Diagnosis

Because there isn't much awareness of scoliosis, not many people know the symptoms or how to diagnose it. The first time me and my mum noticed something wasn't quite right was when I went for a clothes fitting. My mum noticed that my right shoulder fell forward a little and the blade was protruding further than the left one. Now, I'm quite a slim person and being able to see my bones is normal, but the blade was protruding quite alot. We went to see the doctor and she examined the shoulder, then my whole back. The reason the shoulder was protruding was because of the scoliosis. The typical test to identify scoliosis is to stand with your back to a parent/family member who is sitting down, then bend to touch your toes. if the back has an unusual bump, hump or curve it is best to go and see a doctor and have an official diagnosis. The sooner scoliosis is diagnosed the more options you'll have for treatment.

If you have any questions or areas of scoliosis you would like me to discuss please leave it in the comments and I'll write what i can from my research and experience. Also check out my twitter @Erica_Rose_34_

Deciding on Surgery

Although the surgery was highly recommended for the severity of the curve it was completely my choice. Originally I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, so I was referred for a back-brace. I was very positive going into the fitting, but after a few months of wearing it for around 20 hours a day we decided that the back brace was the wrong option for me. I was growing to quickly which meant even just a few days after a re-fitting I was in pain and highly uncomfortable wearing the brace. For most people the brace stops the curve progressing and lets them lead a pain free life, unfortunately I'm not a part of most people. By this point the top curve was putting alot of pressure on the muscles in my back and causing me pain, even if I was just sitting in a chair at school. After some long talks with my parents and the consultant, and plenty of tears, I decided that surgery was my best option for my future. Next was the job of picking the best time for surgery, the date I was given in the waiting list was in April. I had to decide whether to have this date and have crucial time out of school before my final examinations (GCSEs) or to wait until the summer. The problem with waiting for the summer was I wouldn't be healed enough when I started college. That was the main thing that swayed me towards April, I start my animal management course in September and by then I will be well healed. However full healing from this operation takes 12 months. Luckily I was well enough to participate in my exams when they started and I have managed to complete them all. Deciding to have surgery was the right thing for me, but it took alot of discussion and is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Introductions

My name is Heather. In 2009, at the age of 14, I was diognosed with Scoliosis. Scoliosis is an un-natural curvature of the spine. When I was diognosed I had no idea what Scoliosis was. Through research I learnt that this condition effects around 1 in every hundred children and teenagers in the UK. More often than not the diognosis is of Idiopathic Scoliosis, this means there is no obvious or genetic cause to the condition. I have Idiopathic Scoliosis. This condition is most common in teenagers, developing as they undergo growth-sperts. By November 2010 the curve in the top of my spine had reached over 70 degrees.  Normally corrective surgery is not undergone until the patient reaches 18 and stops growing. However as my curve was over 50 degrees i was seen as a serious case. I was operated on April this year, at the age of 16. Now nearly 11 weeks on from surgery i have completed my GCSEs and am recovering well from the op. As you can see the difference after surgery is great. I feel so much better and have decided to start this blog to document the rest of my recovery and 'transformation' from school girl into college student and beyond. Also look up my Youtube account for vlogs and insights into my imagination and every day life, http://www.youtube.com/user/Hevs34?feature=mhee