Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 I think you put it very well. We really can't know our outcomes until well after the fact. I do have the advantage of knowing one 79-year-old with flatback, my father. Now that I realize he has it (has been kyphotic ever since his Harrington rod surgery at age 46), I know that I do not want to be an elderly flatback patient whose health is not good enough to go through surgery. I think this is what has tipped the scale for me. Not everyone has a good outcome, but a competent surgeon will try to find out why and go back in and fix it, if that is feasible. Sharon [ ] Post revision >I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the risks. > What > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good relief > from > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given up > over the > years. > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Dear Pnuttro, Many of us here have varying degrees of pain relief from the surgery. I'm very lucky, I'm pain free post surgery, and have gotten back the function I had lost prior to surgery. It did take two revisions to get me that way. How well you come out of surgery, not always a homerun. We in the group have very different outcomes, most outcomes are an improvement in pain level and function. Some of us it took more than one revision. The best you can do is do your homework, select and excellent surgeon, get yourself ready physically and mentally for the rigors of a major surgery. Having a good attitude going in is key in my mind, see yourself well. I really believe that almost all of us that have gone through it are glad we did. It gave me my life back, or at least the ability to live a productive, painfree life. Colorado Springs [ ] Post revision >I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the risks. > What > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good relief > from > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given up > over the > years. > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 I can only think to say this, being 5 years post-revision and going into another revision in about 3 more weeks.....I had 22 " good " years following my first surgery for scoliosis. 22 years of which I thought I was 'fixed', and for which I definitely was NOT prepared to face more problems and more surgery. But face it I did in 2001, hoping to improve my quality of life. And here I am again, 5 years later, going through it all over again. I can only pray that this will be the last. But if it's not, then at least I'm better prepared - at least the doctors aren't telling me this time that I am all " fixed " . Just as they have come to realize that they can only doing their best to make life easier for me, so have I come to the acceptance that I will never again be " normal " , nor be able to do many of the things that I could once do without thinking twice about it. Why we were all chosen to be the ones to improve medicine's knowledge of the scoliotic spine we will never know or understand. But as we were, we can only do our best to accept and make our lives as useful and pain-free as we can. I'm 53 years old now, and this has most definitely made my " retirement years " something far different than I had EVER imagined. And by the way, the pain I was having before revision was totally removed. At least that's speaking a positive for revision surgery!! So we all do what we will to make the most out of what life has thrown to us, yes? Peace to all - ~CA ~ > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I think.) > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand the risks. What > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting good relief from > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have given up over the > years. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 --Dear Friends, WOW!! I have just spent half the afternoon catching up on the posts I have missed ..kinda like part of my life was taken away..or I missed it...I will say you folks were very busy and active....Revision was everything I had expected and more!!! Not easy. Now, I have a long road to getting accoustomed to this " new " body. Everything just feels so different, not bad different, just different. THe biggest change most folks back home see is " Oh, my how straight and tall you are!! " I have this natural tendency to want to " lean " over but the body will not go there.....I think in the end it is all good but still hurdles to jump over...certain pains that I attribute towards surgery pain, not the same pain before surgery....... For those of you going to RAND, I really feel so lucky, beyound belief, to have found this guy via this forum, and Cam. He has given me my life back..he is an amazing surgeon and a wonderful caring doctor. I know that all of you waiting in the wings for your date or the date to get here, you will do great!! He is so caring and all you have to do is ask if something is concerning you..call over to the office if you are in the hospital etc. FOr those of you who care..I lost not one pound while having the surgery..I blame that on the Baptist....x4555, room service, I still know the number,,,,I really loved the food.....The beauty to picking up the phone and ordering whenever you liked..is like being in a hotel...the food in my book was top shelf for a hospital..hope you think so,,,why Rand had me on BOOST is not understandable to me....I lost no weight...not that I needed too loose much but we always look for those 5 pounds.... A huge hug for from NH for visiting me !! THanks also, Cam, , and Vonnie for calling and checking in...it really meant alot....., PA - In , " Sharon Green " <sharon.green18@...> wrote: > > Hi, ! That's the name of my half-sister who also had scoliosis > surgery. So glad you told us, because I was internally remembering you as > Peanut. ;^) > > Sharon > > > [ ] Re: Post revision > > > >I think everyone here knows where I am coming from. I have had all > > these arguments in my head for the past 2 years. I put off this long > > because I didn't have confidence in my doctors after they said that I > > needed to extend my fusion, it made me VERY nervous. So I waited and > > I searched and now its time. I'm glad that I know more now. > > > > Sorry for the complications. It seems that you resolved the problem > > since you are still going home. I hope you have an uneventful trip. > > thanks. > > > > And since everyone is talking about names, mine is . > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > I want to address all those post revisionists. . . > >> > > > (that phrase always makes me think of art--a lovely irony I > >> think.) > >> > > > > >> > > > The surgery itself doesn't scare me that much. I understand > >> the > >> > > risks. What > >> > > > bothers me, is going through all of this and then not getting > >> good > >> > > relief from > >> > > > pain or not being able to get back to those things that I have > >> given > >> > > up over the > >> > > > years. > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 Hi everyone, Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. A child going through a divorce and my mother and father in-law passing away...the sandwich generatin... I am 18 mos. post off and doing well. I get nerve pain in my right leg once in awhile, but it does go away. Both legs from the knees down are still numb, but I'm use to it. My hardware bothers me when I do too much, which is often! Starting to strengthen my muscles for playing golf this spring...I have to take pain pills for that. Life is just different in how I do things like getting up off the floor and sex. Having to be more creative. I am soooo glad I did have the surgery tho, never expected things to be perfect and they aren't, just better than before. Love to all, Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 Terry, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your parents/in-laws. It must have been a difficult time for you while you were healing yourself. It's great to hear that you are doing well and returning to the " links " this summer. Wow...I just don't think I could ever golf. I tried it once or twice back when I was only fused to L4...and I felt way too stiff. I am sure you have learned a way around that. I saw pictures that Diane took playing in Scotland about a year after her surgery...so I know it's possible. What kind of exercises are your doing for your strenghening routine? (...and speaking of DianeT.....anyone heard from her? Diane are you there?) By the way, I love your line: " never expected things to be perfect and they aren't, just better than before " . So true! I hope we hear more from you, we missed you. Take Care, Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.