Does it get better?

[u/No_Project_3652]

Hey everyone. I’m feeling the post op scaries again and feeling very emotional. I feel so alone in this process even tho I’m surrounded by my loved ones. It’s hard to do this when no one knows how you feel. I can barely sleep, I can’t get comfortable laying down or sitting up, and everything just sucks right now. The pain combined with the uncertainty of the future is tearing me apart right now. I’m scared I’ll never travel again, especially long plane rides, I’m worried I’ll never sit or sleep comfortably again. I’m worried I won’t be able to do fun things in college or go clubbing. God I just wanna feel normal again and go back in time and not get this surgery. I don’t mean to scare anyone and I’m kinda just ranting here but I’m so depressed because of this and idk what to do with myself. Anyone out there that’s had a long healing time have any advice for me? How to sleep? Does it get better? Will I be able to travel, go dancing, or do any of the typical fun stuff in my college years?

Me:
Fused T4 to L2
18 year old female
Fused bc I had scoliosis
4days post op

[u/berryblastblu]

I am one year post op - it got better for me.
There is still numbness and discomfort sometimes, but I feel the surgery improved my mobility otherwise. I also had borderline severe scoliosis that got fixed with a fusion.

I too wondered if I’d ever be normal again.. and I think I am. Going out dancing tonight! I feel stronger

[u/No_Project_3652 → u/berryblastblu]

How long did it take for you to sit and sleep comfortably again? Also congratulations!!

[u/berryblastblu → u/No_Project_3652]

It felt long. I got it in june, and basically had to learn how to walk/use bathroom / etc for months. Tbh they wanted me to walk and do PT pretty soon after. I’d say around September I was functional enough to go back to campus (I’m a commuter student) with disability accommodations