Hey! My name is Kayla and I'll be sixteen March of 2008. I lead a perfectly normal life. I have awesome friends and a Godly family. I love hanging out with my friends the most and just goofing off. My eighth grade year my mom noticed that my back was uneven and that I could possibly have scoliosis. She took me to the doctor and I ended up having severe scoliosis, I got x-rayed and that was pretty much it for a while. This kind of scared me since I didn’t even like the sight of a needle. I hoped and prayed that it would be okay and that I wouldn’t have to have anything major like surgery. Then I had my first visit to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Greensville, SC. My doctor’s there agreed that they would just watch my curve and I could come back every six months for x-rays. Although I was on the border of having surgery they said I probably wouldn’t grow anymore and that there was a chance it wouldn’t worsen and I wouldn’t have to have surgery. In June of 2007 I went back for my check-up and they saw that slowly by slowly my curve was progressing and eventually I would need the surgery. This terrified me, I had never had surgery. My mom went ahead and scheduled the surgery for November 5, 2007. I went hysterical and started crying and questioning why. I really wasn’t expecting this and I loved seeing my friends so much at school I really didn’t want to be out of school for a long time. I continued on that summer having a blast with my friends and going on trips but, the day of my surgery was always in the back of my mind. It seemed as if I couldn’t get it out of my head and I questioned God a lot asking why he would let something this major happened to me. I just didn’t understand.

Pre-Op
The Pre-Op day rolled around and I was a little nervous because I really didn’t know what to expect. It seemed like we were at the doctor forever and ever that day. They took x-rays and tests but not anything major or painful just normal tests. They told me what was going to be happening the day of my surgery. The worst part of the visit was getting my blood taken because I absolutely hate needles not to mention the setting of a hospital alone scared me. I went home that day finally. My friends wanted me to go to a football game that night but I didn’t because I was sort of shook up and nervous. The next night I hung out with my friends though. It sort of relieved me and took my mind off of everything.

Surgery Day
I woke up really early that morning. I expected to be extremely nervous and hysterical. Surprisingly I was at a peace. I had prayed about it and everyone else had been praying for me that God gave me a peace that it was going to be okay. I was a little nervous don’t get me wrong but nothing like I expecting. A really long car ride and we were there. We waited for a while till they called us up. A woman asked me some questions and after that I had to get undressed and changed into a hospital gown, stockings for circulation and a hospital band. I laid on a bed and began crying because it really sunk in was going to take place. My pastors came in and prayed with me. My nurse gave me a lot of pills that calmed my nerves and made me really drowsy. My anesthesiologist gave me an IV but she did it so fast I didn’t feel a thing. My family visited with me and that’s the last thing I remember. I’m not really sure but I think I might remember my doctor’s talking to me before my surgery but I’m not positive. I woke up in an intensive care unit with another girl who had the same surgery. I was in pain and I kept pushing the button on my IV for more medicine for the pain.

Hospital Stay
I didn’t eat much but I was really sore and couldn’t move for about the first 2 or 3 days. I lost ten pounds and it took a while to gain most of it back. After a couple days I could roll on my side. I walked a few steps and they sat me in a wheelchair. This was the most immense pain I had ever felt. It felt as if my spine was grinding together and I really didn’t like sitting that much. I really didn’t eat a lot during my stay at the hospital. After the first four days I got moved to a regular room. I slept a lot and occasionally I walked around and participated in the activities they had. I watched TV and talked to my friends some on the phone. I was really anxious in going home though and ready to go. The hospital stay wasn’t bad at all and I must say I enjoyed getting everything I wanted. Ha-ha! I finally went home 8 days after my surgery. I even grew and inch and a half and I am now 5’7 1/2.

Post-Op and going Home
I finally walked out to our SUV and had a lot of trouble getting into it. I was really sore riding in the car for the first time. When I got home I practically ran up the stairs I was so ready to be home. For the next three weeks I laid in my bed and watched TV. I couldn’t bathe for two weeks so I had to take a sponge bath and have my hair washed at a salon. I got out sometimes and went places and my friends came and saw me some. I did some of my school work at home because I was homebound. On December 11th I went to one of my good friend’s birthday parties and this was the first time I really got out other than church.

Life after Surgery
I went back to school the week of the December 10th and a million people told me they were glad I was back. I only went back for half days but the next week I went back for whole days. Things started getting normal again and I was hanging out with friends and going places again. I had a lot of problems sleeping for several weeks. I finally quit taking my pain meds about 3 weeks after my surgery. I finally could move easily, sit comfortably, and get out of bed very easy. Now it’s been almost three months and I go back soon for a check-up. I can do pretty much everything and I feel great. I still have a lot of physical activity I can’t do until my spine fuses in about a year. I’m really glad I had the surgery and got it over with I can drive next month again and even though I have a long scar down my back I’m living a really great life with awesome friends and family that support me fully!

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