Greetings to one and all! Basically, this blog is going to be very informal. It's just going to keep you updated on my progress after my surgery on the morning of Thursday, May 14. It's so hard for me to believe that in 5 days, counting today, I will have a straight spine. I think the last time I had that was in 7th or 8th grade.
Here's the deal. What I think happened was a major growth spurt sometime in 8th grade or right after it, because by 9th grade, my spine was curved 47 degrees. However, I got the mandatory scoliosis check at school in 7th grade, and I was straight as an arrow, so somewhere in that period of time, things went wacky. After being checked out by my primary physician and a spine specialist in 9th grade, I was told that I would probably need surgery to correct the curve eventually. The plan was that I would get the full surgery after my graduation from college, which was 8 years from that point, but there was no rush, and I really didn't have enough time for recovery during my high school summers. Over the next few years, I noticed that my clothes weren't fitting as well, and I had developed somewhat of a hump on the right side of my back, but it didn't bother me much. In fact, it even became somewhat of a private joke among my family and friends. I didn't have a problem laughing about it.
However, this year, my sophomore year at Duke, the pain increased very suddenly, as well as some numbness in my lower back and in my right leg. I decided it was time to get things checked out, especially since I was experiencing awful pain and becoming short of breath from walking small distances. I went to the Hey Clinic in Raleigh in April, got some new x-rays taken, and found out that the curve had progressed to 53 degrees, and it was a unique curve. If you know me, you know how unique I am, so it's only fitting that the curve is unique, too. Dr. Hey and his staff were very friendly and knowledgeable, and on that very day, my dad and I scheduled my surgery for May 14, 2009. It was so sudden, but I knew it was what I wanted to do. One of the main reasons is that Dr. Hey said I wouldn't be able to have children with my spine in its current condition, and that's extremely important to me. He outlined the surgical process for my father and me, and although I can't explain it in medical terms, I understand it to be straightening my spine using some rods and screws in place of some of my crooked vertebrae. The process should take about 3 hours, and I will only be in the hospital for 2-3 nights afterwards. The recovery time is about 6 weeks, but after 2 weeks, I can resume most normal activities. I know it's not going to be easy, but if I survived a few failed attempts at getting my blood drawn a couple weeks ago, I think I can handle it. Stupid roaming veins in my arms.
I'm currently at the beach with my parents enjoying a last little vacation before I go under the knife, but we're heading home today. I was going to say tomorrow, but it's past midnight. I got burned lying out in the sun today, so my skin might be crispy when Dr. Hey cuts me open, but I'm sure he'll find a way to work around it. I'm trying to think if I've left anything out. I'm sure I have, but it's late, and I'm too sunburned to remember. Anyways, thanks for checking out my blog, and I'll keep the updates coming as much as I can!
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