A Very Important Date..

The 8th of April. 38 days away, 2 weeks before the school holidays, and and a week before our school cross country.. the one thing I was looking forward to most.
The 8th of April is also the first day of my new life and a new back. Coming home from holiday last week I found a letter from the hospital, telling me that the date they have booked me in for my surgery is the 8th of April. I got a bit of a shock when I first found out, as I thought it would take longer to get a date, and for the first time, the fact that I was getting major SURGERY seemed real.
It took a day or two, but I soon got over the shock and became very excited. I think the next 38 days will go slower than the rest of the year, although they might also fly by once I wtart preparing!! I don't think I will know myself at all after this is all out of the way-Less pain, more breath, less hump, less appointments, even hips, fitting clothes, being able to stand and walk for longer, there are so many benefits that I never thought I would probably get again.
My back is more sore every day, and most of the time is the most painful when I'm not doing much at all, because it gets more stiff. If anyone has any tips on things to bring to the hospital, surgery/recovery tips, or just info you think is handy, please comment!! I think the date for my surgery is fantastic, it is two weeks of school off before the holidays, then two weeks of holidays, then I will possibly start part time after that, so it could not have worked out better :D

All in all, very exciting news, and only 38 days to go!!!!

Another step in the right direction..

Hello again!! Well A LOT has happened since last posting! I have now had blood tests, where not one but SIX tubes were taken!! I think i handled the whole thing pretty well, I didn't flinch, and it truly was not as bad as I had thought it would be, so I was proud :) Those were sent away and to my knowledge have come back clear as they haven't mentioned them again and have proceeded to book the next step to Surgery- An MRI. An MRI is a scan that happens in a long tube with loud noises, and big magnets. The scan itself took just over an hour, although it seemed to only last around 40 minutes. It wasn't painful, or the worst thing I've ever done, but I don't mind if I never have to do that again!! The table was a bit hard, so my shoulder and ribs were sticking out in all angles so I definitely was not comfortable, and that made my neck pretty sore, as well as the loud and continuous bleeping giving me a lasting headache. I wasn't claustrophobic at all, they do it really well. It's light and open, you have a panic button and can press it if you have questions or want to stop or get out. I did use it once actually, as i could feel the left side of my left hand going numb, and a little bit of pain down that arm. I wiggled it around for a few minutes while they paused the scan and eventually it came right so away I went, and the rest went smoothly. They give you headphones so I could listen to my favourite radio station in between the music being drowned out by the noise. I came out tired and a bit stiff, but overall it went really well. I can't wait for the next step to get underway, as everything seems to be getting a bit closer... YAY! Lately I have begun to get a few pain spasms around my shoulders, neck and upper spine, but not so much that it is even really annoying at all. People have been really supportive so far, and it's great to hear that it  isn't noticeable to them. :) So, I guess I'll write again soon.