Re: Robin Vita - New Year, New Body - Post Revision Surgery Photos

[Guest guest]

Wooohooo Robin you look great. What a difference. You are so straight. Soon

you will be able to lower and eventually come off narcotic pain meds and that

will give you more strenghth too. Who knows..the fibro may lessen too.. I have

high hopes for you.. Keep up the good work.

>

> For all who have been patiently waiting to see the post revision photos, we

have finally got them posted. Also included are my incision photos, because I

was very surprised to learn that my new incision was nearly 12 inches long! Dr

Rand cut along my old incision from 33 years ago. He started 4 inches down and

literally stopped at the crack of my ass! I know he said he would attach the

hardware to the fusion above, but I had no idea that it would be so extensive.

>

> I am amazed at the pre revision photos. I don't remember being that crooked.

I think I was, to some extent in denial. I wasn't that " bent " all of the time

and it was hard to ascertain whether my pain, immobility, and posture were from

the scoliosis/flatback/orthopedic disorders or from the fibromyalgia syndrome.

>

> can't get over how tall I am now. He feels I have gained 4 inches. He

usually kissed me on the forehead on his way to and fro. Now everything is

different as my body heals from the huge undertaking on January 18th, 2010.

>

> Thank you all for your prayers, help and support. I am still very slow moving

and using a walker. I'm also still having trouble with lower extremity edema.

Also, the base of the incision is very sensitive and giving me grief.

Apparently Dr Rand had a hard tine securing the hardware to my left posterior

hip due to my prior surgery during which much bone was shaved off/removed to use

for fusing my spine from T-5 to L-4. All of the nerve endings on both posterior

hips and buttocks are extremely sensitive and are constantly reminding me thst

something has been done.

>

> I guess I am about 4 weeks out now and my follow up appointment is March 18th

at 3pm with 3 ft spinal films scheduled at 2pm. I am hoping that the surgery

will begin to decrease the pain in my lower back and hips. I am hoping it will

improve my quality of life. I have become more disabled as I age with the

scoliosis which I have been dealing with since I was 13 and the fibromyalgia.

Hopefully, this revision will prevent further immobility for awhile and give me

a few better years with my husband rather than my just staying behind, alone due

to the my inability to function with or tolerate the pain.

>

> As soon as I can get my records/results or films/x-rays, I will share them.

So far, I'm doing pretty well considering. I have the VNA/RN,PT and HA coming

in. They followed me home after rehab. I don't know how much longer they'll

stay, but I appreciate any assistance. I know I need to try to walk more, I

have just become so weak.

>