Re: Re: Urgent Questions and advice for those in the know...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Tricia, I am kinda relieve in one way cause now I think I know what is causing the pain down my left side of my leg. I just joined recently. I am also smack dab back into teaching a classroom of 31 third grade graders in NYC. I have been in the NYC school system for over 27 years. I have enough years to retire but not the age. Mayor Bloomberg and a really nasty Asst Principal at my school is doing everything to get the senior teachers to leave so hence I am back in a regular classroom on my own. I have been a reading specialist for the last 18 years small group. I went that route knowing I could handle that kind of job rather than the day in and day out of standing, walking, bending that is required of classroom teaching. Don't believe everything you read in the papers

I am excellent teacher an over achiever so you know I can't let those 31 kids downs. But in the meantime I know what this will do to my already hurting back. My husband doesn't seem to realize all the pain I in. He has no clue as to all the pain that is in store for me in teaching a classroom. I do plan to talk to the union etc..... but first I do have to give it a go from the simple fact that sadly the union will first say give it go to...... If I had turn around and told my principal in late August when he get me the notice of the assignment that I couldn't do it because I was having trouble with my back he wouldn't believe me either. Really all last year I was the caretaker to my older brother who was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It was a very difficult year for me. He had 80% of his stomach removed and was in a pallative hospice for

about 4 months. I guess miracles do happen. He is now home and is doing fine. But being the only care taker has taken a toll on me physically mentally and emotionally. So at work I don't think they would be too understanding if I said I wanted my old job back with I can do with my eyes closed and hands tied. It is sort pay back for not staying after school as often and the asst principal wanting to get rid of the senior teachers. I am not the only one.....but I am the only one with scoliosis.Again sorry I am venting I have no where else to vent....people just don't understand what we went through and still now have to face more.Who was your doctor and how many did you see before having the second surgery?EllenFrom: Tricia Keane <tgordon71906@...> Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 9:11 AMSubject: Re: Urgent Questions and advice for those in the know...Hi Ellen,I had my Harrington Rods removed back in 1992 due to it moving but mine was moving upward towards the skins surface. My curve has increased in degree since that time. I now have a 42 degree curve which is better than when i was first diagnosed at 81 degrees. All i can yell you is how the surgery was for me to remove the rod. It was a fairly easy procedure compared to original surgery but not as

easy as they first thought. Since that surgery i have had two cervical fusions in 2003 and 2005 and my revision surgery in january of this past year. Unfortunately i am once again facing surgery this fall since my hardware is once again coming to the surface of my skin. This time the hardware hurts when i touch it or lay on my back. It is a never ending challenge but it makes me feel better knowing i am not alone and there are so many kind people in this group with good info and uplifting words of wisdom. Please let me know how you do at your appointment.Tricia Sent from my iPad