New member

[Guest guest]

Vonnie, I wish to welcome you also. We have a very substantial New England

contingent here in Flatback Land!

So, Cam is Cameron! I didn't figure that one out. I thought she was

probably a Camille or something like that.

So, how about Kam? Is that short for something? (If you don't mind

divulging.)

Sharon

[ ] Re: NEW MEMBER

> Vonnie,

>

> Welcome. I suspect most won't catch that Cam told you about this group

> (we don't ever see her referred to as Cameron). She is great! You have

> found a lovely spot. At what levels are you fused presently and what

> does Dr. Rand plan to do? It is always interesting to read about

> others' stories and can be very helpful (there is likely more than one

> person that can relate to your story). I had my first fusion at age 10

> and second at age 13. I've never really known what it would be like not

> to have to deal with scoliosis or surgeries. But, for whatever reason,

> it's never bothered me much. What does bother me is the extreme pain I

> am having, which interferes with my daily activities. Fortunately, I am

> having revision surgery in December - will be fused from T4 to S1.

>

> You've got a few months to ask questions. Know we will do our best to

> help!

>

> kam

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

It's Kamala - like Pamela with a " K "

>

> Vonnie, I wish to welcome you also. We have a very substantial

New England

> contingent here in Flatback Land!

>

> So, Cam is Cameron! I didn't figure that one out. I thought she

was

> probably a Camille or something like that.

>

> So, how about Kam? Is that short for something? (If you don't

mind

> divulging.)

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: NEW MEMBER

>

>

> > Vonnie,

> >

> > Welcome. I suspect most won't catch that Cam told you about this

group

> > (we don't ever see her referred to as Cameron). She is great!

You have

> > found a lovely spot. At what levels are you fused presently and

what

> > does Dr. Rand plan to do? It is always interesting to read about

> > others' stories and can be very helpful (there is likely more

than one

> > person that can relate to your story). I had my first fusion at

age 10

> > and second at age 13. I've never really known what it would be

like not

> > to have to deal with scoliosis or surgeries. But, for whatever

reason,

> > it's never bothered me much. What does bother me is the extreme

pain I

> > am having, which interferes with my daily activities.

Fortunately, I am

> > having revision surgery in December - will be fused from T4 to

S1.

> >

> > You've got a few months to ask questions. Know we will do our

best to

> > help!

> >

> > kam

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

[Guest guest]

What nice, unusual names.

:^)

[ ] Re: NEW MEMBER

>>

>>

>> > Vonnie,

>> >

>> > Welcome. I suspect most won't catch that Cam told you about this

> group

>> > (we don't ever see her referred to as Cameron). She is great!

> You have

>> > found a lovely spot. At what levels are you fused presently and

> what

>> > does Dr. Rand plan to do? It is always interesting to read about

>> > others' stories and can be very helpful (there is likely more

> than one

>> > person that can relate to your story). I had my first fusion at

> age 10

>> > and second at age 13. I've never really known what it would be

> like not

>> > to have to deal with scoliosis or surgeries. But, for whatever

> reason,

>> > it's never bothered me much. What does bother me is the extreme

> pain I

>> > am having, which interferes with my daily activities.

> Fortunately, I am

>> > having revision surgery in December - will be fused from T4 to

> S1.

>> >

>> > You've got a few months to ask questions. Know we will do our

> best to

>> > help!

>> >

>> > kam

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

[Guest guest]

Ah, sleep- how elusive!

I use Valerian Root (an herbal prep, check with your doc before

trying it!), when that doesn't work I take Temazepan, a Rx that does

good for about 4 hours- more or less depending on my pain level.

I have DDD and other 'spondo..' thingies in my neck and lumbar

areas. None of it is deemed operable yet, so pain management is all

there is right now.

I use Lidoderm patches that give fairly good releif. I tried

flexoril and soma as muscle relaxers, but baclofen seems to work

much better- it is more specfic for spine troubles. I take

hydrocodonne (7.5 3x per day) for pain. Yeah, I still do PT, TENS,

traction and in-home ultrasound- it all keeps me bust through the

day.

My pain management doc was VERY clear about the goal in pain

management is finding a combination of things that help 'shave' some

of the pain, hopefully getting the pain down to a tolerable level.

Of course, that level is different for diferent folks!

>

>

> Just looking for some new ideas. I had fusion of L4 L5 S1 in Nov

of

> 2003 at Mayo in Minnesota. As a result of the surgery I have nerve

> with a pain specialist next week. What is working for other

> members?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth, and welcome.

I had C-5/6 fused. Also had a bone spur (horse shoe shaped ridge, all

the way around 3/4 of the vertebra) removed.

I am involved with a conference this weekend, but starting Monday,

will have some time. Ask away! Wish I had someone I could have asked,

before my surgery.

Shulamit

--- yellowbug6 <yellowbug6@...> wrote:

> Hi, My name is Beth and I have just joined this group. I am

> scheduled

> to have cervical fusion on Nov 10th. I was wondering if anyone

> else

> has had this done and if they would like to answer some questions

> for

> me.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I too say hello...I too had c 5-6 discectomy and fusion. I too can

tell you what I know and relay my experiences. If I can help let me

know.

Rich

> Hi Beth, and welcome.

>

> I had C-5/6 fused. Also had a bone spur (horse shoe shaped ridge,

all

> the way around 3/4 of the vertebra) removed.

>

> I am involved with a conference this weekend, but starting Monday,

> will have some time. Ask away! Wish I had someone I could have

asked,

> before my surgery.

>

> Shulamit

>

> --- yellowbug6 <yellowbug6@y...> wrote:

>

> > Hi, My name is Beth and I have just joined this group. I am

> > scheduled

> > to have cervical fusion on Nov 10th. I was wondering if anyone

> > else

> > has had this done and if they would like to answer some questions

> > for

> > me.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Rich, I would like to know about your experiences.

On Nov 3, 2005, at 5:34 PM, raaron69 wrote:

> I too say hello...I too had c 5-6 discectomy and fusion. I too can

> tell you what I know and relay my experiences. If I can help let me

> know.

> Rich

>

>

>

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Shulamit! I appreciate all the great people on this list. How long

after your surgery were yoiu able to get up and go places and do things?

Shulamit <shulamitw@...> wrote: Hi Beth, and welcome.

I had C-5/6 fused. Also had a bone spur (horse shoe shaped ridge, all

the way around 3/4 of the vertebra) removed.

I am involved with a conference this weekend, but starting Monday,

will have some time. Ask away! Wish I had someone I could have asked,

before my surgery.

Shulamit

--- >

>

>

>

>

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Rich! Everyone here has been so friendly!

raaron69 <no_reply > wrote: I too say hello...I too had c 5-6

discectomy and fusion. I too can

tell you what I know and relay my experiences. If I can help let me

know.

Rich

> Hi Beth, and welcome.

>

> I had C-5/6 fused. Also had a bone spur (horse shoe shaped ridge,

all

> the way around 3/4 of the vertebra) removed.

>

> I am involved with a conference this weekend, but starting Monday,

> will have some time. Ask away! Wish I had someone I could have

asked,

> before my surgery.

>

> Shulamit

>

> --- yellowbug6 <yellowbug6@y...> wrote:

>

> > Hi, My name is Beth and I have just joined this group. I am

> > scheduled

> > to have cervical fusion on Nov 10th. I was wondering if anyone

> > else

> > has had this done and if they would like to answer some questions

> > for

> > me.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Diets like this with children at school are nearly impossible - I

don't know whether your daughter has started school yet but it can

get tough.

My son has sugar cravings too, and I do keep my children on low carb

diets (even the healthy one) but it doesn't necessarily need to be

as strict as ours unless the child displays real candida/hypoglcemia

symptoms (does she have any?)

If she isn't sick but just has a sweet tooth try lower glycemic

foods for snacks and mix with protein. My children loved diced

cheese and apple in a bowel and regularly eat nuts, oranges,

strawberries, raw carrot, pepper etc. Avoid bananas and dried fruit

since these are very high but I find the occasional banana smoothie

for a treat is as good as a pudding, especially if they are allowed

to make it themselves.

Noodles are excellent, even for a snack and my children get really

excited over these. Fresh wholemeal bread (lower GI)is much nicer if

you have a breadmaker and they love the smell of it cooking. Failing

the use of bread oatcakes are good snacks but buy Nairns if you can,

the others taste like dry cardboard. Loads of butter (or spread) for

fat allowance and a slice of cheese.

Try a bag of mini cheeses in fancy packaging with carrot sticks. I

know you are considering taking her off dairy so of course these may

be out of the question. Slices of ham go down well also.

It may not be necessary to avoid dairy, however - try the low GI

diet first (allowing some fruit) and see how she gets on. My son has

been very sick with sugar problems in the past and this diet really

improved him.

It is unlikely your daughter has a candida infection / weakened

immune system as bad as yours and it may just be an inherited sweet

tooth (my family has this intolerance of refined carbs). Provided

foods are slow digesting she should be OK, just educate her that

she will need to always be careful with food - my son is very good

in this respect now.

candidiasis , " truth8happiness1999 "

<truth8happiness@s...> wrote:

>

> Dear Group,

>

> I've had problems with sugar addiction especially since the birth

of

> my daughter four years ago. It seems that as I get older, the

> cravings have gotten stronger and I've found myself using candy,

etc.

> just like a drug! It's embarrassing and so frustrating to find

> yourself out of control like that. Primarily I'm " using " to

correct

> or control my mood, which is frequently depressed and irritable. I

> find that if I have a Diet Coke or sweet, I feel happy for a bit,

> then get really grouchy.

>

> I'm fairly desperate to get out of this cycle, so I've been

> consulting a doctor who practices traditional medicine, but in

> an " alternative " way. She has prescribed many supplements,

including

> Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, injectable B vitamins, fish oil, CoQ10,

> probiotics and Nystatin, to help me beat this addiction. Since I

was

> still having problems just stopping eating sugar, she put me on a

> daily regimen of Diflucan. I understand it's hard on the liver, so

> I'll have to have my liver levels tested every 3 weeks. I'm also

on a

> gluten-free, dairy-free regimen.

>

> My ailments over the years have not been too severe, but when I

sum

> them up, I can see that there might be a candida connection: some

> yeast infections (mine tend not to hurt, so I'm not always aware

of

> them), dry skin, rectal itching, (recently) knee pain, sore &

> sensitive gums, cystitis, hypersensitivity to noise, difficulty

> concentrating, depression. Fortunately, I've managed to maintain a

> low weight, so that isn't an issue.

>

> I'm writing because I just need to hook into a support system that

> can help me in this daily struggle. None of my friends understand

> this, and my mother is a hopeless sugar addict--can't go for more

> than 2-3 hours without it! I know it's going to be hard,

especially

> cooking for a husband and 4-year-old, so any advice or help you

can

> give would be appreciated.

>

> In particular, how have you moms handled cooking for the whole

family

> while following this diet? While my little one doesn't eat sugar

at

> all, she is constantly asking me for bread, crackers, fruit, etc.--

> anything high-carb. I'm putting her on the dairy-free diet, too,

and

> I'm having trouble coming up with good " snacky " foods for her.

>

> Thanks so much!

> Therese

>

[Guest guest]

Therese,

I would highly recommend the book The Body Ecology Diet. The main focus of

the book is to have a healthy inner eco-system. This is achieved through diet

changes and the addition of cultured foods. Cultured vegetables, coconut water

and coconut pudding really help decrease sugar cravings. I can now be around

lots of sweets and not crave them. I've been on this diet for about two weeks

and can really feel the difference. I feel healthier with more energy. I have

been battling candida overgrowth symptoms for quite a while and finally decided

I can no longer ignore them.

The website for info. is www.bodyecologydiet.com. I am now making my own

cultured foods at home and it's well worth the effort.

Hope this helps.

Deborah

[Guest guest]

Therese

Diet sodas and sugar free candies are enough to send your body for a loop.

Try googling " the truth about aspartamine " and you'll see what I mean.

I found a protein breakfast helps a lot with cravings later in the day.

Apparently protien helps balance the blood sugar.

Free range eggs and cheese will do the trick. Things like sausages and

baked beans have often have lots of glucose and/or sugar which will get

you on your roller coaster. And keep sipping water.

Willem

truth8happiness1999 wrote:

>Dear Group,

>

>I've had problems with sugar addiction especially since the birth of

>my daughter four years ago. It seems that as I get older, the

>cravings have gotten stronger and I've found myself using candy, etc.

>just like a drug! It's embarrassing and so frustrating to find

>yourself out of control like that. Primarily I'm " using " to correct

>or control my mood, which is frequently depressed and irritable. I

>find that if I have a Diet Coke or sweet, I feel happy for a bit,

>then get really grouchy.

>

>I'm fairly desperate to get out of this cycle, so I've been

>consulting a doctor who practices traditional medicine, but in

>an " alternative " way. She has prescribed many supplements, including

>Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, injectable B vitamins, fish oil, CoQ10,

>probiotics and Nystatin, to help me beat this addiction. Since I was

>still having problems just stopping eating sugar, she put me on a

>daily regimen of Diflucan. I understand it's hard on the liver, so

>I'll have to have my liver levels tested every 3 weeks. I'm also on a

>gluten-free, dairy-free regimen.

>

>My ailments over the years have not been too severe, but when I sum

>them up, I can see that there might be a candida connection: some

>yeast infections (mine tend not to hurt, so I'm not always aware of

>them), dry skin, rectal itching, (recently) knee pain, sore &

>sensitive gums, cystitis, hypersensitivity to noise, difficulty

>concentrating, depression. Fortunately, I've managed to maintain a

>low weight, so that isn't an issue.

>

>I'm writing because I just need to hook into a support system that

>can help me in this daily struggle. None of my friends understand

>this, and my mother is a hopeless sugar addict--can't go for more

>than 2-3 hours without it! I know it's going to be hard, especially

>cooking for a husband and 4-year-old, so any advice or help you can

>give would be appreciated.

>

>In particular, how have you moms handled cooking for the whole family

>while following this diet? While my little one doesn't eat sugar at

>all, she is constantly asking me for bread, crackers, fruit, etc.--

>anything high-carb. I'm putting her on the dairy-free diet, too, and

>I'm having trouble coming up with good " snacky " foods for her.

>

>Thanks so much!

>Therese

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Why don't you try a natural sweetener, which is 300 times sweeter than

sugar. It is called Stevia. It might help control your craving for all the

other types of sugars. For Stevia have been used as a sweetener for hundreds

of years with no known side affects, except it cuts into the profit of the

un-natural sweeteners.

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi ~ I've joined this group in hopes of determining if I have candida;

> learn from others, and learn what to eat! I have other issues (IBS,

> reflux, high cholesterol, and more) and am a loss as to what to eat

> anymore! I look forward to reading everyone's posts ... thanks so

much!> waygie

==>Hi waygie - welcome to our group! As a first step please read the

main article " How to Successfully Overcome Candida " and then you will

understand what we are discussing and why, and also about healthy

nutrients your body requires in order for it to heal naturally. IBS

and reflux are very common when you have candida. You can take the

Questionnaire contained in the article to make sure. Cholesterol is a

non-issue when it comes to health - it is a total scam, which you will

find out about when you read the article.

Do keep in touch and ask any questions you might have after reading.

The best in health,

Bee

[Guest guest]

CA and all,

What a neat story!! I've been thinking about you today and wondering what happened to you since you washed your hair Sunday night, and now, this nice, long newsy post. Hopefully this means meds have your pain under control and so on.

Ken, I haven't been able to view your scolio tree yet; I'm not too swift with this computer stuff but as soon as my husband get's home he'll know how to do it.

Just now the Boston dinner is going on and I've been thinking about what a super time I'm sure they're having. Hoping we can do something here before I have my surgery, which I think should be early to mid June. Ken mentioned Corona - do you think, , that that would be feasible for you or is it too soon to tell?

A bigger get together would be terrific but so much more difficult to arrange. So maybe just a little one first.

Jane in San Diego

>> Hey all - Let's give a big scoli welcome to a new member who joined > today! You will see her on here as grammiekins (could that be > because she has 3 beautiful grandchildren and one on the way?)but her > name is . We have a very unusual background together in that > we were good friends from about 7th grade on. We both had Idiopathic > Scoliosis but didn't know it really. While I advertised mine with > the wearing of the Milwaukee Brace back then, her parents chose to go > the denial route at first. Anyhow, to make a long story short, we > both married and had sons practically at the same time. We were also > seeing the same scoliosis doctors. When our boys were 2 years old we > both gave up the ship and had our original surgeries scheduled at the > same hospital as close together as we could (about 2 weeks apart). > Our favorite memory is we had surgery sometime in September. Come > halloween we dressed our boys alike as ghosts and we figured us both > being in Milwaukee braces was good enough costumes for us, and we've > never forgotten walking the streets holding each other up while our > sone trick-or-treated. We've still got pictures after all these > years.> Anyhow life went on and we fell out of touch over the years. Then > came our 30 year high school reunion back in 2000. I was preparing > for my first revision surgery, and I found that you didn't even > mention the word 'surgery' around her. She was terrified at the > thought of more back surgery (even though she so obviously needed it.)> Over the ensuing years I kept at her until she began calling me her > cheerleader. When she and her husband came to visit me at UCSF this > last time she even brought me a small pair of pom poms as a gift! > And lo and behold, they were both so very impressed with actually > seeing my progress 3 days after surgery........that she actually set > the ball in motion with her insurance! And joined our little group > here to learn what she could learn. She may be more of a lurker at > first, but , you won't meet a more knowledgeable, caring group > than this who will be here for you basically 24/7 to answer what > questions they can and give you the support you need as you begin > your long, treacherous journey down this incredibley long and bumpy > road. Welcome aboard Girlfriend!!> Much love -> ~~>

[Guest guest]

Jane, I sure hope the Boston dinner isn't going on now! I'm planning to be there tomorrow.

:^)

[ ] Re: New Member

CA and all,

What a neat story!! I've been thinking about you today and wondering what happened to you since you washed your hair Sunday night, and now, this nice, long newsy post. Hopefully this means meds have your pain under control and so on.

Ken, I haven't been able to view your scolio tree yet; I'm not too swift with this computer stuff but as soon as my husband get's home he'll know how to do it.

Just now the Boston dinner is going on and I've been thinking about what a super time I'm sure they're having. Hoping we can do something here before I have my surgery, which I think should be early to mid June. Ken mentioned Corona - do you think, , that that would be feasible for you or is it too soon to tell?

A bigger get together would be terrific but so much more difficult to arrange. So maybe just a little one first.

Jane in San Diego

>> Hey all - Let's give a big scoli welcome to a new member who joined > today! You will see her on here as grammiekins (could that be > because she has 3 beautiful grandchildren and one on the way?)but her > name is . We have a very unusual background together in that > we were good friends from about 7th grade on. We both had Idiopathic > Scoliosis but didn't know it really. While I advertised mine with > the wearing of the Milwaukee Brace back then, her parents chose to go > the denial route at first. Anyhow, to make a long story short, we > both married and had sons practically at the same time. We were also > seeing the same scoliosis doctors. When our boys were 2 years old we > both gave up the ship and had our original surgeries scheduled at the > same hospital as close together as we could (about 2 weeks apart). > Our favorite memory is we had surgery sometime in September. Come > halloween we dressed our boys alike as ghosts and we figured us both > being in Milwaukee braces was good enough costumes for us, and we've > never forgotten walking the streets holding each other up while our > sone trick-or-treated. We've still got pictures after all these > years.> Anyhow life went on and we fell out of touch over the years. Then > came our 30 year high school reunion back in 2000. I was preparing > for my first revision surgery, and I found that you didn't even > mention the word 'surgery' around her. She was terrified at the > thought of more back surgery (even though she so obviously needed it.)> Over the ensuing years I kept at her until she began calling me her > cheerleader. When she and her husband came to visit me at UCSF this > last time she even brought me a small pair of pom poms as a gift! > And lo and behold, they were both so very impressed with actually > seeing my progress 3 days after surgery........that she actually set > the ball in motion with her insurance! And joined our little group > here to learn what she could learn. She may be more of a lurker at > first, but , you won't meet a more knowledgeable, caring group > than this who will be here for you basically 24/7 to answer what > questions they can and give you the support you need as you begin > your long, treacherous journey down this incredibley long and bumpy > road. Welcome aboard Girlfriend!!> Much love -> ~~>

[Guest guest]

, that's a great story! And it's awesome that you're up to writing it

so soon after your surgery!

, welcome to the group. That's great that you two have had each

other for support. Even though I have an older half-sister who underwent

her scoli fusion before me, she lived in a different state, so my experience

was more isolating.

(, I believe you tried to stimulate discussion a few weeks back with a

question about people who paved the way for us, and I meant to reply but got

too busy. So here you go.)

Sharon in NH

[ ] New Member

> Hey all - Let's give a big scoli welcome to a new member who joined

> today! You will see her on here as grammiekins (could that be

> because she has 3 beautiful grandchildren and one on the way?)but her

> name is . We have a very unusual background together in that

> we were good friends from about 7th grade on. We both had Idiopathic

> Scoliosis but didn't know it really. While I advertised mine with

> the wearing of the Milwaukee Brace back then, her parents chose to go

> the denial route at first. Anyhow, to make a long story short, we

> both married and had sons practically at the same time. We were also

> seeing the same scoliosis doctors. When our boys were 2 years old we

> both gave up the ship and had our original surgeries scheduled at the

> same hospital as close together as we could (about 2 weeks apart).

> Our favorite memory is we had surgery sometime in September. Come

> halloween we dressed our boys alike as ghosts and we figured us both

> being in Milwaukee braces was good enough costumes for us, and we've

> never forgotten walking the streets holding each other up while our

> sone trick-or-treated. We've still got pictures after all these

> years.

> Anyhow life went on and we fell out of touch over the years. Then

> came our 30 year high school reunion back in 2000. I was preparing

> for my first revision surgery, and I found that you didn't even

> mention the word 'surgery' around her. She was terrified at the

> thought of more back surgery (even though she so obviously needed it.)

> Over the ensuing years I kept at her until she began calling me her

> cheerleader. When she and her husband came to visit me at UCSF this

> last time she even brought me a small pair of pom poms as a gift!

> And lo and behold, they were both so very impressed with actually

> seeing my progress 3 days after surgery........that she actually set

> the ball in motion with her insurance! And joined our little group

> here to learn what she could learn. She may be more of a lurker at

> first, but , you won't meet a more knowledgeable, caring group

> than this who will be here for you basically 24/7 to answer what

> questions they can and give you the support you need as you begin

> your long, treacherous journey down this incredibley long and bumpy

> road. Welcome aboard Girlfriend!!

> Much love -

> ~~

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Don't mind me, I seem to have a few screws loose lately. My husband and I are both down with the flu,a t least that's my excuse. Have a great time tomorow!!

Jane

> >> > Hey all - Let's give a big scoli welcome to a new member who joined > > today! You will see her on here as grammiekins (could that be > > because she has 3 beautiful grandchildren and one on the way?)but her > > name is . We have a very unusual background together in that > > we were good friends from about 7th grade on. We both had Idiopathic > > Scoliosis but didn't know it really. While I advertised mine with > > the wearing of the Milwaukee Brace back then, her parents chose to go > > the denial route at first. Anyhow, to make a long story short, we > > both married and had sons practically at the same time. We were also > > seeing the same scoliosis doctors. When our boys were 2 years old we > > both gave up the ship and had our original surgeries scheduled at the > > same hospital as close together as we could (about 2 weeks apart). > > Our favorite memory is we had surgery sometime in September. Come > > halloween we dressed our boys alike as ghosts and we figured us both > > being in Milwaukee braces was good enough costumes for us, and we've > > never forgotten walking the streets holding each other up while our > > sone trick-or-treated. We've still got pictures after all these > > years.> > Anyhow life went on and we fell out of touch over the years. Then > > came our 30 year high school reunion back in 2000. I was preparing > > for my first revision surgery, and I found that you didn't even > > mention the word 'surgery' around her. She was terrified at the > > thought of more back surgery (even though she so obviously needed it.)> > Over the ensuing years I kept at her until she began calling me her > > cheerleader. When she and her husband came to visit me at UCSF this > > last time she even brought me a small pair of pom poms as a gift! > > And lo and behold, they were both so very impressed with actually > > seeing my progress 3 days after surgery........that she actually set > > the ball in motion with her insurance! And joined our little group > > here to learn what she could learn. She may be more of a lurker at > > first, but , you won't meet a more knowledgeable, caring group > > than this who will be here for you basically 24/7 to answer what > > questions they can and give you the support you need as you begin > > your long, treacherous journey down this incredibley long and bumpy > > road. Welcome aboard Girlfriend!!> > Much love -> > ~~> >> > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > >

[Guest guest]

Welcome to /Grammikins....glad to make your aquaintence! Any

friend of 's is a friend of mine. That is amazing that you have

had each other through this whole long ordeal of big surgeries

throughout your lives....not to mention the sisterhood that comes from

starting your lives as parents together...you must be quite bonded!

, I hope you will tall us a little more about yourself when

you feel ready. We are all in pretty much the same boat, and much as

we wish you didn't have to come on this particular trip...at least we

can all row together!

...you sound fantastic for this early out of surgery...keep on

keepin' on girl! Cam

[Guest guest]

Really? I just blame the pain meds, lol.

Thanks! I aim to.

:^)

Sharon

[ ] Re: New Member

Sharon,

Don't mind me, I seem to have a few screws loose lately. My husband and I are both down with the flu,a t least that's my excuse. Have a great time tomorow!!

Jane

> >> > Hey all - Let's give a big scoli welcome to a new member who joined > > today! You will see her on here as grammiekins (could that be > > because she has 3 beautiful grandchildren and one on the way?)but her > > name is . We have a very unusual background together in that > > we were good friends from about 7th grade on. We both had Idiopathic > > Scoliosis but didn't know it really. While I advertised mine with > > the wearing of the Milwaukee Brace back then, her parents chose to go > > the denial route at first. Anyhow, to make a long story short, we > > both married and had sons practically at the same time. We were also > > seeing the same scoliosis doctors. When our boys were 2 years old we > > both gave up the ship and had our original surgeries scheduled at the > > same hospital as close together as we could (about 2 weeks apart). > > Our favorite memory is we had surgery sometime in September. Come > > halloween we dressed our boys alike as ghosts and we figured us both > > being in Milwaukee braces was good enough costumes for us, and we've > > never forgotten walking the streets holding each other up while our > > sone trick-or-treated. We've still got pictures after all these > > years.> > Anyhow life went on and we fell out of touch over the years. Then > > came our 30 year high school reunion back in 2000. I was preparing > > for my first revision surgery, and I found that you didn't even > > mention the word 'surgery' around her. She was terrified at the > > thought of more back surgery (even though she so obviously needed it.)> > Over the ensuing years I kept at her until she began calling me her > > cheerleader. When she and her husband came to visit me at UCSF this > > last time she even brought me a small pair of pom poms as a gift! > > And lo and behold, they were both so very impressed with actually > > seeing my progress 3 days after surgery........that she actually set > > the ball in motion with her insurance! And joined our little group > > here to learn what she could learn. She may be more of a lurker at > > first, but , you won't meet a more knowledgeable, caring group > > than this who will be here for you basically 24/7 to answer what > > questions they can and give you the support you need as you begin > > your long, treacherous journey down this incredibley long and bumpy > > road. Welcome aboard Girlfriend!!> > Much love -> > ~~> >> > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We are all here to help each other. We're all pretty much in the same boat. And no question is silly.

CA, you sound great! Good for you.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: New Member

Welcome to /Grammikins....glad to make your aquaintence! Any friend of 's is a friend of mine. That is amazing that you have had each other through this whole long ordeal of big surgeries throughout your lives....not to mention the sisterhood that comes from starting your lives as parents together...you must be quite bonded! , I hope you will tall us a little more about yourself when you feel ready. We are all in pretty much the same boat, and much as we wish you didn't have to come on this particular trip...at least we can all row together!...you sound fantastic for this early out of surgery...keep on keepin' on girl! Cam

[Guest guest]

Welcome ! What a privilege to have a close friend like !

~kam

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello Everyone-

> I am very exicited to be a part of this group. My work and my life

> revolves around Candida recovery. If I can be personally contacted

by Bee, I would appreciate it. Have a lovely day everyone!

==>Hi there. Welcome to our group. Is your name ? I'm

sending you a personal email right away.

Take good care, Bee

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I have been on Synthroid for 9 years. Needless to say I am not well and

have all the symtoms plus huge weight gain..30+ pounds. I would like the

website of Dr. Dane and info on the dried freeze thryroid tissues of

cows.....holistic help. I have tried to get two doctors to switch me from

synthroid to

anything else but they have flatly refused to do it. My system doesn't seem to

break down the synthetic synthroid and after reading all of the

correspondence....I am right in there with you. They have said everything and

including...it's your age and you have to not eat so much. I could starve and

not drop

a pound.

Thank you.

Marcia

[Guest guest]

I hear ya......google Dr. Dane, she's in NY and I am sure her website will pop

up. I do not have her info on me. Good luck. P.S., I don't eat meat, dairy,

sugar or bread. I work out 2 x a day, I know what ya mean.

nhrmarcia@... wrote: Hi Everyone,

I have been on Synthroid for 9 years. Needless to say I am not well and

have all the symtoms plus huge weight gain..30+ pounds. I would like the

website of Dr. Dane and info on the dried freeze thryroid tissues of

cows.....holistic help. I have tried to get two doctors to switch me from

synthroid to

anything else but they have flatly refused to do it. My system doesn't seem to

break down the synthetic synthroid and after reading all of the

correspondence....I am right in there with you. They have said everything and

including...it's your age and you have to not eat so much. I could starve and

not drop

a pound.

Thank you.

Marcia