Deciding to have any type of surgery is never easy. If you had told me even a year ago that I would have chosen this path, I would have said 'No way, is that ever going to happen.' In fact when it was mentioned previously by doctors as an option I said 'No. Not happening.. ever.' However.. somehow, not entirely sure when.. I changed my mind.
I found myself seeking out a surgeon for advice after several years of physio-therapy (which didn't work) and further scans, which showed that my spondylolithesis was progressively getting worse. I went to the appointment very nervous. On the one hand, I was scared that I would be told surgery was not possible in my case, meaning I would have to live with this pain for the rest of my life (which considering I'm 22, that would suck) and on the other hand, I was worried that they would say 'yes lets do it' and I would both be relieved and then have to face the idea and risks of surgery. They did in fact say yes, and this leads me to now, a couple of days before I go into hospital.
For anyone who is wondering quite what spondylolithesis is, you can click the link or in basic terms, it is where the vertebra slips out of position usually in the lower spine. It can be both a birth defect and from Injury/trauma. A lot people don't know they have it as it never affects their day to day life. However being quite an active person - I love walking, hiking, swimming, dancing and so much more - It did affect me. I found I was in so much pain and nobody quite knew why. After being properly diagnosed at 16, I tried physio-therapy for years thinking that it would help but it didn't. In fact everytime I did a lot of exercise, it felt worse. Eventually I was in pain on days where I had done absolutely nothing. I can't actually remember the last time I went for an hours walk and wasn't in pain or laid in bed at the end of the day actually feeling comfortable.
The main question I want to answer for anyone in the same position as I have been is - When should you say yes to surgery?
Everyone is different but overall if the condition is stopping you from living your life the way you want to and you have tried all the alternatives offered, then you should consider it. If your doctor/nurse/surgeon doesn't agree, get another opinion and then another one again. I almost wish I hadn't taken the first opinion I got because years later, I saw him again and he referred me to a specialist who asked me How in the world, I had been living with it for so long!? - my answer was, I didn't think I had a choice - but I do and I'm making it. I am in no way saying that it should be a fleeting decision made blindfolded but at the end of the day if you ask yourself - 'Can I do everything I want to, with how I am now?' and the answer is no, then theres a big decision to make and only you can make it.
I hope this helps anyone out there and shares a bit about my thought process to come to this decision.
Ttfn
Hannah
xoxo
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