With one hand on my back, I gently sat on the sofa and winced with the pain! “I think you should go to the GP Abbi.” Said my mum. “I think you have Scoliosis….” “Scoli….what?” I said with utter confused. “I think its like a curve in the spine…..a girl at work has it, and her shoulders stick out, just like yours do.”

I grabbed the medical dictionary, found scoliosis and read the definition (‘a lateral curvature of the spine’) “It can’t be that bad mum.” I said. “I have probably just pulled a muscle.”Later that week, I went online to research scoliosis, and was shocked with what I found….I saw images of people’s backs that looked like mine, I read stories of their diagnoses’ and it all sounded so familiar. I also found a test - The Adams forward bend test, and decided to try it to see if anything showed.

“Oh Abbi….” My mum said, you really do have a curve there. So it was straight off to the GP for me. I explained my pain and told of the curve that was noticed. I mentioned that my shoulders always had been a little uneven through my early teenage years, and my ribs stuck out.

My GP checked, and saw it, ordered me to go for x-rays and sent me home with painkillers for the pain. A week or so later I went for x-rays, and then anxiously waited for the results. After two weeks, I had not heard and so I phoned, and it was then when I realised that I had something a lot more serious than just a pulled muscle. I was told my x-rays had been sent off to a consultant and I would get to see him soon.

The diagnosis...
I went to the consultant in May of 2004 and he looked at my back, and said I had quite a noticeable curve; he then officially diagnosed me with scoliosis. He said there was a possibility that I may require surgery to correct my spine, this scared both me and my parents. I was told I would need to see a specialist surgeon in the city.

From May to August I waited for an appointment, and I finally got one for the start of August. It got to the day before when I received a phone call saying it had been cancelled. This upset me a lot, as I had to wait through the pain, not knowing how serious my condition was.

I got an appointment through for the start of September, and it came round pretty quickly. I was nervous going into this appointment, and really did not want to hear the word “surgery”

The ‘S’ word...
I had various x-rays taken in different positions, and then I got to see the specialist. He looked at my back, took my family history (no history of scoliosis in the family). Then he showed me the x-rays I had taken! I was so shocked to see them….my spine was in an ‘S’ shape, and was curved so much.

I was told the curves measured in at 80 degrees each!

At that point I knew he would mention surgery, and sure enough, he did. I was told that correction for scoliosis would involve inserting various bits of metalwork into my spine, and fusing almost all of my discs. I was also told to re-consider my chosen career of nursing.

I came home from the appointment numb, and unable to think clearly. I had told the specialist that I would go ahead with the surgery, but I wasn’t sure. Luckily I had my close friends and family to support me.

I waited until January and had an MRI scan of my whole spine, and then a month later I saw the specialist. I was told, I may have to wait another year, until Feb. 2006. I was devastated, and thought “how will I make it through another year, with this pain.”

I got on with my life, until in June 2005 I got a phone call and was told I was needed to go to the hospital in a few weeks time for pre op tests and that my surgery would be on August 23rd. I of course was totally shocked, and didn’t know what to think. I had applied for university and got it in, and I was just prepared to wait for the surgery!

The pre op tests went well…I had breathing tests, and tests to check my spinal cord function. I was wired up to a computer and the ran through the test. It was a little uncomfortable as it made my toes and fingers twitch.

I saw my surgeon again, and I learned more about surgery. I was told that I would be operated on by a different surgeon, as he was going away, I learned of the risks that came with the surgery. The risk of infection the risk of the surgery not working, and the risk of paralysis.

My mum was so upset after knowing of these risks and didn’t want me to go through with it. “I wish I could take it all away for you without this operation.” She said.

I met my anaesthetist around 8am, and he asked me sum questions, and discussed my pain relief. I chose the epidural and he was happy about that - he said most people go for that. He offered me a pre med but I didn’t think I needed one, cos I felt ok.

The day before surgery...
After that everything went pretty quickly, and soon it was August 22nd. I wasn’t too nervous on the morning I was due to be admitted. I had my bags packed and everything was ready to go, I just needed to wait to hear if I had confirmation of a bed.

I finally set off and arrived to the hospital for 5pm. I had blood tests, and filled in a consent form, to say I agreed to have the surgery (which was quite scary). I then got settled in a bed on the ward at 6pm. All the staff where lovely, and made me feel at ease. It was all very real at that point, but I was excited to be getting on with it, and having a straighter and more pain free back.

My parents and sister stayed with me until 10pm and then left. It was weird being in the hospital, when I wasn’t actually ill…and when I felt “fine.”

The morning of surgery...
I was woken up at 6am, and had to have a shower. I got a surgical gown (which was rather horrendous …it was see through and backless!!) and waited. I met my surgeon, and had more of the surgery explained. I met the anaesthetist around 8am…he was so nice, he told me I was the “star of the day” (always nice to be called a star) we talked through my pain relief and what sort of tubes and things I would have over me, when I woke up!

I was offered a pre med, but I felt fine and really calm anyway, so I didn’t take it.

After that I was taken down to theatre. I wasn’t nervous at all….I was just worried about my family, and how they would cope with the waiting. I was taken to this little room beside theatre and was asked a lot of the same questions that I was asked in the ward like my name date of birth and what not. The anesthetist then came in and was like “it’s not too late to run away, you know.” I laughed and was like “That’s a good idea….” But I stayed were I was!

I then had an IV put into my arm and gave me some “happy juice” while people were sticking lots of little monitors and things all over me. A few moments later I started to feel really relaxed! He then gave me some oxygen to breathe. After that things got really hazy, and it seemed like everyone was far away. The last thing I remember was the anesthetist saying “have good dreams sweetie and we will take good care of you...” Then what seemed like two seconds later I woke up in recovery.

The long road to recovery...

August 24th
I woke the next day, on the ward, and it was a hazy day. I remember being sick, and various Doctors, coming in and poking me. My mum and sister came in to see me around lunch time and sat and talked. I don’t remember much of that. They read me out messages from online and told me of who all phoned and texted and asked about me. The radiographers came round with a portable x-ray machine later and took some chest x-rays, it hurt so much, they lifted me up and stuck this x-ray film board behind my back – so very sore! The rest of my time was spent sleeping!

August 25th
Thursday was more of a visible day for me, I feel less groggy and more alive, but I was in some pain! They weakened my epidural and they took me off the drip. I was asked if I wanted breakfast, but I really didn’t feel like it. I think I took something, just to please the nurses. After I ate, I threw it all back up again. My family came in again and chatted a lot. I felt really weak and awful, and still very tired! My parents and sisters wanted to see my scar, but I didn’t feel able enough to roll over myself and let them see it.

August 26th (On my feet….)
On Friday morning my surgeon came round and had a look at my chest drain and pronounced it ready to come out, and boy did it hurt….he was so blasé about it all….he sat and talked to the nurse about what she was going to do for the weekend and was she off on bank holiday Monday, while I was lying there going “owwww, owwww, please stop its really sore….ugh.” after it came out they put a small stitch in it and left me to sit in self pity.

After lunch the nurses came around and said, “ok your chest drain is out, so lets get you out of this bed.” and I thought, “what?!? You want me to walk??” They sat me up slowly and brought me to the edge of the bed. Then got me to stand up. I felt so weak and dizzy and was like “I can’t do this, let me go back to bed.” but they got me a chair and told me to stay put. I sat in the chair for about 15 minutes until I nearly feel off it with dizziness. (Thank God there were visitors who saw me nearly dying.) When I got back into bed I felt so crap and stupid, and was like - I can’t even sit up for 15 minutes, I am so useless. I guess I was too hard on myself. Some online friends sent me messages and encouraged me, and just reminded me about what I had been through!

August 27th (I feel clean….)
On Saturday they got me out again, this time for a shower. I was so pleased to have one, although it hurt loads. They sat me on this shower chair and got me washed. One of the nurses dried and did my hair which was nice, I felt a little more human then. They made me sit up this time for an hour. After 30 minutes I was like “please let me go into bed, I am tired” but the nurse was like, nope, stay out longer. So I did! Then I got annoyed and being rebellious and got into bed myself.

My dad and sisters came around in the afternoon with a big bag of goodies for me to eat, but I wasn’t having any of it, literally, not because I was being awkward or stubborn, but because I wasn’t hungry, I had no appetite at all. Everything I looked at didn’t look right. I think I managed a few grapes and small drink in the end.

August 28th
I was told by a nurse I may be getting out tomorrow, so that is pretty exciting, although I haven’t seen my surgeon in a while and I haven’t had any x-rays or anything or had a visit from a physio. I started to feel stronger, I was able to stay out of bed more and walk down the hall and back! My little sister gave me a lovely hand and foot massage, while my mum feed me grapes, so I was being treated very well. :)

August 29th
On Monday, I thought I would be going home, but it was a bank holiday so I couldn’t go home! I was sick again last night which wasn’t nice! My uncle came in to see me and was very impressed with my walking, and the way I looked too! My family and a friend came round also, and brought me lots of nice food, which I managed to eat. I also impressed the nurses with my walking tonight; I walked down the hall and back with no assistance! They were shocked. “Is this the new you?” I mentioned to the nurse that I was a little over to the left and I felt weird, and she told me she would get my surgeon to have a look at me.

August 30th
On Tuesday morning I thought I’d be home, but I couldn’t go home as my tummy was not settled. I was sick again, and also I couldn’t manage to go to the toilet. The Registrar came to see me, and said I would be home tomorrow, so that is exciting. My surgeon also came to see me, to see my balance. He got me to bend over a little and to the side, and said I was a little off centre, like I was leaning to the side, but that would straighten out with time, as my muscles adjusted to the new shape! The physio’s also came to see me to take me to do the stairs, and I mastered them, which was great! My family came down to see me, and brought more food, which I ate!

August 31st
Wednesday was my going home day, and I was so excited! I got a shower by myself, which was hard, I was so tired that I got back into bed, but one of the mean nurses told me that I would have to sit out if I wanted to go home! So I managed to sit out for three hours, got my lunch and had a nap at rest time.

My mum and sister came to get me at 2.30, and I got changed into “normal” clothes. I saw the OT and got chairs organised for home. I finally left the hospital around 4pm, and arrived home at 5.30pm, and got my lovely scrambled eggs, which I was craving all day!

Recovering at home
It was long and tiring process for both me and my family. My muscles were very weak and tired after such a long surgery. I was very pale as I had lost a lot of blood and was thinner as I had lost some weight too.

Six months later I was allowed to swim, cycle, and drive. I felt a little stiff, but I adjusted well to the change in my shape!

Now...
At 11 months post op, I am free from all restrictions; I can go on small rollercoaster’s, ice skate and climb mountains!

I am so happy I went ahead with the surgery, even though it was a long tiring and hard process, I now have a straight and pain free spine, and am able to live life just like normal, with just a few limitations!

  
Preop and Postop X-rays

  
posterior scar at 4 days post op       anterior scar at 3 weeks post op

You can talk to Abbi (username Abbi17) on the SpineKIDS message boards.

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