BlueAtlas
09-24-2006, 02:23 PM
Hey back buddies,
Tomorrow is my date. It's finally here! I'm ready and wanting to just get it over with!
They'll continue from my old fusion (T4-L4) and go all the rest of the way down. They might put screws into L3, too, depending on how it looks when they get in. They'll also put hooks into my spine farther up and attach rods from there to my pelvic bones on each side. They plan to use a mix of my own bone and donor bone and will go in from both the front and the back. They'll use staples in the front and will decide during surgery whether they'll use staples or stitches in the back. I'm not looking forward to the staples coming OUT!
I'm told that although the rate of non-fusion is pretty low, I'm at high risk for it, so they've already given me the bone growth stimulator and it's charged up and ready to go. I'm told that I don't have to wear the brace all the time, but I think I'm going to want the support. I'm ready to wear it 24/7 if my doctor says it will help. I don't want my muscles to weaken too much, but with my sidewards pull from a 75 degree scoliosis, I would think I would lessen the chances of a non-fusion by having that huge mass supported. I'll do whatever the doc says!
We were handed a list this morning of people who will bring us meals, so I'm not worrying about my family. My homeschooled teenagers are probably thinking, "cool! Mom won't be here so I can play my guitar all morning and not start my schoolwork til after lunch!" (Of course, they know I'll be checking to see that they did everything I've left for them once I get home, so they can delay it but they can't avoid it!)
Thank you, everyone who has given me encouragement, tips, and answers to my nitty gritty questions. I appreciate your taking the time to read and answer my posts. You are the best! I am as prepared as I can possibly be!
Love you all!
Resting,
Emily
Tomorrow is my date. It's finally here! I'm ready and wanting to just get it over with!
They'll continue from my old fusion (T4-L4) and go all the rest of the way down. They might put screws into L3, too, depending on how it looks when they get in. They'll also put hooks into my spine farther up and attach rods from there to my pelvic bones on each side. They plan to use a mix of my own bone and donor bone and will go in from both the front and the back. They'll use staples in the front and will decide during surgery whether they'll use staples or stitches in the back. I'm not looking forward to the staples coming OUT!
I'm told that although the rate of non-fusion is pretty low, I'm at high risk for it, so they've already given me the bone growth stimulator and it's charged up and ready to go. I'm told that I don't have to wear the brace all the time, but I think I'm going to want the support. I'm ready to wear it 24/7 if my doctor says it will help. I don't want my muscles to weaken too much, but with my sidewards pull from a 75 degree scoliosis, I would think I would lessen the chances of a non-fusion by having that huge mass supported. I'll do whatever the doc says!
We were handed a list this morning of people who will bring us meals, so I'm not worrying about my family. My homeschooled teenagers are probably thinking, "cool! Mom won't be here so I can play my guitar all morning and not start my schoolwork til after lunch!" (Of course, they know I'll be checking to see that they did everything I've left for them once I get home, so they can delay it but they can't avoid it!)
Thank you, everyone who has given me encouragement, tips, and answers to my nitty gritty questions. I appreciate your taking the time to read and answer my posts. You are the best! I am as prepared as I can possibly be!
Love you all!
Resting,
Emily