http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBIf4AQj5s0&feature=related
This was a decision that did NOT come easily. I took a few extra weeks to think about it because I didn't want to rush into anything lightly. I made an extra doctor appointment just to talk it over again. I did a TON of research on my own. Then we made it a matter of prayer.
The bottom line is: scoliosis can not be corrected any other way. No matter what other methods I try (pain relief or physical therapy) they really just attempt to mask the symptoms and delay the inevitable. Plus I tried them over the past few months and they did not work anyway!!! I have been assured my curve WILL continue to worsen as I age and WILL bother me more and more. Some people's spines become so bad that it limits their ability to breathe and other internal organs to function properly. Sometimes nerves get pinched and damaged beyond repair. Of course I did not want to let it get to this point, especially with my diabetes limiting my ability to heal. It was important to me to fix this NOW so that I can be as young and healthy as possible for healing.
I know on the outside my curve is not very noticeable. Well, clothes are a wonderful thing :) In case you wonder -- just as I have -- if I'm making too big of a deal of it, here is a picture of what my back REALLY looks like. (And please be nice. It's not like this is easy to show you, me and my awesomely toned supermodel body and all.)
STANDING
You can't see the spinal column or any curve so much, but note the following:
Shoulders are even, hips are not.
Pretend you were to draw a line down each "side" of my torso
Line on the left goes straight up and down
Line on the right is all sorts of wacko
My left arm is not touching my body, but the right one is.
This is how standing "normal" is for me. And no, I can't just "stand up straight" and fix it.
BENDING OVER
You can see the curve a little more now that the bones are poking out
But once again, left side vs. right side (now that's just GROSS.)
It even looks like my shorts are on crooked.
BENDING OVER FARTHER
This is where you see that one side of my back is higher than the other.
I have a lump! Lovely.
When I had my husband take these pictures the other day, it was a view even I had never seen of myself before. I was a little shocked. Having said that, I realize that I am not the worst case on record. Far from it. But when you consider my pain levels and the way that affects my quality of life right now, we need to look beyond just the severity of the curve. It's not about looks. I want to be able to stand up and walk for more than 10 minutes! I need to. That is not a ridiculous request for a woman in her 30's with a family to take care of.
So there you have it, the big dilemma and how I came to this conclusion. Now it's only a month away and I have LOTS of preparation to do!!!
6 comments:
Yikes! Ouch! and: Good luck! I really hope this solves your biggest problems and you can get a normal life back. Well, as normal as it gets with three active boys, anyway. :) You'll be in my prayers that week!
What a big decision and thank goodness for prayer! :) Can you imagine making a decision like that without it? Best of luck to you and it looks like I'll finally have the opportunity to help you out a bit for once.
Woah. I've never seen your back like that! I really hope the surgery does everything it should, and more. :)
Wow Amy! You're curvy!! I'm nervous for you but happy too - I can't see you living a relatively pain-free life.
ugh, I meant "I can't wait to see you living a relatively pain-free life."
I think you made the right decision. I would have done the same, even though it's scary to think of someone messing around with your spine and the lengthy recovery period. Don't forget to get me a calendar of things you need so I know what I can do to help you.
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