New old member

Posted November 3, 2002 · November 3, 2002

Welcome back, !

I guess you DID get busy, mom of 5 BOYS?!!! " Somehow " ?????got busy?

LOL!! No mystery here. Hey, you have a perfect husband, ....cause my

grand-daddy told me that in the beginning, everyone was a , and as

they 'sinned' they had to change their name. LOL!! Glad you finally got

straight there.

One thing, I am jealous about, is toilet trained????? Am I

missing something here with Montyman??? I want that program! LOL!!

Actually, Montyman is doing very well in that department at the moment, but

is still not completely trained, and at age 20 I doubt he ever will be.

.....of course, he's way too smart and just recently I figured the 'mistakes'

he is having are little ways of control....he only has an 'accident' if he is

mad at me...or a teacher. hummmmmm

Donna, Montyman's Mom

Posted November 3, 2002 · November 3, 2002

Hi ,

Glad your back. How is everything?

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 9 DS/OCD ?

Posted November 3, 2002 · November 3, 2002

great to meet you again lisa, i think i do remember you and all your boys

briefly. shawna.

New old Member

> Hi All,

> I was a member about a year ago and was deleted somehow got busy and now I

am ready to particapate again.

> I am the mother to 5 boys 9,8,6,5, and 2 years old.

> My son 6 was dxed with about 2 years ago.

> He is currently placed out of district in a school specialized in autistic

children. He is potty trained, but only has a few words.

> We live in the northwest corner of Connecticut.

> Thanks,

>

Posted November 7, 2002 · November 7, 2002

In a message dated 11/3/02 9:07:10 AM Eastern Standard Time,

doug.smith@... writes:

> My son 6 was dxed with about 2 years ago.

> He is currently placed out of district in a school specialized in autistic

> children. He is potty trained, but only has a few words.

> We live in the northwest corner of Connecticut.

> Thanks,

>

Hi , welcome back. Yes, I do remember you, mostly because I think

is such a cute name!!! We are looking forward to hearing

tales again...;-)

Donna

Posted October 13, 2008 · October 13, 2008

OH WOW! I could have written that note 6 years ago! To make a long story

short, I was fused T2 to L5 in 2002, but not before asking those questions about

my limitations after surgery. He said I would be able to do about anything I

wanted to do, including riding a horse and a bicycle. I was very conerned about

being able to play with my grandchildren, one only a year old in 2002, so that

meant getting on the floor. Well, I was able to do all that, plus bend and get

stuff off the floor, do stairs, drive, anything I have wanted to do, I did.

And, I don't bend at the waist and walk like Quasimodo anymore, either, bending

to the right.

My prayers are with you. I know how important it is to be able to play with the

grandkids! As for the viola, yes, you will be able to do that. As for the

roses, yes, you will be able to do that. I suggest a three legged stool to sit

on and that will fit around the bushes.

lj

- On Mon, 10/13/08, ivyrosemom <mfulgham1@...> wrote:

From: ivyrosemom <mfulgham1@...>

Subject: new old member

Scoliosis Treatment

Date: Monday, October 13, 2008, 12:02 AM

Hello All,

I am a returning member from several years ago who is once again

considering whether to have the surgery. I first saw Dr. and

Dr. Harrington at age 16 when diagnosed w a 48degree lumbar curve. My

parents decided not to do it then. I have since spent my career as a

violist with the Houston Grand opera and ballet orchestras. Also I

mantain a garden of 400 roses, a serious hobby. After 20 yrs of

marriage, we gave up on infertility and adopted a baby from China.

That is when my knees blew out because she was anxious and I was

suddenly carrying a 16 lb. baby constantly. No replacements yet but

it's coming.

DD is now 14 and started high school. Seven years ago I saw Dr.

Dixon who reversed his previous stance and said I did need to have

the surgery and he introduced me to Dr. Hanson saying " and this is

the Dr. who will do it " . I got depressed, bought an arthritis

cookbook, joined this list, and learned about flat back syndrome and

many other things that made me feel as if I had dodged a bullet all

those years ago. Then I lost 40 lbs and got more regular about

Pilates and for a while things were somewhat better.

Two years ago I saw Dr. Lagrone after reading about him on this

list and we discussed how I could possibly have the surgery there in

Amarillo. Six months ago I developed a pinched nerve in my neck and I

have finally seen a surgeon to see what might be done about that. If

surgery is done for that it will involve one fusion. Meanwhile I have

an appt set with Dr. Hanson in a couple weeks.

Obviously I have been around the block with this issue. My curve

is 71 degrees as of two years ago, a much slower rate of growth than

Dr. Hanson suggested I would have, but certainly no fun as I feel

myself curling up into a ball. I have allowed all this to depress me

once again and gained back half the weight.

I read things here that scare me to death, such as the post

yesterday from the woman who has to squat ( which I haven't been able

to do for many years because of the knees) or bend from the top of

the legs. I am trying to imagine not being able to garden any more

which is what keeps me centered as a human being. ANd could I play

the viola? Dr. Hanson didn't seem to know 7 years ago.

My main desire is to be able to play with and help with my

Grandchildren and I am trying to figure out which course of action

will get me there. Ideas anyone?

Fulgham

Posted October 17, 2008 · October 17, 2008

,

I cannot twist my back to see things on my side/behind me, so I turn

my whole body. To pick up items off the floor, I use my toes if it's

small enough...otherwise, I squat at the knees & lower myself to the

object in question. (Many coworkers have commented on this method of

picking up things & have started doing it my way to ergonomically

preserve their lower backs.) I roll out of bed into the floor & then

stand up on my feet using my hand on the bed for extra support, if

needed. I've not been able to simply sit up from a lying position

since kindergarten, if then. I bring my feet up to me when putting on

shoes instead of trying to bend over to reach them.

My scoliosis was diagnosed at age 7 & I was immediately fitted with a

Milwaukee brace in 1972. During the 4 years of wearing it 23 hours a

day I became accustomed to all of the make-do methods I use to get

things done with an immobile torso. At the age of 42, now everything

is simply second nature.

While I was wearing my brace & then after the surgery when I'd

recovered enough & was wearing a cast...I rode my 10 speed bicycle &

participated in most of the activities in which my peers were

involved. The brace & cast both went from under my chin to the bottom

of my hips/top of my thighs. Both devices were more restrictive than

my Harrington rod from T3-L2 & fusion. Even though I could remove the

brace for 1 hour a day during those 4 years, it felt like a prison to

me. All of my movements now are second nature since I've been

immobile in the back/neck area since age 7 when scoliosis was first

diagnosed.

After the surgery, I was completely flat on the hospital bed for 30

days prior to being put in a body cast that covered the same area as

the brace. I wore the cast for a year. After that was removed, even

though my spine/trunk were immobile, I felt really free. In fact, I

had nightmares that I was still wearing the brace, but they went away

in my mid 30s

I know you are approaching this surgery at a later age than most, but

I don't think the rose gardening will be a problem for you. Roses

sound like a passion since you have so many of them ( & I bet they are

beautiful! You definitely get to stop & smell them...) & with that

passion as a motivating factor & the sense of aliveness &

connectedness to the earth...the gardening would be a motivating

factor to get you moving & the movement would be therapeutic. You

would bend from the knees & waist/turn your body completely instead

of twisting to reach a stem/raise up from your knees instead of

stretching forward. It might seem awkward in the beginning because it

will be different from what you've been doing all these years, but

you will get used to it before you know it.

My neck is not very mobile at all due to the 5 years spent

collectively in the 2 physical restraint contraptions, so it's only

really inconvenient for me when driving - specifically having to back

up, so I completely rely on my mirrors for that. When I'm conversing

with someone, I have them sit on my left side because my neck is more

flexible to the left. The fusion didn't change my neck mobility; the

curve itself & the immobility in the brace/cast contributed to its

status. If you're able to play the violin currently, I don't think

the surgery would change very much of your mobility in that area. I'm

fused from T3-L2 & my neck mobility has always been about the same.It

all depends on the vertebra(e) they intend to fuse.

Music is your life & a fusion will definitely cause a change in your

body structure.The key is the neurological side of this & where the

fusion will be...cervical, thoracic, or both. But, look at the

direction in which your spine is going...straightening it as much as

is possible might even make your playing more comfortable as far as

the violin is concerned. Music, as I'm sure you're very well aware,

is such a healing force in itself...I think as soon as you felt

comfortable & the docs said it was ok, I would play for sheer

enjoyment. The chin position does pose a question, for sure. Have you

asked the docs about that concern? I have seen all sorts of

instruments played by scoliosis patients. Lumbar fusion would also

affect the viola, but by how much depends on the degree of correction

of the 71 degree curve & how many vertebra are fused.

Looking at a neurological/cervial surgery with fusion AND a lumbar

correction are both daunting in & of themselves...let alone having 2

separate surgeries. It's no wonder you've gotten depressed & regained

some of the weight. The depression can be addressed both before &

after surgery. Losing the weight might be more difficult before

surgery depending on how much pain you are in. After surgery, you'll

be in pain for sure, but it will not last as long as you think. Your

increased resulting activity will naturally bring about weight loss.

The weight loss regimen including a dietary change will increase your

weight loss, as you know & that will improve your outlook.

It's amazing that you've made it " this far " in life before it caused

you significant problems. Many ppl on this forum have pain. I am one

of them, but my surgery was successful & I am sure it saved my life.

My lungs & heart were being compromised as I was rapidly bending

forward & to the right. I recovered from my surgery quickly & with

relatively little pain at age 11 from a 77 degree curve to a 52

degree curve. My pain was minimal most days with moderate/severe

flares occasionally prior to a car accident in 1997 that pushed me

over the edge into severe pain daily. So there were 20 years of doing

practically anything I wanted to do & if it weren't for that accident

I'd probably still be active. In fact, with the fusion & harrington

rod I was even more active than most ppl participating daily in

walks, bicycling, water aerobics, step aerobics, nautilus & dancing

on the weekends.

Now I have good days & bad days, but I found a pain clinic that

addresses the pain & keeps it under control. As many ppl here are

well aware how much surgery/treatment has changed over the years.

You'll be up & mobile quickly and although it takes a year or two for

the area to heal completely, you'll be feeling better probably a

little over a month or 2 out.

The gardening will take a while to get back into, but you will be

able to get out there, get your hands in the dirt, prune, fertilize

on a small scale to begin with.

**Discuss these concerns with doctors, physical therapists,

occupational therapists, physiologists, vocational rehab, social

workers, etc. & anybody that is connected to this area in the medical

profession. Many different resources should be able to give you some

information. Check with the scoliosis org website & any other forums

you can find similar to this one. Everyones experience is different &

you can get lots of information from what they've been thru...thus

getting advice on what you want as well as what you don't want.

I hope something in this dissertation has put your anxiety on a lower

level. It is a serious, life-altering surgery, but I've found it's

for the better. I personally know a handful of girls in my hometown

around my age who had the surgery in their teens & all of them have

families & careers and are doing well. Their curves weren't as severe

as mine & they got better corrections. Sometimes I've found ppl have

an extreme curve & not a lot of pain. It all depends on the areas

involved.

Wishing you all the best.... ~Moonbeam

>

> Hello All,

> I am a returning member from several years ago who is once again

> considering whether to have the surgery. I first saw Dr. and

> Dr. Harrington at age 16 when diagnosed w a 48degree lumbar curve.

My

> parents decided not to do it then. I have since spent my career as

a

> violist with the Houston Grand opera and ballet orchestras. Also I

> mantain a garden of 400 roses, a serious hobby. After 20 yrs of

> marriage, we gave up on infertility and adopted a baby from China.

> That is when my knees blew out because she was anxious and I was

> suddenly carrying a 16 lb. baby constantly. No replacements yet but

> it's coming.

>

I got depressed, bought an arthritis

> cookbook, joined this list, and learned about flat back syndrome

and many other things that made me feel as if I had dodged a bullet

all those years ago. Then I lost 40 lbs and got more regular about

> Pilates and for a while things were somewhat better.

> Two years ago I saw Dr. Lagrone after reading about him on this

> list and we discussed how I could possibly have the surgery there

in Amarillo. Six months ago I developed a pinched nerve in my neck

and I have finally seen a surgeon to see what might be done about

that. If surgery is done for that it will involve one fusion.

> Obviously I have been around the block with this issue. My curve

> is 71 degrees as of two years ago, a much slower rate of growth

than

> Dr. Hanson suggested I would have, but certainly no fun as I feel

> myself curling up into a ball. I have allowed all this to depress

me once again and gained back half the weight.

I read things here that scare me to death, such as the post

> yesterday from the woman who has to squat ( which I haven't been

able to do for many years because of the knees) or bend from the top

of the legs. I am trying to imagine not being able to garden any

more which is what keeps me centered as a human being. ANd could I

play the viola? Dr. Hanson didn't seem to know 7 years ago.

> My main desire is to be able to play with and help with my

> Grandchildren and I am trying to figure out which course of action

> will get me there. Ideas anyone?

> Fulgham

>

Posted October 18, 2008 · October 18, 2008

Only thing I can add to this is get a " grabber " Everyone should get one

along with an adjustable cane. My first surgery was in 1996 and I still

used that grabber a lot. It is especially great for picking up clothes

out of the clothes hamper. It's a life saver. Dereise.........

>

> ,

>

> I cannot twist my back to see things on my side/behind me, so I turn

> my whole body. To pick up items off the floor, I use my toes if it's

> small enough...otherwise, I squat at the knees & lower myself to the

> object in question.

Posted October 22, 2008 · October 22, 2008

I just found a " grabber " after nearly a decade of searching. They had

them for a brief time at our local Big Lots. ~Moonbeam

Posted by: " Dereise " dereise1958@... dereise1958

Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:37 am (PDT)

Only thing I can add to this is get a " grabber " Everyone should get one

along with an adjustable cane

Posted November 16, 2008 · November 16, 2008

Have you had bending xrays yet? If you have, your surgeon may have noticed that

after the fusion he plans, your neck vertebrae will be straighter and the

pinched nerve will no longer be pinched. Just an idea...

lj

From: ivyrosemom <mfulgham1@...>

Subject: new old member

Scoliosis Treatment

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008, 10:18 PM

Hi All,

I posted a few weeks ago as " new old member " and I wanted to let

you all know how things stand with me.First I would like to give you

all a big heartfelt thanks for all the responses and advice you gave

me. I really appreciated it and even made copies of some to keep in

my folder for later.

I saw Dr.Hanson and he has really grown up since I visited him 7

years ago. At that time my curve was 69o now it is 72o. Not much

change when he had predicted as much as 2-4 degrees a year. The main

thing for right now is that the pinched nerve in my neck would not be

addressed at all by what he would propose to do to fix my back. So

that means I will have to deal with that as a completely separate

issue, and then see whether I want to address the scoliosis. Unlike 7

years ago he was not recommending that I plan on the surgery- at

least for now.

He seemed impressed by my flexibility ( I can bend over and put my

hands flat on the floor) and my lack of need for serious pain meds

prior to the neck issue. Also he suggested that it would still be an

option for some time to come. He mentioned that he had done the

surgery on 5 women in their 80's and 3 of them were not happy- not

because there was anything wrong with the surgery- but they just had

way too much pain. So he said that was when he would want to say no.

I told DH that I am both relieved and disappointed. I was dreading

how to juggle the needs of a teenager who still needs to be driven

everwhere ( not to mention my work) but I had wondered what it

might be like not to look like quasimoto and be able to walk without

leaning and stand for long periods without hurting.

So that is where I am now and I appreciate being back on this

list. I am learning a lot and my issues are not going away. I know we

all wish we could wave a magic wand and make them do just that!

Thanks again for all your help.

Fulgham

Posted November 21, 2008 · November 21, 2008

I would get a second opinion. I just had major corrective scoliosis this last

Saturday. I am still sore but not as much a a few days ago. I look in the

mirror and look normal! Before I chose my DR, I interviewed at least 3-4. Just

a thought...Staci

From: ivyrosemom <mfulgham1peoplepc (DOT) com>