Happy New Year…and thank you!

Happy New Year…and thank you!

Posted on by Louise
I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has emailed me and messaged me kind words about my blog this year, there's been so many lovely emails and I feel overwhelmed. It is really appreciated and it makes me feel so happy that people are actually reading my blog and it's helping people. I also want to apologise if there is anyone who has emailed me over the last 12 months and I haven't replied to...Read More

Happy New Year – 2014!

Posted on by Louise
A bit late now I guess but Happy New Year! I wanted to write a bit of an update on me and how my back is doing now I'm 3 1/2 years post op. Flexibility wise my back is the best it's been since surgery and bending to pick things up off the floor, rolling over in bed and things like that no longer seem to be an issue for me, which if you'd told me that at around 3 months post...Read More

3 years post op!

Posted on by Louise
Today I am three years post op from my scoliosis surgery and I really can't believe how fast that time has gone. So much has changed in the last three years and I've come so far, I am now very busy studying an MSc course whilst working full time - hence why I havent updated my blog for a while! I've been so busy getting an assignment done this month that I almost forgot that it was my three year...Read More

2012

Posted on by Louise
So it's nearly the end of another year and it's got me thinking about how good of a year it's been for my back and all the things I've managed to do. At the start of the year I was still doing physio, my back still felt weak and stiff and I was scared of doing things which might cause damage. As the year progressed, I found myself gaining more strength and more confidence to push myself as I began...Read More

2 year post op checkup

Posted on by Louise
Today I had my 2 year post op checkup.  After scoliosis surgery you generally get seen for a checkup after 3 months, after 6 months, after 1 year and after 2 years, so this was my final post surgery checkup (hooray!)  Like last year, it was very weird going back to the hospital I had my surgery at, it's easy to forget what you went through sometimes but going back there again and walking past the ward I was on...Read More

A Sad Post…

Posted on by Louise
This weekend I received some very sad and shocking news. I'm a member of a scoliosis support group and I found out that one of the staff members Vicki, who was a truly inspirational person and good friend to many on the site, sadly passed away aged just 28. This was a huge shock to all members of the site including myself and I'm very upset by this devastating news. I can't get over the unfairness of it all :(...Read More

Holiday – 1 year 7 months post op

Posted on by Louise
I've just got back from my birthday holiday in Marrakech and thought I would update how it was for my back. Holidays are always difficult for people with bad backs, lugging cases about, airport queues, hours on your feet, uncomfortable aeroplane seats, hard hotel beds.. the list goes on!However, this holiday it actually wasn't so bad.Last summer when I was around the one year post op mark I went to Cyprus for two weeks and I found it incredibly difficult. Especially...Read More

Weekend Away

Posted on by Louise
This weekend I went away to York for a few days.It reminded me that I still find travelling/weekend's away a bit of a pain, here's why:-Train Journeys - luckily I wasn't alone but I don't think I could travel on my own with a suitcase on a train. Trains are annoying at the best of times, I could rant all day about them to be honest. I have to reserve a seat really as I can't stand for an entire train...Read More

A Momentous Occasion…1 year 6 months post op

Posted on by Louise
Last night I got into bed but then I realised I needed to turn the light off, so I sat up. Then I realised. I can sit up! I can actually sit straight up from lying down!! Without even thinking about it!! This may not sound like much but for me this is a big deal. I'm now 1 year 6 months post op and it's only really over the past couple of months or so that I'm starting to...Read More

Happy New Year!

Posted on by Louise
So it's an end of another year and a chance to reflect on the past 12 months.This time last year I was still signed off work following my scoliosis surgery, on alot of painkillers and wondering if my life would ever be normal again. Last New Years Eve I stayed in because I couldn't face the large crowds, the pain, the possibility of there being nowhere to sit and not being able to have a drink on my painkillers. This New...Read More

My Weekend in London

Posted on by Louise
Ok so I'm now 1 year and 3 months post scoliosis surgery and I'm (almost!!) back to normal! I really can't believe all the things I can do now, I work full time and study for a Marketing diploma in the evenings as well as doing my exercises. Despite that though, this weekend was a huge milestone for me and a bit of a  challenge!I went to London to visit a friend and it was the first time I have been...Read More

Post Scoliosis Surgery… Physio

Posted on by Louise
I've been having physio ever since my scoliosis surgery just over a year ago but I'm still not 100% there.  My lower back feels very weak and starts to hurt at the end of the day or if I've been standing or sitting for some time, although lying down provides relief.  When I'm at the gym or walking I often feel like holding my lower back for support. My surgeon has said this is normal as I have such a...Read More

Scoliosis Surgery: Now or Never…

Posted on by Louise
This part is all a blur, sometimes I wonder how I got through it at all.I had to be at the hospital at 3pm on the 28th July 2010, that morning I was surprisingly calm and a little excited. I knew it was something I had to deal with and I think after waiting a year I was keen to get it over with and excited to finally deal with it and move on with my life.When we arrived and...Read More
Scoliosis Surgery : A Difficult Decision…

Scoliosis Surgery : A Difficult Decision…

Posted on by Louise
In January 2009 I was referred to a scoliosis surgeon by the spinal specialist that had been monitoring me all these years. He could tell I was confused about what to do and suggested I had a chat with a scoliosis surgeon to see what could be achieved. I was nervous about seeing an actual scoliosis surgeon; it made it all more real. Would I would be told I needed surgery? How would I cope with this?! I went to...Read More

My Scoliosis Journey: A Secret Struggle

Posted on by Louise
After the initial diagnosis of my scoliosis at 14, I was monitored by an orthopaedic specialist over the next few years – thankfully my scoliosis didn’t get any worse. But the psychological damage did. You would be surprised at how much having a twisted back affects your self-esteem, especially as a teenage girl. I felt ugly and deformed; I spent all my time in large, baggy clothes – wearing a size 12 when I was a size 8 to hide my...Read More