I was first diagnosed with scoliosis at a school screening in 7th grade. I had a strange feeling that I had it before I was even checked. I can't explain why, but I just knew I had scoliosis. So I got called up to be checked and sure enough, the school nurse was saying, "Hmm..." And at that point, she told me to stand up and she explained to me that I might have scoliosis. I left the locker room (which was where we were being screened) and I had to walk past tons of curious girls that were all asking, "Do you have it? Do you have it?" I didn't answer anyone but I just went straight to the gym, sat on the bleachers and thought about having scoliosis until the bell rang.

I told my mom about how the screening went, and she couldn't believe it. She said, "Well, I guess we'll take you to a doctor." I didn't know what to think at this point. I didn't know much about scoliosis, but I still felt it was weird that I knew I had scoliosis before I was actually screened. So when I got in to see the doctor, she took one look at my back and she said, "Yep, you have it." So she explained to us that our option was probably a brace. She referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. Out in the car, I asked my mom, "There's no way I'll need a brace, right?" She looked sad and said she really didn't know.

When I went to an orthopedic surgeon, I had x-rays taken and my curves were 20 and 25 degrees. So I had to get a brace. When he said this, I felt like my world was crashing down over me. A brace? What will happen to me? I was so against it. My mom asked him about chiropractic care. The surgeon basically said, "That won't help at all." But we tried it anyway. I got the brace made too (but all I had to do was get measured for it-no plaster or anything). So I was seeing a chiropractor, and he felt positive that he could stop my scoliosis. After a couple weeks of treatment, he got my curves lowered by about 5-10 degrees. So I continued this until about a 4-month check-up for x-rays. My curves were up to 30 and 35 degrees now. I got another brace made (because the other one supposedly wasn't working and it was to small). After a couple more months of wearing the brace, I was in so much pain from it (especially from sleeping with it on-I had to wear it 23 hours a day) that I went in for another appointment for x-rays. My curves were now at 45 and 50 degrees. Basically, the brace wasn't working at all. So the surgeon said I didn't need to wear it anymore. Halleluiah! I was so happy! But...he also said I would need surgery. At this news, I was in unbelieving shock. I didn't want two metal rods screwed to my spine! No way! I had heard of the risks and dangers and I didn't want to end up paralyzed! I started crying at the apointment and said I didn't want surgery. So my mom told the surgeon that we'd think about it and give his office a call later.

So, a couple of weeks went by and I slowly realized how much I needed the surgery. I was in pain every day and night. Sometimes I would even cry myself to sleep. So once I accepted the fact that I need surgery, my mom scheduled the appointment for July 13th, 2005. It was kind of scary to have an actual date scheduled-that made it seem so much more realistic and soon! But my mom told me that she really wanted me to join some kind of online support group. So I found Spinekids on the internet and it was amazing! I realized how many other people were going through the same things I was. Some people had braces, some had already gone through surgery, some might need surgery, and tons of people felt the same way I did. I only joined in June, but I felt like it was ages ago. So I had to give blood, get even more x-rays taken, meet with an anesthesiologist, and read through packets of information about the surgery to better understand it. But all in all, I'm so glad I'm having surgery and just can't wait to update everyone about my experience in the hospital. So I hope you enjoyed my story (I'll write again after my surgery).

You can find Stacia on the SpineKIDS Message Boards, user name Tirtlebabie.