June 1998
My first doctor appointment with my family doctor after my Grandma (a nurse practitioner) noticed my clothes didn't fit right and my spine looked abnormal. My doctor ordered x-rays and I learned just how bad my degree was. I was in total shock, and broke down crying in the doctor's office.
August 1998
My parents and I talk with my Scoliosis doctor and we learn the facts about Scoliosis. I hated this doctor because he was very impersonal and made everything seem horrible. He made me look at all of the bad things that could happen to me, and wouldn't let me leave the room because he believed that I had to hear all of it to get the best results in the end.
I start 6th grade and go to get my first brace molded. I was nervous about wearing nothing in front of the doctor except a little shirt and my underwear. I freaked out when he molded my body because I couldn't breathe or move. I remember seeing a finished brace under the table when I was changing and I asked myself, "That can't be what a brace looks like." It was soo ugly and looked like an unfinished peice to a robot. The brace that I have is called a Scoliosis Jacket. (
*It is made of hard plastic and to tighten it, you use velcro! Very uncomfortable!!)*
Third doctor appointment, I get my brace. I talked to my teacher and had her explain to the class what was happening with me so the other kids wouldn't ask me so many questions. When I first tried on the brace, I couldn't stand it. It was sooo uncomfortable and I knew that there was no way I could go through with it. For those of you who have never worn a brace, it is probably one of the hardest things that a person would have to go through, but in the end it is worth it and makes you a stronger person. I remember not being able to breathe in it and it was very painful and hard to move in. I always sat abnormally straight and I couldn't stand looking at myself in the mirror with it on. I cried everyday for the whole month of August. Life seemed to end for me.
November 1998
This was probably the most nervous-wrecking doctor appointment I ever experienced. It was my 3-month checkup to determine wether or not my spine had improved, stayed the same, or worsened with bracing. This would determine wether or not I needed surgery, something i feared even more than the brace. I was so determined to wear my brace religiously so I wouldn't need surgery, that it paid off. The x-rays showed that my curve actually improved. This great news gave me the drive to continue to wear my brace.
November 1998 - April 2001
All of my annual checkups revealed that the curve had not gotten worse. This is soo rewarding for me and my family to know that all my hard work paid off.
In April, I finally go back to get a new brace. This time, it isn't such a traumatic experience. I haven't had a new brace since 6th grade ( i'm in 9th grade now )and obviously I have grown quite a lot since then. It's a little small! :)
July 2001
I picked up my new brace today! It is a lot longer and a little bit uncomfortable. It will take me a while to get use to, so I will still where my old one. I never thought I would get used to my old brace so much! At least this appointment wasn't as traumatic as my first!! |
