My Scoliosis Story ... the beginning

This will be a long post because its my first, and up to now I have been keeping a record of everything on paper. I'm picking and choosing the best bits and putting it on here. I should have really done this the first time round but never mind.

I guess we start when I found out that I had Scoliosis. This was in in 2005 (I think!) My mum had bought me a bikini and I went to try it on. When I showed her she told me to stand up straight - which I thought I was doing! I hadn't noticed before but now that it had been pointed out it did look like I was leaning to one side.

So I went to my local GP who did some poking and prodding. He then referred me to my local NHS Hospital to see a Spine Specialist. The Specialist sent me for some x-rays and explained that I had what is known as Scoliosis. While looking at the x-rays I think he sensed that I was a bit upset, and probably a bit confused so he tried to lighten the mood by telling me the dark spots on my x-rays were farts - and I believed him - much to the amusement of my mum. One word of recommendation for ANY hospital appointments that may require you to strip off: wear sensible pants. I had to bend over for the Doctor in just a pair of tiny green spotted thongs.

This is about where I found out what Scoliosis is, so here you go:

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. In most cases the cause is unknown (Idiopathic) however sometimes it can be a side effect of another Spinal problem (Congenital) such as Spina Bifida. Thankfully I only had Scoliosis. Some people have just the one curve, but this curve can get so bad that the spine tries to correct itself which creates a double curve in an S shape. This is the sort of curve I had, however the 2nd curve was much less noticeable and would probably be fine once the major curve had been sorted. Scoliosis can cause your internal organs to get a bit squashed – especially the lungs. That was my excuse for not exercising ... I didn’t have the lung capacity!

The main problem I had with Scoliosis was the appearance of it. Being a young girl surrounded by ‘perfect’ body images in the media, I did get a bit self conscious. The only time I really experienced bad pain though is when I got cold and my body tensed up. I did think it was pretty cool that when I sat down my ribs neatly tucked in my hips on one side though.

The Docotor at the Hospital referred me to a specialist in Leeds, at St. Jimmys Hospital. At this appointment at the end of 2006 (which turned into a family day out, with my mum, dad and granny) I just had some more x-rays and the professor said that surgery was an option. He sent me away to think about it as obviously it would be a major decision.

So I went away and I thought about it, and I decided Surgery was in my future. It scared me but I know that the thought of being a hunchback in years to come and being in pain all the time, scared me a hell of a lot more.

I didnt hear anything from the hospital for months, and when I phoned up they just told me to keep waiting. This went on for over a year which was very frustrating. I eventually got into contact with my local MP - after getting nowhere with the hospital - who got into contact with Leeds. Not long after, they invited me for an appointment (in 2008 - it was a huge waiting game)) with a new surgeon. Apparantly the one I had seen before had retired! (Nice of them to let me know...) My new appointment was at Leeds General Infirmary, because St. Jimmys specialised in Children, and I was no longer seen as a child - and was with a man named Dr. Abhay Rao. Again I had x rays, and it was evident that my curve had worsened.

I was put onto the list for surgery.
AAARGH!!