Hi all. My name is Laura, I'm 52 years old, married with two grown sons. I started having spinal issues in 2001 when I had a cervical fusion. Since then I have had 8 back surgeries with numbers 6 & 7 creating problems. I have adult onset scoliosis due in part to my last two surgeries which my surgeon tells me were BAD!!! My curve was 49 degrees and I was in pain constantly and couldn't walk more than a short way before I had to stop. I was crooked and people, I kid you not, would go out of their way to give me a seat or let me cut in line because I looked so pitiful. And I was.

Anyway, I decided I was going to have corrective surgery in November, 2016. I reached out to others that had it, researched it and my doctor, talked it over with my family and made the committment because I was staring at a bleak future if I did nothing. I was scared and had anxieety about the surgery but mostly I worried about recovery and what my life would be like after. I made sure I knew and trusted my surgeon and after two 10 hour surgeries and 5 days in the hospital I went  home to recover. I was lucky to have a great support network that kept me in line during my recovery. I felt so good it was hard to sit still. My doctor actually yelled at me and had me in tears because I was doing too much and two of my screws were coming loose. I'm grateful to say that my last appointment, 10 months postop went great and I have been released to resume normal activity(whatever that is) slowly. 

After so many years of constant, severe pain it is good to be back living life. My curve is now only 11 degrees and sometimes I hurt but I am glad I had the surgery. I had a top notch surgeon and she has a top notch staff plus I had the love and support of my family. Although I am better I remember the pain and frustration from not being able to do anything all too well. I feel for each and every one of you. I know surgery isn't for everyone but it worked for me. If I can help anyone with anything in the group just reach out. I wish us all good health.