It does get better . . . .

That is what I wrote to someone on the scoliosis forum today. I remember pre-op how I wished and dreamed for the day when I could be that person giving advice and reassuring others going through the surgery that it WILL get better. Congratulations to me! :) I am.

I am 11 weeks post-op today. I go back to work and the university in 2 weeks and am kind of nervous. I'm nervous for my teaching schedule, consisting of a solid 4-hour block of classes. I'm nervous about having to tell all the newbie graduate students, "I had back surgery" when they ask me unknowingly, "So, what did you do this summer?" I'm nervous for all the adjustments that I will need to make and I am nervous about how the professors will react to me. I'm really not looking forward to stupid questions like, "So, are you all better now?" I want to educate people about this surgery, but really I find that no matter what you say, unless you are a scoli or take care of a scoli post-op, you're just not going to get it fully.

With all that being said, I am grateful that my surgery went so well (with only a few complications) and that I have the ability to go back and continue on with my life, hopefully for the better. Would I say that I made the right choice by having surgery? I'm not at the point where I can say that confidently because of the pain and trials I'm still experiencing, but I DO know that one day soon, I will be able to tell you that I made the right choice. For now all I can say to any scolis straight out of surgery or those considering it, it does get better. I promise!