Stephanie's Scoliosis Surgery Story

BACKGROUND INFO:

I had spinal fusion surgery on December 20th. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was in the Helen Devos Children's Hospital (not the new one because it wasn't finished yet). I was in the ICU for two days I think and then they moved me to a regular room.

Basically what they did was fuse 5 vertebrates in my back together. There is two pounds of metal in my back which is made up of rods and screws. I lost 12lbs from the surgery and so far I've gained about 6 back. I'm also an inch taller from it! I'm now 5'1 3/4". Also, I can bend at three months, and I can start to dance at 6 months.

I don't remember about the first 3 weeks because I was so drugged up. All's I know is that there was a lot of crying and screaming from me every day for the first couple weeks.

The car ride home from the hospital on Dec 24th was NOT very successful. Though I don't remember it, my parents do very clearly.

The first couple weeks were spent laying in bed watching Full House. For a while, I could only go up and down the stairs once a day, so my bed was in the den on the main floor. I began to get stronger and could go up the stairs twice a day, and then three times, and now it doesn't matter how many times I go up and down as long as I'm careful.
The first shower was VERY tough and wore me out so much. But with each shower, I got stronger and stronger until I could do it all by myself.

I'm so thankful that God is healing me from this surgery, and I praise Him for helping me get stronger every day.

"For when I am weak, I am strong." ~2 Corinthians 12:10

Thank you for your prayers,
Stephanie

VIDEO TEXT:

My name is Stephanie and I have Scoliosis. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis in December 2009. Since I was done growing, they decided a brace wouldn't do anything. So, they put me in physical therapy. Physical therapy didn't help me, it only put me in more pain. Between xray checkups, my curve got worse...and worse...and worse. My back was in an 'S' shape, but the bottom curve was much more severe.

In January 2010, my curve was 42 degrees. In April 2010, my curve was 43 degrees. In October 2010, my curve was 51.9 degrees. 6 weeks after that, my curve was 58.9 degrees. He said I had to have surgery, and I had to have it SOON. My surgery date was set to December 20th, 2010. 5 Fused Vertebrates, 10 Screws, 2 Rods. 5 days in the hospital - they let me out early so I could go home on Christmas Eve :)

I thank God every day for the successful surgery! As of right now, I am still recovering, but recovering VERY well. I wouldn't have been able to do this without God, my family, and my friends! HUGE thank you to all of them AND my doctors!

If you have any questions or comments regarding Scoliosis or Scoliosis Surgery, feel free to leave a comment, send me a personal message, or email me at SqueakersSQUEAK@gmail.com

Thank you so much for watching!
Stephanie

Someone's Watching Over Me by Hilary Duff

Miss-spelled word: Regarding

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Stephanie's
• Scoliosis
• Surgery
• Story
• Spinal
• Fusion
• Xrays
• Curvature
• Spine
• Severe
• Degree
• Body
• Deformity
• Journey
• Video
• Life
• Dancer
• Kid
• Girl
• Teen
• Teenager
• Adolescence
• Child
• Pain

[SingingSami188]

i know how you feel i broke 3 bones in my foot. I luckily did not have surgery. I still cant run. it will be 6 months on January 15. I was in a wheelchair for 1 month and on crutches for 2. Then i had a walking boot. I am so sorry for you and i hope you are better

[SillyStephSings]

@SingingSami188 I hope you are feeling better, too!

[MrPeanutbuttertaco]

For a few days it's felt like my spine is bending and it's been hurting ALOT. My parents are taking me to the doctor. Eek nervous.

[SillyStephSings]

@MrPeanutbuttertaco Hope everything is well!

[SillyStephSings]

@MrPeanutbuttertaco Hope everything is well!

[SillyStephSings]

@MrPeanutbuttertaco Hope everything is well!

[7SparklingKids]

thats so sad i really cried

[SillyStephSings]

@tysonilove I'm glad you're okay!

[SillyStephSings]

@megflower22 I'm glad the brace helped your curve! :)

[megflower22]

I have scoliosis too! I got a spinecor brace when it was at 22 degrees, went down to seven degrees now it's back up at 18 degrees . In thankful for my doctors who have helped me through this! God bless you !

[tysonilove]

I have this 2... I got Surgery also, but my degree was a 45.6