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Moderator

Scoliosis - Introduce yourself and meet others

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Apr 25, 2017

Let's talk about living with scoliosis.
As a community moderator of the Bones, Joints & Muscles and Spine Health groups, I've noticed several members talking about scoliosis, but those discussions were scattered throughout the community. I thought I would start this discussion to bring us all together in one place.

Get comfortable in your favorite spot, grab a beverage of your choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

gailfaith | @gailfaith | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailfaith "@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that..." + (show)
@gailfaith

@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that that is an excuse. But I am now disabled due to a Dr.'s mistake but I don't blame him completely. Several years ago before I had one of my knees replaced, the Dr was giving me cortisone and Synvisc to hold off on the replacement as long as possible. One Friday he had injected such and I was fine for the weekend but woke up Monday morning very weak. I basically did nothing much physically except sit and read and by Friday I was back to my "normal." The next time I met with him I mentioned it and he said we'll never give you another big dose of cortisone again. Two years later I had my other knee replaced and at a post surgery follow-up, he had to aspirate the joint to remove fluid. He left that job for his resident to do, but the resident couldn't do it, so the Dr. came in and did it. Of course when I am lying down I can't see what they are doing. I was again fine for the weekend, but again on Monday morning I was very weak again and realized he had probably injected cortisone again. I figure,d since the resident started it, apparently their routine is to inject cortisone following an aspiration, so after the Dr. successfully removed the fluid, he saw the other syringe and per routine, injected it. I thought again by Friday I will be OK again, but this time the damage was permanent. So now I am fighting to stay out of wheelchair as even the Doctors at Mayo told me I can get worse but never better. So the lesson is......don't assume a doctor remembers every detail about every patient ....or even thinks you are someone else.. Several yrs ago I made an appt with another doctor in a totally different field. I had only seen him several times previously. Looking a "my" chart", he started asking me about some medications and I had no idea what he was talking about. Finally he asked my name and then he realized he had someone else's chart! So......if you have thoughts or ideas that any doctor or other professional may be thinking you are someone else, even though you both may be embarrassed ........ASK. They probably won't thank you verbally but I'm sure they will at least think about it later and be grateful for your questioning....even if they were correct in the first place. In your case, maybe he had the right person in mind, but had not updated himself with YOUR records. It doesn't cost anything to ask and it may save........who knows what!

Jump to this post

@lauralee Yes, you are SOOOOoooooo right. As Christians, I should have never used the word "Jealous" or even " envious". Sorry. gailfaith.

REPLY
Marield65. Marie | @marield65 | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailfaith "@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that..." + (show)
@gailfaith

@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that that is an excuse. But I am now disabled due to a Dr.'s mistake but I don't blame him completely. Several years ago before I had one of my knees replaced, the Dr was giving me cortisone and Synvisc to hold off on the replacement as long as possible. One Friday he had injected such and I was fine for the weekend but woke up Monday morning very weak. I basically did nothing much physically except sit and read and by Friday I was back to my "normal." The next time I met with him I mentioned it and he said we'll never give you another big dose of cortisone again. Two years later I had my other knee replaced and at a post surgery follow-up, he had to aspirate the joint to remove fluid. He left that job for his resident to do, but the resident couldn't do it, so the Dr. came in and did it. Of course when I am lying down I can't see what they are doing. I was again fine for the weekend, but again on Monday morning I was very weak again and realized he had probably injected cortisone again. I figure,d since the resident started it, apparently their routine is to inject cortisone following an aspiration, so after the Dr. successfully removed the fluid, he saw the other syringe and per routine, injected it. I thought again by Friday I will be OK again, but this time the damage was permanent. So now I am fighting to stay out of wheelchair as even the Doctors at Mayo told me I can get worse but never better. So the lesson is......don't assume a doctor remembers every detail about every patient ....or even thinks you are someone else.. Several yrs ago I made an appt with another doctor in a totally different field. I had only seen him several times previously. Looking a "my" chart", he started asking me about some medications and I had no idea what he was talking about. Finally he asked my name and then he realized he had someone else's chart! So......if you have thoughts or ideas that any doctor or other professional may be thinking you are someone else, even though you both may be embarrassed ........ASK. They probably won't thank you verbally but I'm sure they will at least think about it later and be grateful for your questioning....even if they were correct in the first place. In your case, maybe he had the right person in mind, but had not updated himself with YOUR records. It doesn't cost anything to ask and it may save........who knows what!

Jump to this post

Can't we just keep to the subject and leave politics and religion out of it and just respect each other and their beliefs? Marield65

REPLY
Marield65. Marie | @marield65 | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @lauralee "Hi, I was raised Lutheran, realized God's gifts were still being utilized- went to a Lutheran..." + (show)
@lauralee

Hi, I was raised Lutheran, realized God's gifts were still being utilized- went to a Lutheran Seminary;
Ordained yet not felt to be a pastor of a church. Rather, I am a speaker, teacher, writer,disciple others, organizer, officiate at weddings, in other words reds I wear many 'hats'. The area I love most is, as I speak, to know when God's spirit
(Holy Spirit) is around. Then tell others to wait and listen to what if anything He reveals to them.
Many want to hear and communicate with Him but are unsure what to do: when His presence is near we are all experiencing something which changes us.

Jump to this post

Please read the reply I wrote above.?
Marield65

REPLY
lauralee | @lauralee | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailfaith "@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that..." + (show)
@gailfaith

@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that that is an excuse. But I am now disabled due to a Dr.'s mistake but I don't blame him completely. Several years ago before I had one of my knees replaced, the Dr was giving me cortisone and Synvisc to hold off on the replacement as long as possible. One Friday he had injected such and I was fine for the weekend but woke up Monday morning very weak. I basically did nothing much physically except sit and read and by Friday I was back to my "normal." The next time I met with him I mentioned it and he said we'll never give you another big dose of cortisone again. Two years later I had my other knee replaced and at a post surgery follow-up, he had to aspirate the joint to remove fluid. He left that job for his resident to do, but the resident couldn't do it, so the Dr. came in and did it. Of course when I am lying down I can't see what they are doing. I was again fine for the weekend, but again on Monday morning I was very weak again and realized he had probably injected cortisone again. I figure,d since the resident started it, apparently their routine is to inject cortisone following an aspiration, so after the Dr. successfully removed the fluid, he saw the other syringe and per routine, injected it. I thought again by Friday I will be OK again, but this time the damage was permanent. So now I am fighting to stay out of wheelchair as even the Doctors at Mayo told me I can get worse but never better. So the lesson is......don't assume a doctor remembers every detail about every patient ....or even thinks you are someone else.. Several yrs ago I made an appt with another doctor in a totally different field. I had only seen him several times previously. Looking a "my" chart", he started asking me about some medications and I had no idea what he was talking about. Finally he asked my name and then he realized he had someone else's chart! So......if you have thoughts or ideas that any doctor or other professional may be thinking you are someone else, even though you both may be embarrassed ........ASK. They probably won't thank you verbally but I'm sure they will at least think about it later and be grateful for your questioning....even if they were correct in the first place. In your case, maybe he had the right person in mind, but had not updated himself with YOUR records. It doesn't cost anything to ask and it may save........who knows what!

Jump to this post

@marield65
Politics have not been in posts that Im aware of. As human beings with bone, joint and muscle problems

we are more than just our physical problem. We have likes, dislikes, concerns, pain, and belief which make us who we are. We are all beautiful in our own unique way. I for one am delighted,for those that post, that they can be themselves as they post their situations and how they chose to deal with life.

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 21, 2017

@marield65. I didn't want your post to go unaddressed by me, so this is my response. I agree with you that in general talking about religion and/or politics can cause hard feelings. I am an atheist so any talk of religious beliefs is beyond me. Since being an atheist puts me in a minority, I have learned to not take talk of god or other deities personally. I recognize that belief in a higher power helps many people feel unconditionally loved which helps them recover. No one should ever feel put down because of their belief system.

I just don't want a discussion generally centered on religion, such as this post I am writing now. LOL Talk about politics is totally out of bounds I think, especially now. It's not relevant to illness or recovery, in my opinion. I encourage everyone to do whatever works for them in their recovery and lives. "Different strokes for different folks." is my moto. That's it for me, now back to feeling better and discussing what heps and/doesn't. Gail B Ledesma

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailb "@marield65. I didn't want your post to go unaddressed by me, so this is my response...." + (show)
@gailb

@marield65. I didn't want your post to go unaddressed by me, so this is my response. I agree with you that in general talking about religion and/or politics can cause hard feelings. I am an atheist so any talk of religious beliefs is beyond me. Since being an atheist puts me in a minority, I have learned to not take talk of god or other deities personally. I recognize that belief in a higher power helps many people feel unconditionally loved which helps them recover. No one should ever feel put down because of their belief system.

I just don't want a discussion generally centered on religion, such as this post I am writing now. LOL Talk about politics is totally out of bounds I think, especially now. It's not relevant to illness or recovery, in my opinion. I encourage everyone to do whatever works for them in their recovery and lives. "Different strokes for different folks." is my moto. That's it for me, now back to feeling better and discussing what heps and/doesn't. Gail B Ledesma

Jump to this post

Thanks for your thoughts Gail. Reminds me of Toastmasters - speeches, table topics, etc - no sex, religion or politics. Civility and respect should always be present. We are all here to help each other with our respective health issues. On that note, if you feel you want to share some beliefs/thoughts between yourself and another Connect member - it's easy and OK to do. Just click on their @name and then click the Send Private Message link under their profile.
REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailfaith "@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that..." + (show)
@gailfaith

@gailb, gailfaith here. I think we almost put too much faith in busy doctors, not that that is an excuse. But I am now disabled due to a Dr.'s mistake but I don't blame him completely. Several years ago before I had one of my knees replaced, the Dr was giving me cortisone and Synvisc to hold off on the replacement as long as possible. One Friday he had injected such and I was fine for the weekend but woke up Monday morning very weak. I basically did nothing much physically except sit and read and by Friday I was back to my "normal." The next time I met with him I mentioned it and he said we'll never give you another big dose of cortisone again. Two years later I had my other knee replaced and at a post surgery follow-up, he had to aspirate the joint to remove fluid. He left that job for his resident to do, but the resident couldn't do it, so the Dr. came in and did it. Of course when I am lying down I can't see what they are doing. I was again fine for the weekend, but again on Monday morning I was very weak again and realized he had probably injected cortisone again. I figure,d since the resident started it, apparently their routine is to inject cortisone following an aspiration, so after the Dr. successfully removed the fluid, he saw the other syringe and per routine, injected it. I thought again by Friday I will be OK again, but this time the damage was permanent. So now I am fighting to stay out of wheelchair as even the Doctors at Mayo told me I can get worse but never better. So the lesson is......don't assume a doctor remembers every detail about every patient ....or even thinks you are someone else.. Several yrs ago I made an appt with another doctor in a totally different field. I had only seen him several times previously. Looking a "my" chart", he started asking me about some medications and I had no idea what he was talking about. Finally he asked my name and then he realized he had someone else's chart! So......if you have thoughts or ideas that any doctor or other professional may be thinking you are someone else, even though you both may be embarrassed ........ASK. They probably won't thank you verbally but I'm sure they will at least think about it later and be grateful for your questioning....even if they were correct in the first place. In your case, maybe he had the right person in mind, but had not updated himself with YOUR records. It doesn't cost anything to ask and it may save........who knows what!

Jump to this post

@gailfaith, @marield65, before I retired I was a Human Resources executive in hospitals for 7 years. During that time I learned a great deal about healthcare problems experienced by patients, doctors, and hospitals.

One big problem is when patients who have a problem due to a treatment provided by a physician, don't report it to the hospital ombudsman. This may allow an incompetent physician to continue his/her practice on other people. Just as important, they don't get information that can help the doctor and their team make changes to their processes that will avoid problems in the future. It is always wise to report issues to the hospital. Their reputation rests on excellence, responsiveness, and high quality healthcare teams. We can all assist in assuring that problems are addressed appropriately.

Another issue for physicians and hospitals is the patient who wants to sue for malpractice even though there is no evidence of poor care being given. Our bodies and how we view them are very important. It may be as simple as a patient overhearing a derogatory comment made by a physician, whether about that patient or not, forming in their mind a question about the doctor's competence. Frivolous law suits are difficult to handle and can cost huge amounts of time and money. Real malpractice suits are good for the physician and/or hospital because they can bring to light problems that must be resolved. You always hope to receive patient complaints that are addressed before they reach malpractice suits.

For myself, I report issues so they can be addressed promptly. Each person follows their own course of action in this situation.

Thanks, Gail B Ledesma

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailb "@marield65. I didn't want your post to go unaddressed by me, so this is my response...." + (show)
@gailb

@marield65. I didn't want your post to go unaddressed by me, so this is my response. I agree with you that in general talking about religion and/or politics can cause hard feelings. I am an atheist so any talk of religious beliefs is beyond me. Since being an atheist puts me in a minority, I have learned to not take talk of god or other deities personally. I recognize that belief in a higher power helps many people feel unconditionally loved which helps them recover. No one should ever feel put down because of their belief system.

I just don't want a discussion generally centered on religion, such as this post I am writing now. LOL Talk about politics is totally out of bounds I think, especially now. It's not relevant to illness or recovery, in my opinion. I encourage everyone to do whatever works for them in their recovery and lives. "Different strokes for different folks." is my moto. That's it for me, now back to feeling better and discussing what heps and/doesn't. Gail B Ledesma

Jump to this post

SORRY! I'm not pointing at Gail. I just wanted to let everyone know (like Gail was saying) we are all here to help each other with health issues and it's always a good idea to keep sex, religion and politics out of the discussion because we are such a diverse group and the last thing we want to do is offend anyone and make them feel bad when we are all trying to help.

Wishing you all a Happy and pain free Friday!

John

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 21, 2017

@johnbishop I hope my last post was OK. It's about reporting issues with healthcare to those who can help. I hope it doesn't sound critical or judgemental as I don't mean it to. It's, I hope educational. Let me know. Thanks, Gail B. Ledesma

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 21, 2017
In reply to @gailb "@johnbishop I hope my last post was OK. It's about reporting issues with healthcare to those..." + (show)
@gailb

@johnbishop I hope my last post was OK. It's about reporting issues with healthcare to those who can help. I hope it doesn't sound critical or judgemental as I don't mean it to. It's, I hope educational. Let me know. Thanks, Gail B. Ledesma

Jump to this post

As a patient I thought it was great information. The only time I've ever been in adverse doctor/hospital/insurance relationship is when a doctor in a hospital botched a gall bladder surgery that was supposed to take less than 2 hours. I wife almost bled out on the operating table and the nurse came out after 4 hours and asked if the doctor has "talked" with me yet. 3 days in the hospital, a week plus still with a drain tube in her at home, followed by a consult with the top Mayo doctor doing gall bladder surgeries. Insurance paid for her to have a followup at Mayo. A team of doctors came into the room to talk to us and the first thing they asked was "what did the other doctor tell you?". I said he told us he nicked a blood vessel during the surgery. She had a follow up surgery at Methodist by the Mayo surgeon who fixed the problem and while I was in the waiting room having coffee my big ears overheard to other guys chatting. One asked the other one - "what's your wife having done?". The answer was they were fixing a botched gall bladder surgery and he said oh really, mine too. Malpractice/lawsuit never came to my mind as I know mistakes can be made. I was just peeved about multiple co-payments for both surgeries but I can rack that up to the insurance company for not letting the surgery be done right when I took her to the emergency room and they wanted to operate right away which would have been done at St. Mary's. Insurance company said we had to go through our network hospital on the other side of town.

But there is a silver lining in every cloud - my wife lost over 100 pounds because she couldn't eat or didn't feel like it for over a couple of months and once she lost the weight she liked how she felt and has been in control. She even inspired me to eat a little healthier although she does love chocolate.

Cheers!
John

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