Once I came home from school yesterday, I greeted my mom as I walked in the front door. She replied with, "Someone from Mayo called, you need to call them back." I turned to my friend in confusion. Why would they need ME to call them, usually my mom handled the phone calls. Feeling very anxious about what they could be calling me for, I picked up the phone and dialed the number my mom wrote down. I found out right away it was the orthopedic surgeon line, but I was put on hold for a very long time. So long that I think they had forgotten about me. I stayed on the line and grabbed my cell phone and called the same number and got through right away. So much for waiting 20 minutes!
It was a mandatory phone call, reminding me of my upcoming surgery the 29th. Reminding me I had to be there the 28th for blood tests, urine tests, MRIs, x-rays, meeting with the surgeon, etc, etc. Here came the unexpected news: I had to be there the 27th to meet with yet another doctor. This one being a specialist on the spinal cord. He will be assisting during the surgery. I assume because of the myelomalacia on my spinal cord, which they found in July when I was first scheduled to have surgery.
My biggest fear is that the myelomalacia has gotten worse, or that it will prevent me from being able to have surgery to correct my scoliosis, a second time. Having it cancelled the first time was a similar feeling to having Christmas cancelled. I can't put the dissapointment, sadness, and fear into words that anyone will understand.
Next week I meet with my principal and counselor to figure out what we'll do my second semester of my senior year if I have surgery and have to miss a month or more of school. Being a senior in high school, my biggest goal right now is to graduate. Which is the main reason we were going to have surgery in the summer: so I wouldn't miss school, and it wouldn't interfere with anything important.
I'm praying for the best for myself. I have a great support team, and I have something that not many others can say they have. My best friend is having surgery on her nose 10 days before my surgery to correct her deviated septum. We both support each other, share our concerns and our hopes. Best friends do everything together: even have surgery. Along with my best friend, her family has been great support, so has my boyfriend and his family, and even greater my own family. Whatever happens, I do know I'll have lots of people if I need anything.
