The 45 Degree Spine Curve That Hindered Me

         It was first noticed when I had my physical appointment where they check your anatomy. The physician lady then pulled up my shirt and asked for me to arch forward. She observed with her eyes a slight curve within my spine. She told me "The degree of your curve isn't severe, but you should consider seeing an orthopedic doctor". In view of the fact that the curves typically tend to worsen overtime and increase in size. A few months after I went to my physical, I began to experience an excruciating pain in my back. Which I was concerned about to a great extent. When I went to my first doctor's appointment my surgeon Dr. Davido expressed to me that "the curve has increased", which was why I was experiencing the discomfort that I had in my back. He told me "Only consider getting the surgery if the pain is unbearable". In spite of the fact that when the spinal fusion procedure is done it causes a person's balance to be unsteady. Caused by the realigning of the spine.

"File:Blausen 0785 Scoliosis 01.png" by BruceBlaus.

A year after I had my second orthopedic appointment the pain had gotten so severe that I was not able to wear an undergarment since the bra would apply pressure on my spine. I did not want my breast to slump; nor have the bust of an elderly woman. The incapability of myself not being able to wear an undergarment also caused me to have insecurity with my breast. Another disadvantage I faced was not being up to stand up for long periods of time. When I would it would then feel like someone had drilled screws into my back, which led to my back aching. The pain that I was experiencing also took an emotional toll on me. I was depressed, because of the fact that I was not able to wear the clothing that I loved. I wasn't able to have fun with my colleagues and seek adventure. It was difficult for me to stand up at my job at Chick Fil A for several hours; and take customers' orders by their cars. Providing service to customers outside was my favorite thing to do. I had felt that my scoliosis condition was preventing me from experiencing all the enjoyment that life had to offer. It was then that I decided that I couldn’t bear to suffer any longer. So my mom called my orthopedic doctors office on the date of September 3rd; and she communicated to my surgeon Dr.Davido that I was in serious need of surgery. He then gave my mother the date October 26th 2022 at 6:30am.           

On the early morning of my surgery that took place on October 26th, my anxiety was at an all-time high. My heart rate was beating abnormally fast. My right leg was shaking extremely fast. My doctor had given me liquid medication that was purple, to relax my nerves. Within five minutes of ingesting the medication. My mind wasn't going a million miles an hour.  I was not worried about what was about to take place. I was told to sit on a hospital bed by my surgeon Dr Davido. My Mother bent down and gave me a hug, she told me “I love you Chrystal, you are going to alright. Don't worry honey, the surgeons are going to take good care of you. I could see that her pupils were red. She said to me “I'm nervous about your procedure because your surgery will take several hours' '. Tears began to drop down her eyes as they rolled me away into the operating room. Which was small like a weight room in a gym. The anesthesiologist told me “take big deep breaths. After they had placed the laughing gas mask on my face, which released anesthesia into my mouth and nose. The aroma of it was very powerful and overbearing. But it swiftly put me to sleep after a few seconds of inhaling it.

     

When I woke up after my procedure; I recollected the feeling I had in my back of someone squeezing it together with their hands. My vision was extremely blurry to a great extent. I recall my stepdad Martin facetiming my biological father, Christopher while I was laying in the recovery bed. My stepdad Martin said to my father “Chris she is doing alright; she just woke up; she is a little confused right now because the anesthesia is still wearing off”. When I looked at my dad through my stepdad's iPhone 11. I remember being able to see my dad's face. But I was not able to see him very clearly. He told me "I love you; you are going to be okay". My nurse had a catheter attached to me, I felt pressure on my vulva. The pain was caused when my drainage bag would always fill up with my urine. My doctor prescribed me narcotics. It helped reduce the tightness pain I felt within my back. Although the side effects that I had experienced from the medication was nauseousness, loss of appetite. As well as constipation which led to me being bloated. My stomach was so enlarged from the pill that I looked as if I were to be three months into expecting. The pain that I was experiencing when I was discharged home was so intolerable. To the point where I was waking up every hour. My mom and stepdad would have to reposition me and put a few pillows under my feet and arms so that I would be comfortable. They also had to consistently write down the time that I was being given my medication. They were having to give me my narco every three hours. One night the pain was so bad I woke up at three in the morning; called my grandmother. And I communicated to her that I needed prayer because I was feeling extremely nauseous. She told me "In the mighty name of Jesus God will heal you and you will feel better, amen". About twenty-five minutes after she had prayed with me, I had begun to feel better. 

Unfortunately, later that day in the night my constipation worsened so badly that Ibegan to feel pain in my left hip. I was not able to get comfortable. I kept on twisting and turning all throughout the night. I had tried so many different over the counter stool softeners. Such as MiraLAX; as well as magnesium hydroxide. Nothing worked to get my fecal matter moving through my intestines. I even tried drinking warm prune juice, and also eating dried up prunes. So, my last option that I had was to use an enema which greatly helped.  After I had sat while it was within me giving it time to work. Three minutes later I had jumped out of my bed running to the toilet. The next thing I know, I felt a relief from the pressure that I had in my left hip. Because of the fact that my waste  that was built up inside of my large intestines was now moving smoothly through my body organs. After the enema had relieved me. I then began making an effort to sit up for thirty minutes each day. Which was a challenge for me because my back still felt extremely tight to the point where I would have to take deep breaths. While my grandfather would hold my hand which made the pain for myself easier to bear. since it was extremely difficult for me to sit up for 30 minutes each day after my procedure had taken place. A few other limitations I faced after the surgery was that I was not able to lift anything heavier than ten lbs. To add on to that I also was not able to bend down to pick up objects, or twist my back to turn. To strengthen my back I began to do laps around my neighborhood to get my back strong. I had to take deep breaths with each step that I would make forward. Compared to when I would lay down on my side; I would feel the stitches in my back less. Rather than when I would be sitting or standing up, I would feel weak. Within time I began walking a little more each and every day. My back had begun to heal and got stronger. I was then able to wear stylish shirts. Additionally, bras of different designs that served their own purpose. Participating in activities that involve sitting up. For games such as dominos, uno, connect four, and checkers. Standing up at my job for a long duration of time and providing customers with service. Most importantly I was able to sit up at my desk and complete my assignments. My spinal fusion surgery certainly changed my life for the better. Giving me the opportunity to do everything that I desired.

Image Credits

"File:Blausen 0785 Scoliosis 01.png" by BruceBlaus.