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My journey with a T11 to L4 spinal fusion - 40 degree scoliosis curve
Hi, I am scheduled for an L4 to T11 spinal fusion for my 40 degree scoliosis curve on December 11 2024.
Looking for feedback or advice for recovery from anyone who has had a similar surgery!!
I very active, with an “almost” teenager, and I ride horses.
Thank you!!
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@sherrym25 I uses automatic kibble feeders, and 4 gallon water coolers for my cats. That's a lot more capacity than usually needed, and it gives a long window when that doesn't need attention. I have 2 sets, so I can separate cats that may not be good together if I'm away. I've been able to leave them when I'm away on short trips. This way, I can focus of giving them wet food once a day, and they are not waking me up early to be fed. I'm glad you have family to help especially with the horses as they are a lot of physical work in feeding and cleaning.
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1 ReactionI’m 78 with a 52 degree curvature, still functional but the future scares me. I’ve been doing at home PT for years to try to prevent further curvature.
Wish you well.
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1 ReactionHi -
It sounds like the PT is preventing further curvature? Would you mind sharing your exercises? I’m at at 30 to 35% curve. Would love for it to not get worse.
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1 Reaction@kre22 I am very active with horses and other animals in a ranch, along with regular exercise, and my pain is getting worse. My surgeon told me that with age, and gravity, my curve will get worse as time goes by, as will my pain. I can’t live with a future that has me wanting to find some relief by sitting in the recliner even more than I do now.
Does your doctor monitor your curve with routine X-rays?
Wishing you all the best.
@jenniferhunter funny you should mention the auto feeders! Last week I made 3 separate auto feeders for my chickens out of 5 gallon buckets with a hole in the side, and inserted a special hood, that allows the chickens to put their heads inside the bucket and eat. They work amazing and I haven’t had to feed all week!
As for the dogs, I have a four month old Queensland healer pup, and she is voracious about food so I would never be able to free feed her.
That being said, every day I am working on my dwindling list of things to do around the property to make things easier for my family to take care of things. Also, it will help to keep me from going crazy knowing that something needs to get done and that there’s no way I will be able to do it.
My carry-on bag is slowly getting filled…..my phone appointment with the anesthesiologist is next Tuesday…and time is flying by.
Oh, and my daughter and I have been decorating the Christmas tree and the house so it will all be done when I return from surgery. I also realized, thank goodness not too late, that I needed to get presents purchased and wrapped, stocking stuffer materials, etc. That was a last-minute save for me🤣
I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving 😊
@vikkitennis I love that the Mayo Clinic uses a team approach of an orthopedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon! It gives me a lot of comfort knowing that both aspects of my spine are being addressed during surgery.
I wonder if your surgeons will want to fuse more vertebrae in the future to stop the curve progression. Even as active as I am, my surgeon said age and gravity will make my curve worsen as time goes by.
Happy Thanksgiving!