Post-surgery!

I’m back! It’s been a week and 2 days till I had surgery. It’s taken me such a long time to post because I have been so tired and it takes a lot of energy for me to focus! But here’s the basic run down of what’s been happening: the day of surgery we got to the hospital at 6 am for my 8:15 am surgery. The surgery lasted 10 HOURS!!!  Yes this is not a typo 10 hours. The doctor said it took longer because I had so much muscle!

After surgery my parents and sister were able to come in and see me. They said my face and lips were so swollen it was crazy, but the doctors said that’s normal and by the next day my lips and face were back to normal. I spent the first night in the ICU before I moved to a normal recovery room. This was standard for a surgery to this extent so they can keep a closer eye on me. My mom stayed with me the first night which was nice even though I was pretty out of it. The next day I moved out of the ICU and to a normal recovery room. I stayed there until Monday when I was discharged.

The first day post-surgery, I worked with the physical therapist and an occupational therapist to work on getting up and moving. That first day, I was able to stand! And on the second day post-surgery I was able to walk around the hospital with a walker! By the time I was discharged I was able to walk around without a walker and walk up and down stairs!

The last day I was at the hospital, I was fitted and given my brace. They weren't expecting for me to wear a brace but, because my muscle was so thick and I’m at a certain age, the doctor thought it would be best to have me wear a brace. I was not too excited about the idea but now that I have it I’m glad because it definitely helps a lot.

Tomorrow!

Surgery tomorrow! I can’t believe that it’s already here! My mom or sister will probably be updating my blog and Facebook for me tomorrow! Thanks to everyone who have been so supportive and given me words of encouragement. It means the world that I have such great support system! Next time I will post I’ll be straight!! :)

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."- Exodus 14:14

WE SUPPORT SAM AND SCOLIOSIS AWARENESS!!!

Pre-op

Hey everyone

So I’m not really good at updating this blog but on Thursday I had my pre-op appointment. We were there from 9 to 2. It was definitely long and very tiring. But I was able to get a lot of information about the surgery. They told me the usual things I need to do before surgery such as I can’t eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, I can’t take certain medication a week before surgery, and I have to show up two hours before surgery. They had to take a lot of x-rays of my back they took a normal x-ray then some interesting on that would help them measure the flexibility of my spine. They did a traction x-ray where they stretched out my torso. My spine went from an 81 degree to a 39 degree which was really crazy to hear. The doctor was extremely happy to hear that my spine moved that much because that means it’s really flexible. We were able to ask all of our questions about what’s going on during surgery and after surgery when I’m in the hospital for a few days which was really helpful and I think it made my parents feel more at easy. J Well that’s all for now.

I’m pressed but not crushed

Persecuted but not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

And I am blessed beyond the curse

For his promise will endure

That his joy is going to be my strength

-2 Corinthians 4:8

First Post!

Hey everybody!

This is my first post ever! So I decided to start this blog to keep family and friends updated on my upcoming surgery but, for those of you who don’t know me let me explain. I have been diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. Being a competitive gymnast, it has been a tough decision to stop competing and undergo scoliosis surgery. For those of you who do not know what scoliosis is, it is where your spine curves from side to side, so instead of having a straight spine like the average person, my spine is curved. There are two types of curves a “C” curve which has one curve in the spine and looks like a “C” hence why it’s called a “C” curve. The other type is an “S” curve which has two curves in the spine and looks like an “S” hence the reason it is called an “S” curve. I have an “S” curve. My curves are mainly thoracic meaning it is in the middle of my back. In the summer my curves were measured at 77 degrees and 59 degrees.

So one of the biggest reasons outsiders ask is why would it be so tough to undergo surgery. This is why:

I started taking mommy and me gymnastics classes when I was two years old. Ever since then gymnastics has been my passion in life. I practice 5 days a week for 4 hours a day. If you know any competitive gymnast out there, you probably know it is their life as it has been mine for the past 18 years. During the 8 years leading up to college, I was part of a club gym where I spent most of my time with my teammates and my amazing coach. During junior year in HS, I made a verbal commitment to a college where I would be able to compete gymnastics. This was my biggest dream in life and was blessed I was given the opportunity. Even though I was unable to compete all four years in college, I am so thankful for the opportunity I was given. There is no greater feeling than being part of a team who supports you through thick and thin. I am so lucky that I am able to continue working with this amazing team. Over these past three years, these girls have become family to me and I am so appreciative of them.

Now that I am 20 years old, I have officially retired from the only thing I have ever known. This blog will follow me through this new adventures in life where I will being undergoing surgery and redirecting my passion in life whether it is coaching gymnastics, learning new hobbies, or just figuring out what lies ahead.

There are far, far better thing ahead than any we leave behind- C.S. Lewis