For those who are needing a spinal fusion due to scoliosis, I thought I would write out some things I have learnt from before the operation and in the proceeding years since I have had it . These are mainly from my own experience and so they may not apply to you as every ones operation and recovery will vary. I hope some of these can help you in any way and provide some needed support!
Before Hospital:
- Try and ensure you are as fit as possible and exercising frequently, you will need all the strength you can possibly have after the operation. Working on your core through abdominal exercises and cardio, as well as doing light weights will help you in the weeks after the operation where you cannot do much at all. Also try and include a lot of fibre in your diet, as all the medication in your system in combination with a lack of food will cause side effects such as constipation, so do what ever you can to help yourself!
Before Hospital:
- Try and ensure you are as fit as possible and exercising frequently, you will need all the strength you can possibly have after the operation. Working on your core through abdominal exercises and cardio, as well as doing light weights will help you in the weeks after the operation where you cannot do much at all. Also try and include a lot of fibre in your diet, as all the medication in your system in combination with a lack of food will cause side effects such as constipation, so do what ever you can to help yourself!
Hospital Stay:
- A lot of what you think you will use in hospital, you really won't! I know I took things like my iPod and books, but I ended up just watching TV once I wasn't sleeping constantly. You should take some lip balm and moisturiser for your face and lips as they will get dry due to the environment. I also got really hot being surrounded by so many pillows, so my mum had lots of cold face washers for me which I would use sporadically to help me feel refreshed.
- Some people take a laptop, but I didn't and don't think I would have been up to using one. I was a bit slower than most people in my recovery, but I felt there wasn't much need for me to use one. My mum and sister just updated family and friends of how I was by text until I was feeling well enough to do so.
- All those clothes you think you will need, you won't. I used two pairs of pyjamas (accidentally got toothpaste all down the front of one) and then I changed into a different top to leave hospital in. That was it! Though I would recommend taking slippers with good gripping support to ensure you don't fall when you begin to walk again, as well as some socks and some underwear unless you feel like wearing a hospital gown and hospital underwear for your stay!
- In my case I just ate whatever the hospital gave me and I actually enjoyed most of my meals once I started eating properly at about 3 days post-op. However, if you think taking things you like to eat into hospital will encourage you to eat, then feel free to take your favourite foods in. I did have some lollies with me which I ate on my last day in hospital, and mum bought me a cheesecake and dinner one day as she was proud of how I was recovering.
- I got my mum to write some journal entries for me so I would know what happened to me in case I forgot. I love reading over what she wrote, and I even wrote a big entry on my second last day. Even almost three years on since having the operation I still like seeing how far I have come and what I went through to get to where I am.
- I wouldn't recommend visitors at the start of your hospital stay besides family. I know I wasn't in the mood for visitors, and even when my Dad and sister visited the day after surgery I just slept as I was too exhausted, and to this day I can't remember if I said anything to them whilst they visited. It wasn't until the third day after surgery that I had the energy to partially talk to my visitors.
- Make sure you have a pillow or two for the car ride home. Not only do they make things more comfortable, but you need them when going over bumps in the road. I also had handles above my seat which I held on to around corners which helped me a lot.
- If having problems, press the call button and make sure to keep on top of your pain! On my first night on the ward after being in ICU I had some extreme side effects from the morphine, and without my mum informing the nurses on my behalf I may not have received such immediate help. One day I also started to develop bad pain and I didn't want to disturb the nurses, with the pain getting to the point that I cried and I had to press the buzzers. The nurses won't be upset with you if you have actual problems that need attention!
Home stay:
- If you need more medication, don't be afraid to go to the doctors for another prescription. I found going to my doctors when I was just about to run out of tablets was the best solution to ensure I always had a supply of tablets.
- Make sure you have your room set up before you go into hospital. I had all my pillows already positioned (I think I had about five pillows for sleeping) and I got a stool to help me into bed. Try and reduce clutter as well and ensure there are no tripping hazards! Do what you can to ensure you don't have to stress to much after the operation and make things you need often easy to access as bending and twisting is not recommended for the first few months after the operation.
- Showering I found was very tiring! If you need to perhaps get a chair or rail in the shower to help you then make sure to get the required supplies you need.
- I have found keeping warm stopped my back from going into spasm. My Nanna bought me a heat wheat which is really nice, and helps prevent shivering which due to being autumn/winter in the beginning of my recovery was much needed. Also make sure you have a lot of warm pyjamas, a dressing gown and socks if it is winter as you will live in them! For me, warm showers where and still have been almost three years on one of the greatest pain relievers! Obviously if your recovery is throughout summer these suggestions may not be as beneficial.
- Once you get the all clear to be active, exercise as much as your physical capabilities enable you to. I have found being active hurts at first, but gradually the pain is easing. I have now achieved results I doubted I could ever reach after this operation, so just persevere and don't let the pain you may feel stop you from achieving your goals!
Stay positive! Every month and year that passes you will notice amazing improvements and realise you are getting better always x
- Once you get the all clear to be active, exercise as much as your physical capabilities enable you to. I have found being active hurts at first, but gradually the pain is easing. I have now achieved results I doubted I could ever reach after this operation, so just persevere and don't let the pain you may feel stop you from achieving your goals!
Stay positive! Every month and year that passes you will notice amazing improvements and realise you are getting better always x
