, but go to

school full time. I

switched to online at my school, and am about to

get my BS in

Management Informatino Systems. It is a

rigorous program and I am

not sure I can keep it up with the pain and

fear. I have nobody to

really talk to, my partner of ten years left me

because she could

not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.

Thank you all for listening and being here.

I would love to get to

know you, and understand this process more.

I am open to finding

courage in others' experiences, and please feel

free to email me.

I live in Methuen,

MA and am home all of the

time. Thanks for being

here, you are all truly amazing!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm really glad Dr. Rand got you to quit smoking. That can be life-saving for anyone. For us scoliosis patients it's essential. You may have read some stuff I posted in your Salvaged thread about my dad. I once asked him why he smoked for so long, given the knowledge that scoliosis restricts lung capacity. At least he has since quit. He stopped in his sixties, when his internist asked him how he'd like to live a little longer.

As you may have gathered, I am from one big scoli family, but interestingly mine is not the family idiopathic scoliosis, as I was born with congenital scoliosis and spina bifida occulta. What that means is that my spine failed to close correctly some time within the first 3 weeks of gestation. Some of my vertebrae formed incorrectly, causing the spine to grow crooked. Some of my spinal nerves are not contained properly in the spinal canal, but I am not at all paralyzed (incredibly fortunate). I have only recently had my first spine MRI, so I'm dying to know what's actually going on neurally. During my Harrington rod fusion surgery, Shriners', Springfield, 1971, the surgeons by-passed the bifid area and I got out of there with no nerve damage. Even though I was born with scoliosis the doctors treated me about the same as they would treat an idiopathic patient. They waited until I was 13 before performing surgery. Today congenital scoliosis surgery is done much sooner, so the child avoids becoming progressively more crooked, but techniques were a lot less sophisticated in the '60s. (In case you don't want to do your own math, I'm 47 now.) :^) My curvature measured about 74 degrees before surgery and is about 60 degrees now. The curvature has not progressed, but I have developed flatback, and degeneration of my lower lumbar joints. I too have procrastinated regarding surgery, for about 5 years. Just giving the docs more time to practice, don't you know!

I live in Pelham with my husband of 15 years, and my "children" are a pretty little parrot and 2 chinchillas. I was a piano teacher, but "tendonitis" in my hands sort of forced me to stop teaching once I had the support of my husband. I suspect there is a connection to my spine but don't know for sure. I do my best to keep things together here and to give my husband the support he needs to keep bringing in money (which translates as he works, I do everything else.) So I know my surgery and convalesence will be a big deal for him. He just told me that his company is changing health insurance carriers, which has me somewhat worried. What timing!

We should definitely meet some time. My schedule is flexible (unlike my body!), so let me know what works for you. It does sound like we could end up in the hospital at the same time, but I'm going to try to work around my sister's teaching schedule so she can come help out for a couple of weeks after I get out of the hospital. So It may be late spring or summer.

Take care,

Sharon

[ ] hello I am new....> Hi everyone!>> My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand here in Boston, and> need revision. For five years I have known this, but thought I> would get over it. Nope.>> So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do two or three surgeries> in a row and I need to give six pints of blood (thats half!) due to> loss. He spent a lot of time explaining everything, but he stated> that he is keeping, for some reason, my Harrington rod, or cutting> it and adding to it, putting in tons of screws, hooks and more rods.>> I am terrified. I see him in a few weeks and need to schedule> surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit a 25 year smoking habit> just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me while smoking- and it is> SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being overmedicated with> narcotics, and now take methadone for one year, which does not help> me. I am disabled at this time, but go to school full time. I> switched to online at my school, and am about to get my BS in> Management Informatino Systems. It is a rigorous program and I am> not sure I can keep it up with the pain and fear. I have nobody to> really talk to, my partner of ten years left me because she could> not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.>> Thank you all for listening and being here. I would love to get to> know you, and understand this process more. I am open to finding> courage in others' experiences, and please feel free to email me.>> I live in Methuen, MA and am home all of the time. Thanks for being> here, you are all truly amazing!>> >>>>>>>> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates>

[Guest guest]

, I'm just sorry I didn't look back at the old forum sooner. A lot of us use multiple sites, but this one is my current fave. Sometimes there are so many posts it's hard to keep up, let alone checking the old groups. Even Kathleen, the originator of Salvaged Sisters posts here. Ideally we should all link to each other so everyone makes the connections they need. This flatback stuff is such a specialized problem, it's just amazing how many of us there are. And for the most part, everyone is very kind and understanding and willing to share information.

I know I'm not the only one scanning other forums and inviting people here, but I was the one who found you. I'm just sorry I took so long. When I saw Rand's name I just had to jump in. There are so many of us! We should all get T shirts that say "Another Friend of ", he-he, for our next New England Flatbackers get-together. (Well, ok, there's only been one official one so far, 2 years ago, but there COULD be another one!)

Welcome again, , and I look forward to getting to know you.

Sharon

[ ] hello I am new....> Hi everyone!>> My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand here in Boston, and> need revision. For five years I have known this, but thought I> would get over it. Nope.>> So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do two or three surgeries> in a row and I need to give six pints of blood (thats half!) due to> loss. He spent a lot of time explaining everything, but he stated> that he is keeping, for some reason, my Harrington rod, or cutting> it and adding to it, putting in tons of screws, hooks and more rods.>> I am terrified. I see him in a few weeks and need to schedule> surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit a 25 year smoking habit> just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me while smoking- and it is> SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being overmedicated with> narcotics, and now take methadone for one year, which does not help> me. I am disabled at this time, but go to school full time. I> switched to online at my school, and am about to get my BS in> Management Informatino Systems. It is a rigorous program and I am> not sure I can keep it up with the pain and fear. I have nobody to> really talk to, my partner of ten years left me because she could> not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.>> Thank you all for listening and being here. I would love to get to> know you, and understand this process more. I am open to finding> courage in others' experiences, and please feel free to email me.>> I live in Methuen, MA and am home all of the time. Thanks for being> here, you are all truly amazing!>> >>>>>>>> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates>

[Guest guest]

,

Hmmm...I don't know what will happen for you. My surgery included

the insertion of two cages and when all was said and done I was back

up to my former height of 6'1 " ....I has gotten down to close to

5'11 " .

As I had gone from an active lifestyle to debilitating pain....over

a fair quick course of time, I also gained some weight...but in the

4 months prior to surgery I was determined to improve my cardio

capacity and at least halt the weight gain ..so I found a water

routine that worked for me and was pretty diligent about getting to

the pool 4-5 times a week. I did not have pain free workouts...but

the extra strength I got back probably helped me once in the

recovery mode. Perhaps you can try an easy water workout too? I

could not do anything that was weight bearing but the pool workouts

were okay....after I figured out the right modifications.

I don't know how much weight you will loose in surgery. I lost about

14 lbs and over the recovery period, (which is fairly sedentary and

offers many opportunites to comfort yourself with food!) I probably

put 10 back on. Now at a year post-op I am able to " go the other

way " by swimming 3 times a week at a fairly brisk pace and the usual

implementaion of good eating habits. I am almost back to my target

weight.

I too was a skiier all my life. In fact the last time I skiied was

two years ago this month....just before I figured out what was going

on and why my foot was going numb...I thought my ski boot was too

tight! When I saw Rand that spring he said I might be able to ski

in the future. Six months ago I thought that would never happen...I

felt very fragile. Now I am not going to say never....although it

will definitley not be this winter!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi , I am happy that you have found this group as I know first hand how wonderful it to have the support from people who REALLY get "it" This is a very painful confusing and at times depressing thing that we all share. I know before I found this group I felt very alone and scared and that eventhough my family wanted to understand what I was going through they couldn't. I can say you are taking a proactive step in your process by gettting involved and asking as much as you can....you can pretty much bet on anything you feel or want to know atleast one of the members of this family has either been through or is going through, no question is too big or too small....we are here for each other and for you! Suziemisgrrl <misgrrl@...> wrote: Hi everyone!My name is and I am a

patient of Dr Rand here in Boston, and need revision. For five years I have known this, but thought I would get over it. Nope.So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do two or three surgeries in a row and I need to give six pints of blood (thats half!) due to loss. He spent a lot of time explaining everything, but he stated that he is keeping, for some reason, my Harrington rod, or cutting it and adding to it, putting in tons of screws, hooks and more rods.I am terrified. I see him in a few weeks and need to schedule surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit a 25 year smoking habit just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me while smoking- and it is SO hard. I live in pain, got off off being overmedicated with narcotics, and now take methadone for one year, which does not help me. I am disabled at this time, but go to school full time. I switched to online at my school, and am about

to get my BS in Management Informatino Systems. It is a rigorous program and I am not sure I can keep it up with the pain and fear. I have nobody to really talk to, my partner of ten years left me because she could not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.Thank you all for listening and being here. I would love to get to know you, and understand this process more. I am open to finding courage in others' experiences, and please feel free to email me.I live in Methuen, MA and am home all of the time. Thanks for being here, you are all truly amazing!

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[Guest guest]

Hi , My name is Vonnie and I also see Dr.Rand and I am going to have my 1st surgery on the 4th of april and the other stage on the 28th of april.I quit smoking 10yrs. ago and I am so glad I did that,I did put on some weight but thats better than the smoking.I am taking it off slowly now (it only took 10 yrs.) LOL ..I am turning 50 in april, nice time to celebrate in the hospital.LOL. I am in water therapy now to try and get stronger for the surgery's,I really love it and feel alot better after and I think it is working.I have been in pain for alot of years now but the Mass General did 2 operations in 2002 and 2003 but they didn't work cause I need to have this surgery not what they did.(which was nothing.)So hear I am waiting and getting more nervous as time goes by.Glad to have you in the group and I'm sure I will be talking to you again. Dr.Rand is a great guy I will be seeing him on the 23rd of this month to go over everything he will be doing..Did you get a date for your

surgery yet? Take Care,Vonniemisgrrl <misgrrl@...> wrote: Hi everyone!My name is and I am a patient of Dr Rand here in Boston, and need revision. For five years I have known this, but thought I would get over it. Nope.So, I saw him, and he said he will have to do two or three surgeries in a row and I need to give six pints of blood (thats half!) due to loss. He spent a lot of time explaining everything, but he stated that he is keeping, for some reason, my Harrington rod, or cutting it and adding to it, putting in tons of screws, hooks and more rods.I am terrified. I see him in a few weeks and need to schedule surgery. I will be 40 in June, and quit a 25 year smoking habit just last April, Dr Rand would not touch me while smoking- and it is SO hard. I live

in pain, got off off being overmedicated with narcotics, and now take methadone for one year, which does not help me. I am disabled at this time, but go to school full time. I switched to online at my school, and am about to get my BS in Management Informatino Systems. It is a rigorous program and I am not sure I can keep it up with the pain and fear. I have nobody to really talk to, my partner of ten years left me because she could not handle it all, and frankly neither can I.Thank you all for listening and being here. I would love to get to know you, and understand this process more. I am open to finding courage in others' experiences, and please feel free to email me.I live in Methuen, MA and am home all of the time. Thanks for being here, you are all truly amazing!

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