My Life with Scoliosis

After wearing the brace for 6months, I had to go back to the hospital. I had to have some x-rays to see if the curve had grown. I already knew it had as I was in a lot more pain. I noticed that my ribs were digging into my hipbones. So sitting down was very uncomfortable. When they came back with my x-rays, I could tell he was about to tell me bad news by the look on his face. The doctor sat down and explained that I had developed 2 more curves - I know had 1 at the top, 1 in the middle, and 1 at the bottom. He said he would send for me to have an operation to straighten them out - corrective surgery. I was extremely disappointed that the brace had not worked.

My mom and dad told me all about the operation. I also did some research on the internet and books. In doing so I realised just how serious it was. Everyday I would look in the post to see if my appointment would be there. I felt sad when it wasn't, all I wanted now was just to be better, normal and have friends.

One day I came home from my Nan's and my brothers had gone out to play, there was just me and my mom in. She said that my appointment had come through. I was confused sad because I was scared of death, but happy as I thought I would finally be like other girls my age and accepted.

Then the day came. The day I had to go into hospital. When I arrived, they showed me around and explained what would happen. After that, I went to play in the playroom. When the doctors came to see me I had to go back to my bed. After looking at my notes he said he would come back in a minute, I thought nothing of it at the time. Then a play nurse can round and painted a lovely butterfly on my arm. When the doctor did come back he had made the decision to cancel my operation. This was due to my bladder problem. I cried a lot because I thought I would finally be normal, whatever that was. When I got home my mom gave me a card and a pink teddy. She said she was going to them to me when I came out of theatre.

The next time I went to the hospital the doctor said that my back was a lot worse than expected. He put me on the emergency waiting list to have the operation. I was so glad when the appointment did come through as the pain and discomfort was unbearable. I remember I had to go in on the 22 nd and I had my operation on the 23 rd January 2001. At which stage I was 10years old.

When I went into hospital I was crying because I thought I was going to die, and never see my family again. The ward was really nice. The doctors and nurses made me laugh all the time. When the doctor came round he had to take some blood. He was surprised when I did not cry, but I was used to them by then. About 5minutes later my mom called me out of the playroom. There was a girl on the ward who was scared to have a needle. I showed her my little cut and told her not to worry, “I wont hurt at all” I tried to assure her. Her name was Nicola, and we were both having the same operation. We promised to be friends and help each other through it. After finishing the horrible dinner I got ready for bed, and watched some T.V. I wasn't that scared because my mom was sleeping right next to me in a chair.

The next morning the nurses woke me up at 6:30 so I could have a shower, and wear a plastic band around my arm. They also made me put on a theatre gown, and some paper pants which were horrible. My mom was trying to make me laugh, but she wasn't getting anywhere. So we just hugged each other, until the nurse came round and gave me an injection to help me to relax. I remember my mom saying that she needed one as well. I had to get into bed just after as I felt a it drowsy. My mom was holding my hand and rubbing my hair. The doctors wanted to take me down to theatre, but I wouldn't go until I had my teddy (whom I'd forgot) Daffy Duck. My y and Auntie Kerry brought him. The next thing I remember was 2 men pushing me down a corridor. I could hear someone crying, I think it was my mom. I went into theatre at 8.00 and I came out 21.30.