Surgery As Soon as 3 Weeks! WHAAAT!?!

Today's appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester went very well!  They were actually ahead of schedule with both x-rays and appointment with the doctor so we were out of there before 2:20, which is when my appointment with Dr. MacIntosh was supposed to start!  

The news is, my degrees haven't changed any in the past 7 months, which is good!  But unfortunately, I will still be having surgery.  To make this clear, I will have surgery now by choice, but there are reasons why I'm going to have it now, even though it's optional.  Dr. MacIntosh told me that my curves would continue to slowly increase for the rest of my life, by approximately 1/2 a degree each year.  That means in 20 years both my thoracic curve and lumbar curve would increase greatly, making surgery necessary then.  20 years from now, yes the medical technology might be more advanced, it might also not be.  What is guaranteed is that recovery will be a hell of a lot easier now, since I am young and healthy.  Yes, if I get surgery now I might need another in the far future, but I'm much better off doing the major surgery now at 17 rather than in my 40's.  

We were going to make the appointment for surgery today, but after talking with the doctor and asking all our questions my parents and I both were a little overwhelmed with all the information so we will call on Monday or sometime next week to set up the surgery.  Unfortunately, Dr. MacIntosh only has two openings in June left.  Those would be the 16th and the 30th.  It would be my preference to have it done on the 16th but we will just have to see how everything plays out.  She said she's open almost all of July and August, I definitely want mine done in June though!

One thing I really like about Dr. MacIntosh is that if she schedules a surgery for one day, she will devote that entire day to that surgery and no other appointments, which would explain the wait for surgery and to get appointments with her!  She is truly the most amazing doctor I've ever met!  She never rushes appointments, she sits with you answering as many questions as you might have, she'll personally go get you information pamphlets, or in my case today and model of the spine with rods and screws in it, like what they use in the actual surgery!!

I'm very nervous thinking about how real all this is now!!  Surgery in three weeks isn't that long and I'm sure the time will fly!  Just standing there getting x-rays today I started shaking like a leaf and couldn't control myself.  My nerves just took over!! It makes me worry I'll be a complete mess when the actual surgery comes!  I'm ready to call Dr. MacIntosh's assistant now and set up that surgery so at least we get the date I want!  I'll just have to wait until Monday though! Keeping my fingers crossed for the 16th to still be open when we call!  Until then! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Can you say nervous!?!?

Tomorrow is my appointment in Rochester for x-rays and meeting with my surgeon! Needless to say I'm a little nervous! I'm used to getting x-rays here in town before going to Mayo Clinic. Then I know what my current degrees are before going to meet with my specialist/surgeon. This appointment I have no idea what my progress is now so I have no idea what to expect going up there tomorrow.

My dad and twin brother are also coming with. It will be nice having Jeff there. He's a really supportive brother and I love that about him! I'm a little worried about my dad meeting Dr. MacIntosh though. He's never met her and I really hope he likes her. It's rare for me to enjoy going to see a doctor, but I feel like I just clicked with Dr. MacIntosh. I want my dad to like her too, especially if she does my surgery. Speaking of which we will set up my surgery tomorrow so I'm pretty nervous about that. I hope we can schedule it as soon as possible so that I won't have a lot of time to worry about it in between this appointment and the surgery.  I will make sure to update you guys after my appointment tomorrow!  I want to thank all of you who have contacted me and wished me the best!  My email is laura_dobrzynski11@yahoo.com if anyone has questions, comments, etc.  I appreciate all of you followers and your prayers!  Until tomorrow! 

The Countdown Begins!

Only two weeks left until my appointment for x-rays with my surgeon!  Time is flying by and I don't know how to feel about it!  This past week has been a real wake up call for me.  My twin brother broke his wrist at baseball practice and had to have surgery.  Seeing him after surgery while he was waking up from the anesthesia made me imagine myself in his place, which I will be when I have surgery.  The thought of having needles in my arm, feeling groggy, tired, and weak make me a little weak in the knees!  My brother is very tough, and I'm pretty sure he can handle anything life throws at him.  I, on the other hand, am a big baby and I'm okay with admitting that. I have a very, very small threshold for pain and a phobia of needles.  

I know as my appointment gets closer nights are become much more difficult.  I'm quick to stress and worry which makes this that much harder! This isn't even the surgery! I don't even want to think of what that will feel like...  I have a great support team, as does my brother right now during his recovery, but regardless my nerves are starting to set in.  I'm hoping the appointment goes smoothly and maybe we won't even have to schedule a surgery, but I really think the chance of that happening is very slim.  Maybe it's just my nerves kicking in but I really feel like my curves have progressed. I can't wait to find out if they have! Maybe I'll turn this into a guessing game with my friends and see who's guess is closer! Anyone interested in this possible contest should comment!!  In September of 2009 my thoracic curve was 30.6 and my lumbar was 36.9.  In October of 2010 my thoracic changed to 31 (big progression right?!) and my lumbar went to a whopping 45 degrees.  Let's make some fun out of my sucky situations! Anyone have any guesses what it might be now?!

"No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent"

I have dedicated this blog to posts solely about my scoliosis.  I haven't had a post in a while and some reoccurring events have led me to this point.  Although, indirectly related to my scoliosis, this is important nonetheless.  I am short.  I'm 17 and only 4'11".  Yes, part of my lack of height is due to my very curved spine, but I also have short parents.  

For some reason, people seem to think this means I am a weak person and they can take advantage of me in whatever way they see fit.  To this I strike back. I may be short but don't think you can pick fun or get what you want just because you are superior to me height-wise.  If you really think you're that much better than people that you have to physically assert yourself over others, you obviously aren't better.  Everyone deserves respect, regardless of their size, shape, color, etc.  

This post is dedicated to everyone who isn't getting the respect they deserve.  It's time to stand up for yourself.  I certainly have, and yes I've been called out for it.  Regardless, it was worth it.  If people can't respect you for who you are and what you bring to the table don't waste your time on them!  They don't deserve to be in your life!  If people truly care for you, it will show.  "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."