Melissa's Story
I was twelve years old when I walked into my pediatrician’s office with sinus problems. It was just a quick visit, which would normally result in a prescription for some nasal spray, but that day was a bit different when my doctor told me to get an x-ray since I had scoliosis. I was stunned and in awe since I'd never heard the term, let alone knew I had it. Was my mom's warnings all those years when she told me to sit up straight at the table true? X-ray after x-ray resulted in less than positive news and I soon had to start wearing a brace. I got lecture after lecture everywhere I went, "wear the brace or you'll regret it" was all I heard. But at the same time, I heard all this from people who barely experienced Orthodontia let alone a full thoracic brace.
At this point, I was fed up and became depressed. My clothes couldn't fit me, I caught weird looks from people when they saw the brace under my clothes and I always declined seats since they were either extremely uncomfortable or I couldn't fit in them. It wasn't completely terrible though, in fact I met a friend through my frequent visits to doctor Lonner's office who loved her brace. She told me it took away the pain and made her happier than she ever was before. I was so happy she felt great but at the same time, it didn't help me and my problem.
Eventually I avoided my brace and would hide from it, using every excuse in the book to not wear it.
Before
After
With my stubborness it wasn't any surprise that my curvature progressed from 34 degrees to 47 and would be needing Spinal fusion surgery to correct it. At this point I was 15 and I looked back on the past 3 years I spent and what I'd already been through, I knew I had to take responsibility for what I'd done and prepare for the surgery. The morning of the surgery I checked into the hospital and started to freak but I knew I was in good hands. I said a prayer and when I woke up I was in the Intensive Care Unit with my mother and father at my side. I can't remember too much, only that I was visited by Oprah Winfrey, who my mother still says was too busy to come; I still believe she came though.
Time went by and I won't lie, it was pretty hard but the pain subsided and my self esteem grew and grew and soon, I returned to the vibrant happy girl I was. It is now 7 months after my corrective surgery and my curvature has reduced to a perfect 0 degrees. Even now, whenever people ask me questions about my spine I have no problem talking about it, but instead of bringing back painful memories; I can recall it with a smile. For this, I have to thank Doctor Lonner for putting up with my visits as well as the surgery, thank you so much doctor!
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