It’s not secret that Kat has been suffering from Scoliosis for too long. Even though we first realized it late last summer, I should have checked her back as soon as she mentioned she had pain back last school year. I went from thinking it was posture, backpack, sleeping positions… to realizing I needed to see why she had this constant ‘knot’ in her back. When I first checked and had her bend over, I felt like a failure.
Right away I knew what it was… Scoliosis. It progressed pretty rapidly from when we actually started getting it looked at by doctors and things (and trying chiropractic care just made her pain worse…) and we ended up going ahead with surgery. Lo and behold when they called me to schedule, a cancellation meant that she could have surgery in one week… One… week. Dear gods, neither of us had enough time to prepare I think!
This is a before and current shot of Kat from behind, just to see how much progress she’s had!! 😀 Her Scoliosis was really bothering her back and balance, so last Wednesday she went in for surgery. Her scar looks great and look at her waist! She’s a bit more balanced on the curve even though she’s not standing perfectly straight yet.
As she heals, we can work on the muscles and strength. Right now it’s rest, eating as good as she can, walking, being gentle on herself and just recovering from a major surgery.
As far as spinal fusion for scoliosis goes, I have to say I am super happy with the results of her surgery. One of the people from the hospital called yesterday to see how her first 24 hours at home went and said that Kat’s progress and general overall being at home was the best update she’s ever heard.
Kat is really doing well, and was super happy to come home. I’ll post more pictures of her back as things heal and we progress through time. I think for under going a surgery like this, and having scoliosis the way she has.,.. Kat has been really awesome. I couldn’t imagine her feelings are any better than mine, in fact I really bet it’s been worse on her.
That is a dramatic difference in her back. I am so grateful that medicine has the technology to help people like this as I can’t imagine living with it for life.
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I know, I can’t imagine either. 🙁 I feel so bad that I couldn’t magically take it away.
I’ve never seen it in detail like this before. Thanks for sharing Kat’s journey.
I’m glad the surgery went well and I hope healing will come quickly also.
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I’ve been pictures of where someones back is opened up mid surgery. I considered asking if someone could take some of Kat for me, but decided against it!
Glad to see that she’s progressing for the better! I have a sister who has scoliosis, although I don’t think it’s as curved as your daughters. Hopefully she can get it looked at and fixed before it gets worse.
Well, this post is talking about that she got surgery. ^_^ So, we’ve had it looked at and ‘fixed’ as much as we can right now.
Oh my gosh. I can’t even imagine. So painful looking. I hope she recovers fast and feels so much better. I know nothing about this condition.
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That is some surgery.. i am glad she is progressing well..
I didn’t realize this was how it was treated now. That is so much better than a brace which is what kids did when I was in school. What an improvement you can see already.
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If the degrees of the curve(s) are small enough they attempt bracing. Hers were too bad to brace, well the bottom one was anyway, so it was surgery time. Bracing doesn’t fix, just attempts to keep it from getting worse. They originally assumed that her curves likely wouldn’t get worse, but in four months time the top got 8* worse and the bottom 6* worse. 🙁
Looks like she’s back on the straight ‘n narrow! Happy she is progressing well.
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Wow that is a major difference.I am glad the recovery is going well.
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Me too! I can’t imagine what it feels like, but at one point she said it felt like she had a ‘metal box’ in her back. :/ I think the worst part of it right now is actually the muscle spasms as everything attempts to relax and get into better placement.
That’s an amazing difference! I’m so glad she’s doing well. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was a child, but it was very mild and never needed treatment.
A friend of mine went through this when we were in the 8th grade. I’m so glad everything worked out well for you. 😉
Wow, that looks like a rough surgery. Of course, kid surgeries are never easy 🙁 it sounds like it is healing well 🙂
Guess what? I had a terrible back surgery that made my back worse! The scoliosis treatment back in 1970 did not help my back. My back is not straight and I have back pain most of my life!! I am glad to see that your daughters back is better than mines and she looks like her back turned out perfect.
Oh my Karen!! I am so sorry that it didn’t help back then. 🙁 Kat seems to be doing a lot better which is great, I wish they could have helped you too!
I am so glad that they could fix that for her. I am glad she is healing quickly.
I’m glad that she’s healing up nicely. It’s tough to be the parent when you kid needs to go in for surgery so I hope you’re doing okay as well.