Where I'm at now..

Over the past year, I have been introduced to strengthening pain in several places around my spine, uneven hips, ribcage and shoulders, rib humps, the occasional strange look from a classmate, decreased lung capacity during sport, and the daily struggle to find a comfortable position to sleep. These things are pretty familiar for kids and adults alike with scoliosis, but they are invisible to others. To have all of this support from scoliosis sufferers on internet forums has proved invaluable. So, if you have come across my blog with scoliosis, don't be afraid to get in touch with me and i'll send you some amazing links that have been so helpful over the past year :)

The first two appointments I have been to, only my lumbar curve has been measured. The first time it was at 42degrees, and at the second, the lumbar was at around 45degrees. The registrar I'd had told us that the thoracic curve was less, and "nothing to worry about." The third appointment, I had a new registrar. He measured only the thoracic curve. Well, it was at 50degrees. He compared it to my x-ray from May, and the measurement then was at 47degrees, which was higher than the lumbar curve a registrar had orginally measured. Now I do have some doubts about trusting the registrars, and I would prefer to be seen by my surgeon himself. This is also because at my latest appointment I was told by my registrar that it's probably not going to increase as it has moved only three degrees, so surgery isn't valid at this point. My surgeon then came in. He said yes, there has been some movement, and cautiously suggested that surgery was becoming an option if we should choose to do it.

If you don't have scoliosis, let me explain about what the number of degrees means. Under 10 degrees is medically classed as a natural curve of the spine, and is not classed as scoliosis. Before a growth spurt, anywhere between 10-40 degrees is likely to increase, so a child is generally braced. If you have passed adolescence, 10-40degrees is generally not to worry about, and not likely to increase. 40-50degree curves are in the "Grey Area", where bracing won't help, and the curve could go either way(Increase or stay the same). Over 50 degrees is considered severe as it is likely to increase even into adulthood, on an average of a degree a year. A curve over 50 degrees is considered serious enough to warrant surgery. Any curve over 100 degrees is considered life threatening, crushing vital organs like the heart or lungs.

 So, my curve of 50 degrees, now warrants surgery, and was recommended by my surgeon. After the appointment we were seen by a lady who works with kids who are considering the surgery. She gave us a book explaining everything from what is scoliosis, to the full hospital stay for the surgery, to the end of the recovery period. Because I was about to start my first ever major school exams, she told me to read over the book, get my exams over, and then make a decision. After meeting with a great girl who'd also had the surgery at the same hospital, I decided to accept my surgeon's offer, and go through with the surgery.