After being diagnosed with Scoliosis at a
very young age I have endured and embraced all the
challenges that comes with it.
Undergoing multiple Scoliosis surgeries, most recently October
2009, has not discouraged me at all. Although it is not always
easy to cope, I was determined not to let Scoliosis affect
me or how I was going to live my life. My passion for Scoliosis
Awareness started after I spoke about my disorder in a high
school English class. My drive and ambition for Scoliosis
Awareness is only fueled by my set backs and additional
surgeries.
I was officially diagnosed with severe Adolescent Idiopathic
Scoliosis (S curve) and Kyphosis at age 11. Over the many years
of trying to fight my way through scoliosis surgeries, I began
on a path of accepting it. I remember the night my Scoliosis was
confirmed; I cried myself to sleep. I didn’t want to be
different. I just wanted to be normal. I didn’t want a twisted
spine; I didn’t want a brace. I just prayed, prayed and prayed
it was mistake. But it wasn’t. I had Scoliosis…
I was scared. I didn’t know what was going on or what this
new disorder would bring into my life. I was young and didn’t
have any interest in figuring out what exactly was wrong with
me. I kind of just put it in the back of my mind and
forgot all about it until my mother made an appointment with the
doctor where they did the standard Scoliosis Screening Test. I
started treatment in San Diego, California at USNMC Balboa. I
wore a TLSO (Boston Brace) for 23 hours a day. I could only take
it off for middle school gym class. I felt I could hide my
biggest flaw 95% of the time but there is no hiding the giant
plastic corset when your changing into sweats. To add to my
distress, I had to bring my brace to the office because it did
not fit into my locker. Of course everything seems like the end
of the world at age 11. Wearing the brace was terrible, but I
would wear it forever if it meant I would never have to have
surgery. But that was not in the cards for me.
After wearing the brace religiously for a year my curve was
still progressing. I was very scared when they sent me to have a
MRI and a CT Scan. There was no way around it, I needed surgery.
My spine was so twisted and bent it was crushing my lungs,
making it hard to breathe and inching closer to twisting around
my heart. My first fusion surgery, with Harrington
rods occurred in December 2000. I was in the hospital’s ICU for
2 days and then moved to the regular ward for 4 days. The
surgery was deemed as a success. My spine was good for the first
few years then I had increased pain which led me back to the
doctors. It was discovered that I had pseudarthosis in my spine
and my spine was not fully fused. In 2005, I had my second
surgery where my rods were removed, but they did not replace my
rods right away hoping that the half of my spine that was fused
would hold the curve and I would not need a second surgery.
However, six months later my curves were getting worse and we
planned my third surgery. I was placed in traction and a halo
for a week to “stretch" me. My rods were replaced and screws
added while also preforming a spine lateral release. I
gained 3 inches in height, and my Kyphosis was almost
unnoticeable. I had never seen my spine that straight.
In 2008 my spine was “falling forward” and I had increased pain
therefore my rods were removed and it was discovered that
infection of Osteomyelitis was present. I was given a PIC line
for another year, and braced with a TSLO Brace. In 2009, I had
my last surgery at USCD by Thornton. He did the first surgery to
make sure no infection was present. Then the next surgery was to
replace my rods. I am now fully fused from T3-L3 and nearly two
years post opt. Throughout my twisted journey, I battled not
only medical difficulties but myself. There was a time in my
life when I was not the positive, upbeat Curvy Girl I am today.
But through time and healing I have found that I’m so much more
then a curved spine.
If you have scoliosis, or your child has Scoliosis do not fear,
you're not alone. About 3 out of every 100 people have some form
of scoliosis, though for many people it's not much of a problem.
I wanted to be a part of Curvy Girls because I believe it's my
personal mission to spread awareness about Scoliosis
and provide a message of empowerment to all those effected by
this disorder just like Leah!
Beside Scoliosis Awareness I collect Disney Pins, I’m addicted
to anything to do with Disneyland or Walt Disney. I also enjoy
reading, there is nothing better then a good story. My
favorite book is the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
I enjoy Pilates; it has really helped me work my “core” and has
helped my back pain.
