Okay so I'm officially scheduled for surgery on October 3rd! Never thought I would actually feel relieved to know that it was happening so soon but at this point I am SO ready. I've been having a lot of pain lately, something I haven't had in years--literally have a constant burning sensation in the muscles around my curves it is VERY irritating :/ With only two months to go until I'm immobile for at least six weeks, I'm trying to have all the fun I can possibly have right now! Gotta get it all out of my system so I don't go too crazy...I mean give me a break I am a college kid after all, I can't be expected to take this downtime lightly ;P
So I'm currently making a list of things I'll probably need to be comfortable after the surgery: movies, books, button front shirts, comfy pj's, front closure bras, and of course I NEED to find a way to hook my netflix up to my tv! I already have a lot of pillows so I think I'm fine there but of course I'll have my phone on speed dial to everyone who can bring me things!
I'm not sure how long I should expect to be on bedrest, so to speak. I'd like to think that I'll be ABLE to get around within just a couple weeks, although still battling the tiredness and probably some discomfort. I'm very glad it's scheduled for October though, as I should be mostly myself by Christmas and deffinitely ready to get back to school for the spring.
I'll keep you all posted on how this goes! Check back soon :D
“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong.”
~Sarah Dessen
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Major Decision
So here's the news (finally):
I had my x-ray and appointment on Thursday and, while the results weren't shocking to me, the outcome of the day was VERY different than any other time I have ever been to my doctor. I found out that my top cervical curve stayed at 33, my thoracic went from 65 to 71, and my lumbar went from 51 to 49...all since about 18 months ago. While that is not even bad compared to my progression while I was still growing, it just reinforced the fact that these curves are just not going anywhere but out the side of my body! The weirdest thing about the day though, was that for the first time I wasn't scared of the talk of surgery. I have come to terms with my scoliosis, especially this past year, and not only seeing but FEELING that it is steadily progressing was enough to make me realize that the time has come for me to have the surgery. Wow, it's weird to even see myself writing that after all this time! For all of you who have battled with this or are currently deciding what to do, you will understand that this decision comes once you feel that it is finally the right time. I am a huge believer in signs and not gonna lie, most of them are pointing towards the surgery for the first time ever...but maybe I'm just silly like that! Seriously though, I did see a beautiful girl struttin down the street in workout pants and a sports bra with a perfect little scar down the center of her back RIGHT after I left the doctor...just sayin :P
So, tomorrow is the day that I call and schedule the surgery date! I've been through this once before, only last time I backed out because it didn't feel right. This time though, I am anxiously awaiting the phone call just so I can know when it's happening. I'm ready to get this taken care of and move on with my life. My doctor told me that the post-op appointments are a few times during the first year, then yearly for three years, at which point I will only need to go back if there was a problem--I practically jumped for joy at the thought, I can't even imagine what that day will feel like! :D
So that's the update for now. I will absolutely be posting all about the surgery as I go through it, as well as telling you all a little more about the other things I've tried incase there are any of you pre-surgery sco's just like me trying other options. Just because I'm having the surgery now doesn't mean I don't believe in those other ways or that they might not work for someone else so I'll do my best to let you know ALL about them!
"Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences, our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them."
~Judith Henderson
I had my x-ray and appointment on Thursday and, while the results weren't shocking to me, the outcome of the day was VERY different than any other time I have ever been to my doctor. I found out that my top cervical curve stayed at 33, my thoracic went from 65 to 71, and my lumbar went from 51 to 49...all since about 18 months ago. While that is not even bad compared to my progression while I was still growing, it just reinforced the fact that these curves are just not going anywhere but out the side of my body! The weirdest thing about the day though, was that for the first time I wasn't scared of the talk of surgery. I have come to terms with my scoliosis, especially this past year, and not only seeing but FEELING that it is steadily progressing was enough to make me realize that the time has come for me to have the surgery. Wow, it's weird to even see myself writing that after all this time! For all of you who have battled with this or are currently deciding what to do, you will understand that this decision comes once you feel that it is finally the right time. I am a huge believer in signs and not gonna lie, most of them are pointing towards the surgery for the first time ever...but maybe I'm just silly like that! Seriously though, I did see a beautiful girl struttin down the street in workout pants and a sports bra with a perfect little scar down the center of her back RIGHT after I left the doctor...just sayin :P
So, tomorrow is the day that I call and schedule the surgery date! I've been through this once before, only last time I backed out because it didn't feel right. This time though, I am anxiously awaiting the phone call just so I can know when it's happening. I'm ready to get this taken care of and move on with my life. My doctor told me that the post-op appointments are a few times during the first year, then yearly for three years, at which point I will only need to go back if there was a problem--I practically jumped for joy at the thought, I can't even imagine what that day will feel like! :D
So that's the update for now. I will absolutely be posting all about the surgery as I go through it, as well as telling you all a little more about the other things I've tried incase there are any of you pre-surgery sco's just like me trying other options. Just because I'm having the surgery now doesn't mean I don't believe in those other ways or that they might not work for someone else so I'll do my best to let you know ALL about them!
"Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences, our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them."
~Judith Henderson
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Waiting Game
Okay, so as I mentioned before, tomorrow I have my first x-ray in almost two years! Now, usually, I don't get too wound up about the appointment since I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that there's nothing I can do about what they tell me. I'm a HUGE believer in signs, especially when it comes to my back, so I typically lead with the thought that whatever is next for me, even if it's surgery, I will do it because the time is right, not because it's what I'm told to do. I have spent the past 5 years avoiding surgery against all of my doctors wishes. The time was not right for me--I was not ready to give in without trying other things. I've been living like this for a long time but this time, this time feels different. I can't remember the last time I was this anxious and scared for a check-up. I'm not sure if any of you have ever felt your back get worse, ever woken up one morning and been aware of your curves a little more than usual. Well, that is how I've been feeling a lot lately. I get up in the morning sometimes and feel as if I can't fully stand up straight, and if you know what this feels like, you know just how terrifying it can be. I try to attribute it to something, too long of a car ride, too long of a shift at work, or too much walking, but the truth is, my back has a mind of it's own, and it's finally catching up to the mind I have that thinks I'm invincible.
So, I'm going in to tomorrow's appointment with my typical optimistic attitude, but I have the thought in the back of my mind that now might be the time that I have to start confronting the idea of surgery. I don't regret waiting--I'm stronger than ever, mentally and physically, I'm done growing, and I've tried so many things that I know I will not look back and wish I had done something else. Any one else struggle with this decision? It often seems as if anyone with scoliosis just gets the surgery and never thinks twice. But then again, I'm the one that says we're all different right?? :P
Wish me luck! I'll be sure to update you guys soon!
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit
So, I'm going in to tomorrow's appointment with my typical optimistic attitude, but I have the thought in the back of my mind that now might be the time that I have to start confronting the idea of surgery. I don't regret waiting--I'm stronger than ever, mentally and physically, I'm done growing, and I've tried so many things that I know I will not look back and wish I had done something else. Any one else struggle with this decision? It often seems as if anyone with scoliosis just gets the surgery and never thinks twice. But then again, I'm the one that says we're all different right?? :P
Wish me luck! I'll be sure to update you guys soon!
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit
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