Hello Sherry. I hope your procedure went very well. I had my spinal fusion way back when scoliosis was a new disease and testing in middle school was new. I was 14 when it was discovered I had a quickly progressing S curve from lower cervical to mid lumbar regions. They pulled me out of school to do the surgery asap. I was in the hospital sedated 7 days then a body cast and 7 more days. The cast was from my chin to my hips and weighed 40 lbs. After 5 months, the cast was changed to an under arm to hip cast. I was active and ignored the doctor's warnings to never sleep on a water bed and other silly things. The only things I have found difficult with an 18" rod in the middle of my back is doing a summersault or cartwheel and squeezing into small areas. Now that I am MANY years older, I find my spine above and below have taken the brunt of my activities and require some TLC. It never stopped me from playing broomball with a cast on, horseback riding, dog wrestling as a vet tech, having children, and all activities of daily living. I mostly forget that I have impeccable posture until someone comments on it or asks about my scar.
Live your life to the fullest and God bless, Tanya