When was your scoliosis first diagnosed? At the end of 4th grade, but it hadn't progressed enough for any type of treatment.
What was your curvature then? Don't remember
How did you feel when you found out you had scoliosis? I didn't really know what it was, so nothing really
What treatment was used initially? Right after finding out, nothing except observing it was done. Then, it had progressed a great deal, so I had a Boston Brace from about Feb 2001 to December 2001.
What was your curvature when your doctor suggested surgery? I don't remember exactly, somewhere around 50-57 degrees.
When did the doctors suggest the surgery? It was mentioned many times as a last resort, and when I went for a brace check-up thing sometime around November, and found out the brace wasn't helping, so we decided on the surgery.
How did you feel about needing the surgery? Mixed feelings. I wasn't really scared... I think I knew it was coming, and I just decided not to get upset or anything, I knew it would help me and once it was over I wouldn't have to worry about any serious problems in the long run that could occur from the scoliosis getting worse.
Which type of surgery did you have? Posterior Spinal Fusion
How many rods/instrumentaion were used? Two Rods
Describe everything you remember from the day of surgery.
I got to the hospital sometime around 6, my surgery was scheduled for 7. We checked in, and waited in the room with all the other pre-op kids and a bunch of toys, TVs, and games. When they called my name, my parents filled out all of the forms and I got changed and did the whole pre-op routine. I waited in a bed with these warmed-up blankets, lol, and waited with all the other kids. They put the electrode things all over my head and on my legs and stuff. They gave me "silly juice" to make me drowsy and stuff. I said goodbye to my parents, they wheeled me back to the OR, and that was kind of a blur. I remember it being all busy, and them putting the anesthesia mask on me. After I woke up, the first day I mostly slept and don't remember most of that day.
What was your post-operative curve? Somewhere around 7 and 9 Degrees
What was the date of the surgery? February 20, 2002
How many days were you in the hospital? I left on the 5th day
What pain medications did you have? Morphine and oxy- something. lol Don't remember exactly.
Did you have any complications? Nothing major... I just needed something a few days later for hemoglobin or something, I got more blood afterwards one night after waking up really sick feeling, and an allergic reaction to the oxy-whatever its called stuff at home. I got hives and my face swelled up a little.
Have you had/did you have any follow up treatment? Just appointments yearly now.
Did you loose weight? I lost about 3 lbs
What hospital did you have your surgery at? Children's Hospital of Philadephia
Who was your surgeon? Dr. John P Dormans
What would you tell other scoliosis patients about your experence? It's really not that bad. Sure, it is painful at first and stuff is harder to do right away, but it's totally worth it. Besides correcting the problem, scoliosis surgery has let me meet some wonderful people. Definently worth it!
