ysabeau

I was. I remember being around 10 years old, and some boys at my school would throw rocks at me because I "couldn't feel it" through my brace. I had one classmate say to me, "at least I can stand up straight." That kind of stuff. Wearing clothes over a back brace was humiliating for me. It was very uncomfortable, you could sometimes see it through my clothes, and of course anything that's strapped to you for 22 hours a day will make you sweat quite a bit, so it just felt awful to be "trapped" in this thing. It's basically a warm up to the spinal fusion since the brace also limits your movements. I have not been called ScolioSister yet! I am called wolverette and bionic woman though ;) Thank you for the question.

You,re not the first person to say that. I had another AMA and someone said the same thing...

I do still have pain in the form of tightness and stiffness. I can constantly feel the rods in my back. It's a pulling kind of feeling, but you get used to it. What sucks is getting muscle spasms. They can be incapacitating. I am sorry to hear about your cousins pain. The truth is that think this is normal. I think pain will always be a part of life after a fusion. It's not a natural thing. Does your cousin exercise?

The realization that I will never be able to bend my back again, and that I have forgotten how it feels. I really took it for granted before my surgery. Freedom of movement is such a gift. Being restricted by two titanium poles is a big change to your body and can be tough to deal with sometimes. So, I would highly encourage anyone who has had a spinal fusion to keep MOVING. Yoga and Pilates is an excellent way to improve your flexibility and strength. Otherwise, it can feel like you are living in an 85 year olds body.

One of the perks of the surgery... impeccable posture.

The scabs falling off made me SO happy because they were incredibly itchy! And, Of course I have thought SO many times about getting a zipper tattoo! Or just a tattoo down my back...something symbolic of the spine and the rods, but I'll never do it. I appreciate tattoos but I would never want one.