I am Having MAJOR back surgery, and am really scared!!

Musicman408 · #1 11-24-2006, 08:18 AM

So I don't know if any of you all knew this, but I have scoliosis and this coming spring, I am going to be needing surgury to correct it. The curve is bad enough and my spine unfortunately is so ridgid that they are going to have to do, in essence, 2 surgeries. One in the front and one in the back. I will be in the hospital from 7 days to 10 days, and I will be home away from my friends and loves at school for a month. I just thought I would let you all know, because it is definately something that is on my mind.

I love you guys,
Ethan

ryan8472 · #2 11-24-2006, 09:03 AM

Ethan, that really sucks that it's going to make you miss so much time from school! But you know it has to be done, and I'm sure everything will go smoothly, so there's no need to worry! I'll def. be thinkin about you though when the time comes.

GODDESS6 · #3 11-24-2006, 09:29 AM

just have to say i had scoliosis also as a teen, pretty severe also~ i totally know what you are going thru, tho i didn't have to have the surgery (my uncle did tho) i had to do everything else like wear the brace which at the time seemed awful~ thankfully mine was healed by physical therapy & this crazy backbend my orthopedic surgeon devised, but it wrked, i did it faithfully for 2 years & it wrked~ i wish you all the luck w/ this when it is all said & done, you will feel great & all the other crap that goes w/ it will be gone~

surgery is always scary, the last time i had it, i had just had my son & the thought of going under while you have a 7 day old at home is the most scary thing i have ever felt in my life~ it'll be fine tho

~

PsychCat · #4 11-24-2006, 09:58 AM

Try not to focus on the "being scared".... instead, focus on the "getting better". I know that's probably easy for me to say from here, but the mind and body are so connected that changing your thoughts can help.

I have amazing back pain myself and wouldn't wish it upon anyone!
Take care of yourself and be patient... congratulations on getting this taken care of.

Musicman408 · #5 11-24-2006, 11:49 AM

You all, thanks for your kind words. I will fill you in a little more as the time comes closer, but I just wanted to thank you all for your support. I really appreciate it.

Much Love,
Ethan

DestinyRules · #6 11-25-2006, 12:34 PM

I have scoliosis too, but luckily, it hadn't progressed the last time I got it checked. Admittedly, it's been a while, but I haven't had any problems with my back since the diagnosis.

HOWEVER, I just went under the knife for an orchiectomy (to have my left testicle removed) and they found cancer. Fortunately, what they found was a seminoma and the doctor thinks he got it before it could spread too far. I was extremely lucky because the doctor was talking about having me take it easy for two weeks, but I was back at work in four days.

SuzeQuze · #7 11-25-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DestinyRules

I have scoliosis too, but luckily, it hadn't progressed the last time I got it checked. Admittedly, it's been a while, but I haven't had any problems with my back since the diagnosis.

HOWEVER, I just went under the knife for an orchiectomy (to have my left testicle removed) and they found cancer. Fortunately, what they found was a seminoma and the doctor thinks he got it before it could spread too far. I was extremely lucky because the doctor was talking about having me take it easy for two weeks, but I was back at work in four days.

Omigosh. Cancer frigging sucks. I'm glad your doc caught it so early!

Ethan, let us know when you are going so we can send you good thoughts. Sorry you have to go through this!

gldstwmn · #8 11-25-2006, 01:04 PM

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Johnny Stew · #9 11-25-2006, 04:22 PM

I can imagine how scared you are, but, like PsychCat said, try to focus on the idea of being stronger and healthier.

Best wishes!

Johnny Stew · #10 11-25-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DestinyRules

I just went under the knife for an orchiectomy (to have my left testicle removed) and they found cancer. Fortunately, what they found was a seminoma and the doctor thinks he got it before it could spread too far. I was extremely lucky because the doctor was talking about having me take it easy for two weeks, but I was back at work in four days.

Wow... that's pretty heavy. I imagine it takes a good amount of having to adapt to the change in your body (much like when a woman has to have a mastectomy).

I'm very glad to hear you're recovering so quickly.

DrummerDeanna · #11 11-25-2006, 04:32 PM

Good Luck Ethan- you'll be fine - you're young and your body will heal wonderfully....I can totally understand being scared though - this is a big deal - but we'll be thinking of you

Musicman408 · #12 11-26-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Good Luck Ethan- you'll be fine - you're young and your body will heal wonderfully....I can totally understand being scared though - this is a big deal - but we'll be thinking of you

Yeah, thank you. Another major downside is the scarring. I will be opened up from the front and the back. so that is a major downside. But I guess what can you do. U guess I wasn;t meant to have an extrememly hot body......

Much Love,
Ethan

GiniLeaE · #13 11-26-2006, 06:37 PM

Ethan,

My Mom had scoliosis and I have kyphosis (I'm 32). She had to wear the brace as a kid through her early teens and she didn't have to have the surgery, but unfortunately she probably was the victim of bad advice because she now (at the age of 52) has breathing difficulties and one hip is higher than the other. Luckily, I only have kyphosis which just adds a small curvature to my spine and makes my asthma a little worse.

I have a genetic immune disease that I've always had to deal with and my take on it (and you seem like an upbeat person like me!) is this...God doesn't give us anything that we can't handle! Now, lots of people aren't religious/spiritual...and hell, I've gone through periods of strife and grief (especially with the deaths in my family - I even lost my 18 month old baby sister to another genetic disease) that made me question my faith, but I always go back to my belief that whenever God closes a door, He/She (whatever you chose to believe) opens a window!

A lot of people think religion is for the weak or simple-minded, and I strongly disagree (and you know...this thread isn't for debate on this subject so, I digress!) as it is for COMFORT and this is hopefully what is for you...

Medically, I am sure that you will be fine...as I am a Biologist/Chemist and teacher and you are (as well as your parents) an advocate for your care. Seek a second opinion if you are unsure of the need for surgery, but review as much literature online and in medical journals as possible...